In the spotlight: Normann Copenhagen Mat Collection
Join our Managing Director Toni as she reflects on a recent trip to Normann Copenhagen to learn about their latest addition, the Mat Chair Collection.
Blending tradition with innovation
The launch of the Normann Copenhagen Mat Chair Collection resonated deeply with me. As a self-confessed introvert, the materiality of the chair pulled me out of my comfort zone. The UK launch saw the collection showcased in The Old Session’s House on Clerkenwell Green. The location, with sustainability at its core, showcases a sympathetically renovated period building that embraces the flaws and sees them as beautiful.
Did you know it is often proved to be more sustainable to renovate an old building than to build a new one?
A material like no other
The initial idea to turn a cellulose material into shell chairs began in the 1990s and took decades to perfect. The pioneering process is fascinating, utilising the stalk part of the hemp plant - known for its high CO2 absorption value, as well as resilience, durability, and versatility - and turning this hemp fibre into sheet mats.
These fibres are then bound together using a recyclable binder, compressed into shell shapes through a set of five mats, and each is hand-sanded and finished with a VOC-free linseed oil. This not only makes the products water-resistant but also provides a durable finish which can be self-maintained in the future.
The chairs have been tested to EN Level L2 for strength, stability, and durability, making them ideal for home and contract use.
The one-of-a-kind product is beautiful, a direct result of the manufacturing process, and the addition of eelgrass adds a deeper texture to the shell shade.
In Denmark, eelgrass is collected from the shores of Laeso, ensuring the plant’s vital role in its natural habitat remains undisturbed. Working with the Danish Institute the material was ready to be put into manufacturing and Normann Copenhagen was just the right fit.
The collection
The Mat collection features a dining chair, armchair and barstools. For those interested in a slightly different look, the shells can also be upholstered.
The base is kept simple, available in black or cream steel legs, emphasising the chair’s material as the focal point. The result is a material that is not only strong and aesthetically unique but also encourages you to find out more.
The collection has been designed with circularity in mind, and each item can be disassembled and recycled, highlighting the thoughtful consideration behind its creation.
It was a joy to experience the Mat collection and learn about the process. Making me think wider than the product and more about what sustainability means to me.
