Jasmine Stein
My passion for design began after seeing how a simple idea through sketches can be transformed into a product that solves real world issues in a sustainable manner. As a designer, I’m passionate about ways in which we can incorporate unconventional materials and techniques into products, particularly biological and nature derived sources.
Email: jasmine@scottstein.com.au
PHYLA
Phyla is an algae bioplastic stool designed for the domestic living environment. The stool is comprised of an algae and PLA composite base and a recycled HDPE seat top. The design replaces petrochemical based furniture materials with biomaterials and circular end of life processes.
Designed by Jasmine Stein
CONTEXT
Every year 30,000 tonnes of furniture waste end up in Australian landfills due to overconsumption and material toxicity. These toxic materials pose recycling difficulties and often leach chemicals into the soil and waterways, affecting plants and wildlife. As a result, I have been encouraged to adopt sustainable practices and utilise regenerative material sources that foster a circular economy. Algae is one natural resource gaining traction due to its newfound manufacturing capabilities. It poses many environmental benefits because of its abundance, fast growth, carbon sequestration and natural biodegradation.
Utilising algae as a manufacturing material enables the designer to significantly reduce petrochemical products. The organic and wavy flow of the design replicates the free flowing nature of algae and highlights the potential for future furniture biodesigns.
Once its end of life is reached, the stool is disassembled. Both the algae base and recycled plastic seat top can be 100% reused by shredding the components down and remoulding them into a new product.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Stool base: algae and PLA composite
Seat top: Recycled HDPE (translucent & opaque) and algae bioplastic pellets
Footrest: Recycled HDPE
BIOMATERIAL COMPOSITION
ERGONOMIC SEAT TOP
Dip in seat surface provides a comfortable area to sit on and a groove in the underside make it easy for the user to pick up the stool
Phyla is available in 3 sizes
Low stool (480mm)
Counter stool (650mm)
Bar stool (750mm)
SIZE RANGE
30˚ torque of the fluted body provides strength, distributes weight evenly and visually links to algae as a growing organism. The form itself was inspired by the shape of algae under a microscope
DYNAMIC FORM
