Renaud Defrancesco Turns Potato and Sawdust Waste into the Briket Stool

Renaud Defrancesco Briket stool

Briket is an innovative, eco-friendly stool created entirely from potato and sawdust scraps. Conceived by Swiss designer Renaud Defrancesco, the project debuted at Salone del Mobile 2024, where its raw materiality and surprising sturdiness captivated audiences.

Inspired by pellet production, the Briket Stool is fully recyclable and can even be burned as firewood for heating during cold seasons — closing its own material lifecycle. The nine-legged design emerged from Defrancesco’s research into repurposing waste from local industries, transforming discarded byproducts into functional, durable furniture.

Collaboration and Testing

Renaud Defrancesco collaborated with designer Anne Bertoncini, conducting over 30 tests to ensure the stool’s structural integrity and longevity. The experimentation phase focused on balancing density, weight, and texture to achieve both resilience and a unique tactile quality.

Production Process

The Briket Stool is produced by compressing sawdust and wood waste with surplus potatoes from the food industry. It remains unpainted, showcasing the natural texture of its composite material. Because of its simple production method, the stool can be manufactured locally — directly at sawmills or carpentry workshops — wherever wood waste is abundant.

Exhibition and Recognition

Renaud Defrancesco Briket stool is at Salone del Mobile 2024, Briket was featured in the “OUT OF THE WOODWORKS” exhibition by the Swiss design gallery NOV, organized by Pro Helvetia Design. The showcase emphasized the versatility and evolving role of wood in contemporary design.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a visual designer whose work blends clarity, rhythm, and storytelling. Between Berlin and Lisbon, he creates across print, motion, branding, and immersive 3D environments.