Chubby Chair by Dirk van der Kooij
Bold, sculptural, and just a little bit other worldly*—meet the Chubby Chair. Engineered by Dirk van der Kooij using his own extrusion robot, this chair exudes charm in every line and curve. Crafted from repurposed fridge plastics, it’s a one-of-a-kind statement of sustainable design. A museum‑grade icon with roots in low‑resolution 3D printing, it brings playful flair and environmental savvy to any modern space. Ideal for collectors who appreciate material honesty, Dutch creativity, and a chair that literally defies convention.
The Chubby Chair was van der Kooij’s first-ever furniture design—a bold debut that set the tone for his entire practice. Frustrated by the waste of industrial plastics, he built his own robot arm to melt and extrude recycled materials into thick, sculptural lines. Each piece takes shape in real time, with colour introduced sporadically into the mix, resulting in unique swirls, drips, and bands—no two chairs are ever quite the same. What started as an experiment in material reuse became a manifesto for a new kind of design: honest, imperfect, and entirely unforgettable.
Designed in 2012, the Chubby maintains an affectionate position in the standard collection. It is held in the permanent collections of the Vitra Design Museum and The Design Museum in London.
The Netherlands
