Contour collection brings 3D printing into the process

There are still a few qualms here and there but we can say that 3D printing has definitely brought something different to several industries. Furniture design and production is one such industry that has been affected in one way or another. It has increased customization, reduced material waste, brought faster prototyping and the ability to create more complicated and complex designs. Chair design and production in particular has benefited from this and this latest collection by a British designer proves why it’s importtant.

Unveiled with quiet confidence and sculptural elegance, the CONTOUR Collection by Charles Birshaw represents a seamless blend of artistic vision and cutting-edge manufacturing. Designed in collaboration with digital fabrication studio @decibelmade, the collection’s debut brings a fresh perspective to sustainable luxury seating. Inspired by the grace of flowing fabric draped over a permanent structure, the CONTOUR Collection captures a sense of movement frozen in time.

Designer: Charles Birshaw

The lounge chair and side chair that make up this debut offering are defined by sculpted surfaces, floating cantilevered arms, and inviting seat cushions—each element tracing a deliberate path that balances elegance and clarity. The chairs’ profiles evoke a joyous interplay between tension and release—the suspended arms appear to float, while the base grounds the design in a poised visual equilibrium. The result is furniture that feels light yet grounded, modern yet timeless. At the heart of the collection lies a design philosophy rooted in simplicity and reduction.

Each chair is formed from three key component. You have a seamless structural surface that hugs the user’s body. Then you get floating armrests for comfort and design contrast. Lastly, you have formed seat cushions that enhance usability without disrupting the sculptural purity. This triadic design achieves a striking harmony between innovation and familiarity, reflecting Birshaw’s vision of merging elegance with purpose.

This collection was also created with sustainability at its core. Thanks to robotic 3D printing, the CONTOUR Collection embodies a new approach to sustainable manufacturing. Chairs are produced from long-lasting, circular, and sustainable materials. You also don’t have any excess inventory or wasted energy. To top that off, four chairs can actually be printed in around five hours. The process not only minimizes waste but also challenges traditional limitations of furniture production, proving that sustainability and sophistication can coexist.

More than just a pair of chairs, this collection marks a shift in how we think about furniture—from how it’s made to what it represents. It offers a vision of the future where thoughtful design and advanced fabrication techniques work hand in hand to deliver pieces that are functional, beautiful, and forward-thinking. In the hands of a designer like Charles Birshaw, and with collaborators like @decibelmade, 3D printing becomes a vehicle for storytelling, sustainability, and sculptural elegance. And if the CONTOUR Collection is any indication, the future of furniture is not only printed—it’s profoundly inspired.