Reform: Upholstery Beyond Foam

Reform presents an invisible revolution: redefining the materials we use to build comfort inside sofas. To eliminate the use of polyurethane foam, sheets of recycled textiles and metal coils are assembled to the frame without the use of glue. The design focuses on comfort, disassembly and thoughtful construction to develop a new and responsible approach to upholstery—one that you can’t see.

Polyurethane foam, the industry standard for softness, is made from non-renewable fossil fuels and is nearly impossible to recycle once glued into layered constructions. Reform offers an alternative: a modular seating system built from recycled textile panels from Haack Recycling, supported by a spring-based structure. These components are mechanically fastened, not bonded, allowing full disassembly for repair or recycling. Instead of relying on niche craft or speculative materials, the project is rooted in accessible supply chains and scalable processes like CNC milling—making it both sustainable and feasible to produce.