Lightweight paper materials for furniture – A design study to develop and evaluate materials and joints

In this paper, conventional lightweight paper panels and paper tubes are analysed with respect to their suitability as furniture materials. In order to meet the growing demand of furniture industries to build light furniture, these two materials were tested and found to be suitable for creating very light constructions. Furthermore, increasing consumer demand to include sustainable materials in furniture-making is met by these two products. Joints between the two materials were developed and evaluated. It could be determined that specific adaptations are necessary in order to use paper materials for building furniture. The results of this study are a useful basis for developing construction principles between similar materials with other dimensions, e.g., for architecture.