When we first met Erin Hayne and Nuno Gonçalves Ferreira at ICFF 2 years ago, we were impressed by their colour-changing floor tiles. Since then Visual Reference Studio has been working on a line of furniture that uses the thermochromatic technology first used in those tiles. The Swamp Collection fuses the thermochromatic material with soft organic forms, so that sitting on the Swamp bench lounge, Duckweed bench or Cypress stool will leave a temporary impression, in terms of colour change. These are sure to be the most popular seats in the house.

What led you to create your thermochromatic line?
From the beginning it was our intention to make work that interacts with the body and embraces the senses. We live in a society that discourages touch and treats it as taboo, yet touch is a fundamental part of the human experience. Integrating thermochromatics into these pieces gives people a chance to use touch in a creative, expressive way. We wanted to create an object with a sense of humor; something that made people smile, laugh, and come together.

The world is already full of 'stuff' – as designers, why do you choose to create more?
It’s true. The world already has lots of stuff, including plenty of amazing objects. But, life is richer when you’re surrounded by what you love and what brings you positive energy. If you think of something that can enhance life in this way, making it has a legitimate purpose. For us, it’s about making things that remind us that we are alive and that life is to be experienced.