All JOVA community members will have read the interview with eminent young South African furniture designer, Ryan Frank , whose latest fabulous creation, ‘Isabella’, was launched at the London Design Festival this September. It's an ingenious totem pole style stacking stool made from straw and wool. Drawing inspiration from traditional hand carved African seating, but wanting to avoid the use of exotic hard woods, the stools are made from a solid section of Strawboard.

 

‘Strawboard’ is a sustainable formaldehyde-free material made entirely from compressed straw. The straw profile is then wrapped in 100% felted wool, making a more comfortable, tactile product, and also allowing for a broad range of earthy colours.

The stools can be stacked on top of each other when not in use, allowing for efficient use of space, as well as creating a striking totem pole structure.

Further material additions to the range will include bamboo and natural rubber, as well as a lounger style chair made in the same style and materials.
Ryan is one of 7 designers selected to showcase his work at Eco Age Ltd, a new cutting-edge eco retail shop in Chiswick West London, selling everything from furniture and lighting to cosmetics and solar gadgets whilst also offering an interior design service and eco consultancy. The store will convert itself into a showroom during the London Design Fair, where it will exhibit contemporary green chairs for the duration of the festival under the theme of ‘ Alternative sitting’