THE HYGROSHAPE concept chair, developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart, in Germany, relies on the intrinsic qualities of wood to transform-on its own-from one form to another. After slicing a tree into planks, the team uses software to analyze its grain and water content and anticipate how the wood will bend as it naturally dries out. The planks are assembled into a flat piece and wrapped in moisture-trapping packaging. Once a customer unboxes it, the chair shapes itself into a stylish lounger over the course of 8 to 12 hours. Lead researcher Dylan Wood says that applying this technique to furniture is just the start: Using it for “building components [is] much more practical,” he says. Wood and fellow lead researcher Laura Kiesewetter spun out a company, Hylo…
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Fast Company (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2022