Mat Armchair Wood (front upholstery) from Normann Copenhagen

Mat is a chair collection that ingeniously leverages highly renewable, durable materials of hemp and eelgrass, a type of seaweed, as superior alternatives to traditional 3D shell chair materials. Hence the name, Mat, a reference to the material innovation at the core of the design. Rooted in the principles of reduce, re-use, and recycle, the Mat collection aims to revolutionize conventional furniture production methods through minimizing environmental impact, repurposing production waste, and facilitating end-of-life recycling.

With innovation and circularity at its core, Mat is an exploration of how to create a contemporary shell chair with materials that have a lower environmental impact than the industry norm. Designed by Danish design studio Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, this new chair design is the result of years of research and development.

Normann Copenhagen is now expanding its pioneering Mat Chair collection with a chair with a wooden base, which makes the series even more versatile and remains true to its line of resource-saving design.

A natural evolution in materials

The new wooden base for Mat Chair is crafted from FSCTM certified (FSC-C163461) beech and beech from other controlled sources, offering a lower environmental impact compared to traditional metal bases. This addition aligns with Normann Copenhagen’s original ambition: To create a conventional 3D shell chair with materials and processes that have a lower environmental footprint than the industry norm.

“It’s been a priority from the beginning to offer a wooden alternative to the steel base,” explains Søren Stryhn Petersen, CTO and lead product engineer. “Wood not only lowers the overall environmental impact but also complements the chair’s natural material story.”

The new wooden base iterations are crafted using durable, lacquered beech plywood, available across the entire collection. The bar versions of the chair feature a convenient footrest ring in powder coated steel for added comfort and stability, available in either Cream or Black.

Decades of innovation realized

Designed by Peter Hiort-Lorenzen from renowned Danish design studio Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, the Mat Chair is the culmination of over two decades of research and development. The new beech base maintains the sleek, minimalist silhouette of the original steel version, ensuring timeless design and durability.

Reflecting on the collection’s expansion, Peter notes: “Beech was chosen for its affordability, strength, and durability. The design mirrors the simplicity and functionality of the original powder coated steel version, fulfilling the vision I’ve had for this design since the 1990s.”

Circularity at its core

Like its steel counterpart, the wooden-legged Mat Chair is designed for disassembly and recycling. Components can be repurposed into new productions, supporting a fully circular lifecycle.

A versatile collection for diverse spaces

The expanded Mat Chair collection includes dining chairs,armchairs, and barstools, available in various configurations with hemp or hemp-eelgrass shells and optional upholstery. With bases now offered in either powder-coated steel or beech wood, the collection seamlessly adapts to restaurants, educational facilities, hotels, and private residences.