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Top Sustainable Design Materials For Environmentally Conscious Homes
April is Earth Month — a time to acknowledge the beauty of the natural world, remind us of the environmental issues we face, and reflect on our efforts to nurture the well-being of the planet. Of course, the choices we make for our own homes impact our shared home — the earth. Yes, we may want our homes to look good, but it’s also important to recognize the tremendous efforts of brands that prioritize sustainable product design — creation that minimizes waste impact, promotes circularity, and encourages new ways of thinking about interior design. So this Earth Month, we’re putting the spotlight on brands that are making meaningful impacts in the sustainability space every single day. Crafting a sustainable home is multifaceted and ever-changing, and these seven brands are doing something novel, interesting, and frankly, cool, with materials and processes right now to push the conversation forward.
BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC FURNITURE
Sustainable furniture can be chic, and Mater Design is proof. The brand utilizes Matek, its patented material made of waste that can be formed into durable and stylish furniture. Mater keeps sustainability and circularity at its core while navigating the furniture industry. “Our planet’s resources are not infinite, and we need to rethink antiquated ways of production now,” Mater’s CEO Ketil Årdal shares. “We use cutting-edge technology in production allowing us to transform waste materials into high-end design furniture.” Mater prides itself on its collaborations with established designers as well as new talents. Its Alder collection, which is composed of lounge and side tables, was created in collaboration with architect and designer Patricia Urquiola. “We are fortunate to collaborate with such a prominent figure in the design world, who, like us, is committed to searching for innovative and creative ways of making beautiful products — in a responsible way,” Ketil remarks. Each piece from the Alder collection is made from biodegradable plastic, Ketil shares, that can be decomposed by living organisms at the end of its life, just like wood or other natural materials — meaning, unlike other recycled plastic outdoor furniture, it won’t end up, eventually, in landfill. “Mater is not only a furniture design company — we are a green-tech company developing materials for a more sustainable future,” Ketil muses. The brand is committed to helping our environment by finding stylish solutions to waste.
MYCELIUM BIOMATERIAL
I bet you didn’t know that fungus could transform into stunning home decor, did you? Well, with Reishi, it sure can. It’s a material that might look like animal leather, but it’s actually made from mycelium — the root system of mushrooms. This ‘grown’ bio-material was created by innovative biotech firm MycoWorks, and it’s composed of the company’s patented Fine Mycelium — a recycled sawdust, bran, mycelium spawn, and filtered water — and combined with a textile such as cotton or silk. Together, Reishi is formed. “MycoWorks’ Reishi is redefining luxury materials by delivering exceptional appeal, strength, and durability — opening new creative frontiers and inspiring a shift in how materials are conceived,” representatives of the MycoWorks team share. Reishi’s strength makes it ideal for home furnishings and decorations like the Kobold Sofa — a design developed by the MycoWorks team and French furniture brand Ligne Roset. The MycoWorks team emphasizes that Reishi is so much more than just a sustainable material. “It’s a new design paradigm,” they say, “inviting nature in the creative process to unlock aesthetic and performance possibilities across fashion, interiors, and beyond.”
RECYCLABLE AND REPAIRABLE CORK LIGHTING
As a part of Toronto-based design studio, Stackabl began as a tech company that used scrap material like wool felt to create custom furniture and lighting. And after just a few years, the company has grown its network, expanded its material usage, and enhanced its sustainable product design — all with circularity in mind. “At Stackabl, we’re currently focused on reducing waste, increasing manufacturing efficiency, and extending product lifespan. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Jeff Forrest, Stackabl’s founder, tells us. “We’re committed to expanding our awareness of the world and continually adding meaningful complexity to our work — so long as it remains viable to do so.” The brand recently launched ‘Tilt and Shift’, a new collection of lamps cleverly made from cork — a natural and infinitely recyclable cradle to cradle material. Stackabl collaborated with American architect and designer David Rockwell to create the cork furniture collection, which debuted at Casa Cork by David Rockwell at Milan Design Week. Not only are these cork lamps sustainable by nature, but they’re remarkable in design and visually alluring in shape and color. Jeff remarks that Stackabl products like the Tilt and Shift lamps are designed to evolve, “they’re easy to assemble, disassemble, adapt, and repair — ensuring they can extend their usefulness or re-enter the cycle as valuable material,” he says. For Stackabl, sustainability isn’t just about making an eco-friendly product. “We treat it as an ongoing conversation,” Jeff says, “engaging our community to rethink how products are conceived, made, moved, and ultimately valued.”
RECYCLED FURNITURE
As a collaboration between Italian furniture manufacturer Miniforms and designer Paolo Cappello, Superpop is a collection of table-like surfaces made from recycled plastics. These products are environmentally friendly, and with their bright colors and playful designs, they’re fun, too. Each piece of this collection is made from polyethylene, a chemical compound used to make plastic, that has been recycled. The waste materials to make the Superpop products are sorted by type and then melted down at low temperatures to ultimately create their current form as tables, stools, or nightstands. The process behind this sustainable product design encourages minimal environmental impact and promotes a circular approach to the use of plastics — since the plastics are melted at a low temperature, they can be used again and again. Superpop products are versatile and highly durable — they can furnish your living room or decorate your outdoor living space. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing these products are made from recycled materials. But incorporating sustainable product design into your home is just the beginning. It’s not just what you fill it with, but how you build it that can make a lasting impact, so it’s worth reading up on topics like sustainable wall finishes, flooring types, and building practices, too.
Text by Devin Toolen | Photo credit on livingetc.com | Read More Here
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