Decibel’s Circular-Material 3D Printed Chair

At first glance, this chair appears to be wicker.A closer look reveals it isn’t: It’s been 3D-printed from Filaflex, a bio-based and compostable filament developed by Italian material science company Balena. The chair was designed and fabricated by New-Jersey-based Decibel, a manufacturer of sustainable furniture.This chair explores a new direction in furniture design shaped by circular bio-based materials, acoustic intelligence, and robotic large-format additive manufacturing. The project pairs an expressive, sculptural form with a material and production system designed for real-world use and scalability. Designed for large-format additive manufacturing, Filaflex supports strong, stable structures while enabling the design freedom of robotic printing. Its use challenges the assumption that high-performing furniture must rely on fossil-based plastics, proposing a credible, production-ready alternative. Robotic printing enables tool-free production, eliminating molds and allowing rapid iteration. Controlled deposition strategies create structural ribbing that enhances durability and material efficiency. Functional and ergonomic, the chair is designed for comfort and stability in everyday use. The unnamed chair won a SIT Furniture Design Award, and is simply listed as “Circular-Material 3D Printed Chair.”My big question: Why no photos of the chair actually being, you know, sat in?