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This Chair Was Made From Artichokes And Cooking Oil

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Dinner! Time to tuck into a delicious side-dish of artichokes while sitting comfortably on a chair... made of artichokes?

University of Edinbugh grad Spyros Kizis engineered a new material made from artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus)—a naturally occurring, resilient crop in his native Greece—mixed together with a bio-resin composed mostly of waste oil from cooking. Together, they form a thick, spreadable eco-plastic that's durable when dried and one-hundred-percent biodegradable.

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The familiar shell form is a staple of modern design, and the contrast of a smooth but organically flecked surface is a pretty nice touch. Although it's just a prototype for now, Kizis believes that locally minded steps like these could help kickstart the country's droopy economy, by shifting energies towards local resources and production.

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Check out the vid for a quick look at how Kizis made the whole thing happen, start to finish. [The Method Case]