Alder Stool

Patricia Urquiola’s Alder Stool feels as though it’s fresh from the forest floor yet shaped by a deft, modern hand. The seat and legs are formed from Matek®, Mater’s own biodegradable composite made of recycled plant fibres bound into a smooth, stone-like mass that will eventually return to the earth. A slight dip at the centre cues an easy perch, while tapering legs push gently outward for steady footing without visual heft. Urquiola keeps the silhouette calm—no braces, no ornament—so the material’s speckled grain takes the spotlight in four grounded tones: sand, clay, moss, and charcoal. Slide one beside a low bookcase, pair two under a hallway console, or use a cluster around an impromptu drinks table; the stools stack neatly when space runs short and weather daily use with little more than a wipe-down. Timeless shape, circular-economy core—proof that eco-minded furniture can stand confidently on its own three legs.