Sea me now: Studio Nienke Hoogvliet reveals new design collection

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Thank you for signing up to Wallpaper. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Where beach-goers may see bothersome seaweed, Dutch designer Nienke Hoogvliet sees opportunity.
For the past two years, Hoogvliet has studied the materiality and sustainability of seaweed from her conceptual design studio in Delft, the Netherlands. Focusing on the potential of seaweed as textile, Hoogvliet created a natural sea algae yarn, which formed the basis of her first project, a hand-knotted rug dubbed 'Sea Me'.
That was just the start of Hoogvliet’s exploration into all that seaweed has to offer – after the success of the algae-based yarn, she broadened the scope of her research, embracing a zero-waste approach to her designs. This has culminated in her latest release – the 'Sea Me' collection, which brings seaweed directly into the living room.
The collection is made up of a chair, table and bio-plastic bowls, each of which utilise a part of the seaweed-textile production process. The woven chair, which is comprised of a simple, pale-green tubed frame, is backed by a soft seaweed yarn, dyed with seaweed pigment.
'Natural dye with seaweed offers a wide variety of colours,' Hoogvliet says of the dying process, which, depending on the seaweed, offers a colour range from greens and browns to pinks and purples. 'Every type of seaweed gives a different colour. The light fastness of the dye is proven to be more than qualified.'
The waste from these processes is then repurposed into a paint, which coats the collection’s tabletop, and bio-plastic used to create the earthy, decorative bowls. This collection is the next step for Hoogvliet, who 'would love to see a future with a more sustainable textile industry and full use of the seaweed potentials'.
The woven chair, which is comprised of a simple, pale-green tubed frame, is backed by a soft seaweed yarn, dyed with seaweed pigment
’Natural dye with seaweed offers a wide variety of colours,’ Hoogvliet says of the dying process, which, depending on the seaweed, offers a colour range from greens and browns to pinks and purples
The waste from these processes is then repurposed into a paint, which coats the collection’s tabletop, and bio-plastic used to create the earthy, decorative bowls
This collection is the next step for Hoogvliet, who ’would love to see a future with a more sustainable textile industry and full use of the seaweed potentials’
INFORMATION
For more information, visit Studio Nienke Hoogvliet’s website
Photography: Femke Poort
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Paula Rego’s decade of self-discovery is the subject of a new London exhibition
Paula Rego’s ‘Letting Loose’, at Victoria Miro in London, considers the artist’s work from the 1980s
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Pixel House unites a graphic identity and contemporary living in Kuwait
Pixel House by AGi architects brings together contemporary minimalism and a bold graphic approach to Kuwait living
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Seven minimalist watches to invest in now
These minimalist watches are united by a focus on clean design and technical excellence, for timeless style
By Thor Svaboe Published
-
Dutch Design Awards 2021 winners show design’s ‘power to change’
The Dutch Design Foundation announces the eight winners of the Dutch Design Awards 2021, including textile company ByBorre, emerging designer Audrey Large and Dutch nature reserve the Marker Wadden
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
World View: Letter from The Netherlands
Our World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Dutch designers have taken the opportunity to reset and move towards a more sustainable future, writes Yoko Choy from Amsterdam.
By Yoko Choy Last updated
-
Remembering master joiner Ejnar Pedersen (1923-2020)
Ejnar Pedersen, one of Danish midcentury modernism’s most prolific craftsmen, passed away last month, aged 97. To pay our respects, we bring you the following article, that was first published in the May 2014 issue of Wallpaper* (W*182)
By Natalia Rachlin Last updated
-
Slice of life: exploring modern relationships through the medium of cake
By Alice Morby Last updated
-
In memoriam: Wim Crouwel (1928-2019)
By Elly Parsons Last updated
-
Shining examples: the winners of the 2016 Dutch Design Awards announced
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Physical finds: Julien Rademaker opens Amsterdam interior design salon
By Sara Sturges Last updated
-
And the winners are... Dutch Design Awards reveal victors
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated