Kapok

The Kapok series is a line of furniture prototypes made from treated Desert Cotton. Desert
Cotton is a fully developed material sourced from the native shrubs of Aerva Javanica or known
more traditionally as Tuwaim. The shrub is commonly found around sandy roadsides and beach
coasts around UAE. Desert Cotton has been intensively screened, dried and treated to be used as
stuffing for upholstery. The natural material uses exponentially less water since it adapts to saline
soil conditions and does not require the use of pesticides compared to other plant-based stuffing.
The innovation of the first plant-based stuffing in the UAE uncovers a deeply rooted practice of
using materials from the landscape. It proves an existing synchronous humble understanding of
the environment that allowed both the nomadic man and nature to thrive.
The Kapok series investigates how it can be contained in fabric. To control its free movement
within the fabric, it has been stuffed in tight sections of a draped cushion. The draped cushion
was used as a wrapped design element covering a steel frame. The resulting form provides an
elevated comfortable and soft plush seat that one can almost sink into.

Exhibited as part of Tanween at Tashkeel