SHRINX easy chair by Boris Berlin for +Halle revolutionizes sustainable furniture design by eliminating PU foam
The SHRINX easy chair, introduced in 2024 by Boris Berlin Design for +Halle, represents a transformative leap in sustainable furniture design. Addressing the environmental shortcomings of traditional upholstered furniture, this innovative piece abandons the widespread use of polyurethane (PU) foam—a material notorious for its petrochemical roots, limited recyclability, and environmental hazards.
PU foam, a staple in the furniture industry, is manufactured with isocyanates as a propellant, contributing to off-gassing, flammability, and eventual environmental degradation. Recognizing these challenges, the SHRINX Easy Chair offers a groundbreaking alternative. The chair’s design is anchored in its use of a revolutionary fabric that eliminates the need for PU foam entirely, setting a new standard for eco-conscious furniture production.
This material innovation not only improves the sustainability of upholstered furniture but also ensures durability and functionality without sacrificing comfort or aesthetic appeal. By doing so, the SHRINX Easy Chair marks a significant evolution in the design and manufacturing of everyday objects, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and high design can coexist seamlessly.
The mind behind this breakthrough is Boris Berlin, a distinguished designer born in 1953 in Leningrad. A graduate of the Higher School of Art and Industry in St. Petersburg, he began his career at VNIITE, where he designed an array of industrial products. Relocating to Denmark in 1983, he founded Boris Berlin Design and later co-founded Komplot Design in 1987 and Iskos-Berlin Design in 2010. His career spans product, furniture, exhibition, and graphic design, with a consistent emphasis on experimenting with new technologies and materials.
Boris Berlin’s contributions to design have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Thorvald Bindesbøll Medal from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and the lifelong Honorary Grant of the Danish Arts Foundation. Beyond his practice, he has curated exhibitions, led master classes, and shared his expertise as a keynote speaker at international design conferences.
All images courtesy of Boris Berlin Design, shared with permission
Boris Berlin Design: Website
