The Kapok series culminates from extensive research on desert-cotton as a fully developed material. Desert-cotton is sourced from the cotton buds of a native, salt-tolerant shrub Aerva Javanica, known more traditionally in the region as 'Tuwaim' or 'Al Ara'. For upholstery applications, the cotton buds were intensively screened, dried and treated. Later investigations looked at how it could be contained within fabric. The material lent itself to be enclosed in tight cushion sections that were used as draped elements on a frame. The resulting form provides an elevated, comfortable and soft plush seat that one can almost sink into.

The material research that led to The Kapok series began with an investigation of how plant-sourced biodegradable fibres can be processed for use in a variety of applications. The main body of research also dealt with the way organic material was historically collected and harvested for medicine, food and crafts. Historically, the shrub’s flowers and leaves were collected for medicinal purposes. Its roots were known to work as natural dune stabilizers and reduce sand migration. Over time however, its many uses have been rarely archived.

The white soft fleece of the flowering spikes seasonally shed in highly abundant amounts. The shrub sourced material also exponentially requires less water since it adapts to saline soil conditions and does not need the use of pesticides compared to other plant-based stuffing such as organic cotton or buckwheat.

The Kapok series and the development of Desert-cotton as a plant-based stuffing highlights the need for the regional design sector to revisit native shrubs and groundcover and revive their value as sustainable resources.