R&D Project · Co-financed by MKiDN

The future is grown, not made.

Co-Balance is a research collection of furniture made from Strumber — a hemp biocomposite that stores more CO₂ than it emits. A study in carbon-negative material, inclusive design and human connection.

Key visual — prototype (photo to be added)
Manifesto

A revolt against chemistry in furniture.

Most furniture is built from glued, coated, formaldehyde-emitting boards that quietly burden both indoor air and the climate. Co-Balance asks the opposite question: can a table actively store carbon, contain no toxins, and bring people back to real conversation?

Strumber is our answer — and a stand against digital isolation and unhealthy interiors. Furniture designed not just to be sat at, but to rebuild human connection.

The material — Strumber

A plant that captures carbon, engineered into furniture.

up to −456
kg CO₂ eq / m³
GWP-total · full life cycle (net)
1,689
kg CO₂ / m³
Stored in dry raw material (gross)
Zero VOC
Non-toxic finishes
Healthy indoor air
Circular
Recyclable / compostable
End-of-life by design

Hemp is an annual plant: ready to harvest roughly 150 days from sowing, up to twice a year in European conditions. Per hectare it absorbs far more CO₂ than forest — about 18–26 t versus 4–5 t — and locks it into the material. Throughout its life cycle, Strumber stores more CO₂ than its production and transport emit, with direct point gains in LEED and BREEAM.

Figures follow the GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting standard. “GWP-total” is the net cradle-to-gate balance; “stored in dry raw material” is gross biogenic carbon. Final values are undergoing third-party verification.

Infographic — “From field to furniture” (annual-plant cycle, to be designed)
Inclusive design

Accessible by design — without stigma.

Co-designed from start to finish with people with mobility and visual impairments, and validated in usability tests with wheelchair users and visually impaired participants. Ergonomic study and technical drawings by Stefan Hamiga.

Right-angle focal layoutFollowing Robert Sommer’s research, seating at right angles generates up to six times more conversation than sitting face to face.
Proxemic distanceA ~90×180 cm top keeps 4–6 people at 70–110 cm — eye contact and equality, without the feeling of crowding.
Full wheelchair accessA single central leg and generous clearances allow barrier-free approach from every side.
Touch orientationAn asymmetric notch and haptic markers help visually impaired users navigate the table by touch.
DeafSpace principlesFully matte, glare-free surfaces and contrasting edges support sign language and lip-reading.
Ergonomics for standing upForward-sloping armrests and a rear rail give solid support for elderly and less mobile users.
Technical drawings & ergonomic schematics (to be added)
Usability testing — wheelchair & low-vision (photos to be added)
Table Talks

Conversations around the table.

A video series on design for nature, the psychology of space, acoustics and circular business — with guests Dagmara Dela, Anna Groń and Barbara Wawrzynek.

Every episode ships with closed captions (CC / SDH) and a full text transcript for WCAG 2.2 AA compliance.

Episode 1 · Available now

Table Talks — Episode 1

Now playing in the series above.

Episode 2 · Coming soon

To be announced

Guest & topic to be confirmed.

Episode 3 · Coming soon

To be announced

Guest & topic to be confirmed.

Episode 4 · Coming soon

To be announced

Guest & topic to be confirmed.

Episode 5 · Coming soon

To be announced

Guest & topic to be confirmed.

Prototypes

The Co-Balance Collection.

Built by our Master Joiner. Real prototype photography from the July 2026 session will replace the placeholders below.

Interaction Table (photo to be added)

Co-Balance Interaction Table

Oversized tables push people apart. A rounded, single-leg table pulls them together — accessible from every side, with a balance tray that invites cooperation.

Chair & Armchair (photo to be added)

Co-Balance Chair & Armchair

Two variants, with and without armrests. Backrest cut-outs aid orientation and hold a bag; forward armrests ease standing; an armless version allows active sitting.

Acoustic Panels (photo to be added)

Co-Balance Acoustic Panels

Modular Strumber panels soften open-plan noise toward a 45 dB comfort target — a plant-based alternative to synthetic foam, with no permanent renovation.

Toolbox for architects

Specify Strumber in your project.

A knowledge base for architecture and design studios. Files are being prepared and will be available for download here.

CAD / BIM files

RFA, OBJ and DWG for the full collection.

Available soon

PBR texture maps

4K material maps for photoreal visualisation.

Available soon

Research certificates

Emissions attest and Janka hardness (2,200 lbf).

Available soon

Strumber machining manual

Working guidelines for the biocomposite.

Available soon