philipp aduatz mixes 3D printed concrete and red resin for sinking chair at milan design week

Sinking Chair: A Reflection on Trauma and Resilience

The Sinking Chair, designed by Philipp Aduatz, integrates 3D printed concrete with tinted epoxy resin to create a visual contrast between rigid structure and fluid form. The design gives the appearance of a chair partially submerged in a pool of red, emphasizing the interaction between solid and liquid materials.

Inspired by the visual language of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, the piece explores the relationship between architectural geometry and organic fluidity. The concrete chair, with its defined lines, contrasts with the resin base, which creates the illusion of movement and dissolution. The project, presented at Milan Design Week 2025, examines themes of permanence and impermanence, with the rigid material representing stability while the resin suggests transformation.

all images by Paris Tsitsos

Philipp Aduatz experiments with materials for sculptural chair

The production process involves 3D printing the chair in concrete, followed by placement on a base plate composed of wood and glass fibers for structural reinforcement. Designer Philipp Aduatz embeds the chair in a mold, where tinted epoxy resin is poured to encase the structure. Once cured, the surface is sanded and polished to achieve a high-gloss finish that enhances both visual and tactile qualities.

The Sinking Chair will be exhibited at Isola Design Gallery during Milan Design Week, from April 7–13, 2025, at Basic Village, Via Dell’Aprica 12, Milan.

the Sinking Chair combines 3D-printed concrete with tinted epoxy resin

a visual contrast between rigid structure and fluid form

3D printed concrete forms the foundation of the chair

the chair appears partially submerged in a pool of red

a study in architectural geometry and organic fluidity

designed to emphasize the interaction between solid and seemingly liquid forms

concrete lines contrast with the resin’s illusion of movement

the chair is embedded in a mold for resin casting

tinted epoxy resin encases the structure

Philipp Aduatz sands and polishes the chair to achieve a smooth effect

project info:

name: Sinking Chair
designer: Philipp Aduatz | @philippaduatz

dimensions: 90 cm x 136 cm x 55 cm (W/D/H)

materials: 3D printed concrete, resin, wood, glass fibres

photographer: Paris Tsitsos | @paris_tsitsos

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom