Think Climate Chair

Imagine living through the hottest decade the world has ever experienced.
Well, guess what? We already have.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the past decade has seen record-breaking temperatures. 56% of the global population thinks about the climate daily or weekly—yet many people remain unaware of the looming climate crisis. Our group set out to challenge this indifference.

We were intrigued by materials that respond to heat. One such material was a thermochromic yarn that changes from black to white at temperatures above 30°C. We also experimented with various thermochromic pigments..

Our chair, titled ‘Think Climate’, is a rocking chair that reveals alarming facts about the climate crisis when someone sits on it. This effect is made possible by thermochromic pigments that react to body heat, turning from black to transparent to reveal hand-painted illustrations and facts about climate change. We also crocheted granny squares using thermochromic yarn to reinforce the narrative of handmade craftsmanship.

We intended to build on the contemplative nature of rocking, offering the user a moment of rest while subtly reminding them of their impact on the planet. As they rise and glance back at the chair, they are left with a visual imprint of the crisis we all play a part in.