A reinterpretation of Arper’s iconic Catifa 53, Catifa Carta’s bi-curved shell is made entirely from PaperShell, 29 sheets of paper bonded with a natural resin binder. PaperShell retains the carbon dioxide trees absorb throughout their lifecycle, and at the end of the chair’s life, the shell can be turned into biochar, permanently storing that carbon and enriching the soil it returns to. It is a rare example of a carbon-negative shell that remains highly functional for everyday interior use.

Beyond its inclusion in the exhibition, Catifa Carta’s acquisition for the NGV Collection marks an important milestone for Arper and Stylecraft, and recognises its contribution to contemporary conversations around material innovation, circularity and the environmental impact of design.