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horgenglarus launches a new edition of its ‘Classic’ chair with fagusnoir
19.06.2025 fagusnoir is a BFH spin-off that produces colour-changed beech wood. In collaboration with the furniture factory horgenglarus, it has now launched its first product: a special edition of the ‘Classic 1-383’ chair in fagusnoir beech wood. Behind fagusnoir are two wood engineers and BFH alumni, Gabriel Köferli and Lars Zinniker.
Key points at a glance
- horgenglarus has launched a special edition of its ‘Classic 1-383’ chair with fagusnoir, a BFH spin-off.
- The chair’s beech wood has a greyish colour throughout, which was achieved through a chemical reaction with natural materials.
- This procedure stems from a research project at the Institute for Building Materials and Biobased Products.
Fagusnoir is a BFH start-up founded in 2022. Supported by the Timber Startup Incubator, it stems from a research project conducted by the Institute for Building Materials and Biobased Products. Beech wood is coloured grey throughout by a chemical reaction with natural materials, without the use of stain or varnish. “Our aim is to strengthen the value chain of local beech wood by refining it, and to help it regain popularity,” explains Gabriel Köferli.
The Special Edition of the horgenglarus ‘Classic 1-383’ is the first commercialised product with fagusnoir beech wood. The partnership with fagusnoir is unique in the hundred-year history of horgenglarus. “Collaborating with horgenglarus is a huge opportunity for us,” says Lars Zinniker. “We are eager to see how our product is received in the market.”
fagusnoir + Timber Startup Incubator
fagusnoir AG combines wood, design and technology. It all started with a research project involving refined beech wood. The name fagusnoir is derived from ‘fagus sylvatica’ (Latin for beech) and ‘noir’ (French for black) for the dark colouring.
Based in Biel, the startup specialises in classic carpentry and joinery work. The company supports its customers throughout the entire design and construction process with its qualified wood engineers and designers.
fagusnoir is also involved in wood research in collaboration with the Bern University of Applied Sciences. Its aim is to increase the value of domestic beech wood by refining it and strengthening the entire value chain.
Timber Startup Incubator
The Timber Startup Incubator (TSI) is a hub and gateway for entrepreneurial initiatives with wood as a material. It connects stakeholders, develops project consortia for start-ups and supports them with funding applications. It also identifies and supports talent with the help of partners from industry and research. It is also tasked with organising events, increasing visibility and promoting young talent towards the sustainable use of wood as a raw material. Through its work, the TSI strengthens the timber and construction industry with innovative intra- and entrepreneurs. In this way, it contributes to making the industry fit for the future. The sponsors of the TSI are the Bern University of Applied Sciences, Lignum Bern, S-WIN and the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne.
