composite hemp and pineapple leaves form a light chair
Hemp chair, developed in Siam by Veronica Olariu, is a seating prototype that explores structural balance through plant materials and lightweight construction. The project combines cannabis fabric with pineappleply composite fiber to create a system where stability is achieved through compensation and tension rather than mass. THE chair it supports two modes of use, standing and reclining, while its curved shells guide body alignment.
The chair is made from renewable fibers and agricultural by-products. The seat shells are formed from a bio-composite material consisting of layered hemp fabric and a core of pineapple leaf felt. This material was developed in collaboration with materials engineer Dr. Jariyavadee Sirichantra, using pineapple leaves, a by-product of Thailand’s agricultural industry, as a structural component.
The shells are produced using resin transfer molding (RTM), a closed mold process that allows for controlled fiber saturation and consistent structural performance. This method also reduces material waste and limits emissions during manufacturing. The current prototype uses epoxy resin, with ongoing development aimed at transitioning to fully bio-based resin systems.
all images courtesy of Veronica Olariou
Balance replaces the mass in the hemp chair, formed by the tension of the rope
The structure of the chair is based on a compensation and tension system. A hemp rope stretches between thin wooden supports, keeping the composite shells in balance. This approach allows the structure to remain lightweight while maintaining stability, with all structural relationships clearly expressed. The design emphasizes legibility, allowing the interplay between tension and balance to remain apparent rather than hidden within the object.
The seat is defined by two curved shells that support different postures. Rather than acting as a soft armchair, the design engages the body through its geometry, encouraging an active sitting position. The form elongates the spine and distributes the weight through the stretched system.
The project continues on of the designer investigating structural balance using renewable materials and composite construction techniques. The combination of composite elements of hemp and thin wooden rods is based on principles related to weaving, where tension and alignment determine the structure. The Hemp Chair is to be presented during Milan Design Week 2026 as part of the No Space for Waste exhibition at the Isola Design Festival.
the chair’s profile reveals the visible compensation system that keeps the composite shells in balance
composite hemp shells, pineapple fiber core and thin wood supports are balanced by stretched rope
a structural system based on the relationship between composite shells, wooden elements and tension rope
