Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid

Sewn together from Concrete Canvas fabric, these stools were presented at the IMM Cologne D3 competition for young designers.

The Stitching Concrete stools are inspired by the contrasts of Concrete Canvas, a fabric previously impregnated with concrete that becomes moldable once drenched in water. The stools are created by folding this fabric, which once soaked can be manipulated for a few hours before hardening. A wooden mould supports the stool while drying within 24 hours. Before that, the edges have been stitched together with brightly coloured thread.

The material combines the warm softness of the cloth and the stability of the cold concrete, but the finished surface keeps the soft appearance. The project plays with the visual impression that cloth cannot have the strength to sit on. After the first tests on how to handle the material, Schmid tried different approaches to the stool, experimenting with patterns, stitchings, and different kinds of origami. For the final mock-ups thin foam rubber simulated the abilities of the real material. Consisting of cement layered between fabric and a PVC backing, the Stitching Concrete stools are extremely durable, UV, chemical and water-resistant, fireproof, and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid in Concrete Canvas: the material combines the warm softness of the cloth and the stability of the cold concrete

Florian Schmid, born in 1984, studied Industrial Design at the University of Munich. While still a student, he was an intern at Raw-Edges Design Studio in London and Schlagheck Design in Munich. Before embarking on his studies, he completed an apprenticeship in advertising and marketing at Munich´s Wächter & Wächter advertising agency and worked as a graphic designer for Studentenwerk München. His works were exhibited among others at London´s Design Festival, at the CHIC Art Fair in Paris and during the BODW in Hong Kong.

Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid: first tests

Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid: the stools are designed for indoor and outdoor use

Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid: final mock-ups thin foam rubber simulated the abilities of the real material as best

Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid: once the fabric, which is steeped in concrete, is given shaped and watered, it needs only 24 hours to harden and can then bear heavy loads

Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid

Sewn together from Concrete Canvas fabric, these stools were presented at the IMM Cologne D3 competition for young designers.

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