bucle
This project was developed as part of a mock design collaboration with Emeco, a company whose ethos is rooted in sustainability: “Begin with what’s left over. Turn it into what will last.” Inspired by this mission, the chair was designed to reimagine Emeco’s classic aesthetic through a fresh and thoughtful lens. By leveraging the 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually by the fashion industry, the design introduces an upholstered element that not only adds comfort and color but also gives new life to discarded materials, merging circular design with timeless form.
Types of fabric recycling
REPURPOSING “DEADSTOCK”
Deadstock fabric is surplus or unused fabric left over from previous production runs, often of high quality but unsold and often sent to landfills with the rest of the waste
sketch development
This chair’s design is inspired by a continuous, flowing line that begins at the armrest, loops past the back, and seamlessly transitions into the front leg. This dynamic through-line brings a playful energy to Emeco’s iconic square tube and visibly minimal construction.
MECHANICAL
Chemical-Free – No harsh solvents used.
Cost-Effective – Lower investment than chemical recycling.
Fiber Weakening – Shortens fibers possibly decreasing quality.
Color Restrictions – Dyes remain, limiting new color options.
Difficult with Blends – Hard to recycle mixed-fiber fabrics.
MECHANICAL
Mechanical fabric recycling is the process of breaking down textile waste into reusable fibers. This method involves shredding fabrics into smaller fibers, which can then be spun into new yarns to create new textiles.
BUCLE
Bucle, Spanish for loop, is inspired by the closed-loop philosophies of the book Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. One of its core principles is “Waste equals food”—in nature, waste from one organism becomes nourishment for another. Human systems should mimic this cycle. While Emeco already embraces this philosophy through its aluminum frames, this design extends it further to the upholstery.
CHEMICAL
Chemical fabric recycling uses chemicals to break down textiles, particularly synthetics like polyester, into reusable fibers.