Eco design (and eco designers) are making their name in the field of sustainability and circular economy, but it will still take time to be at the forefront of our shopping habits. We have gotten so used to a linear model, where we produce, purchase, and discard at the end of life the product, and this has led to depletion of resources and a whole lot of waste. This is why protecting the environment needs to be an integral part of every designer and manufacturer’s strategy.
Our list below outlines sustainable and innovative creations along with talented designers that utilise aspects of the circular economy in their creations. They are courageously paving the way towards sustainable design, focusing on aesthetics and quality while minimising their environmental impact.
Sustainable office furniture
Eco designer Samuel Accoceberry is an art director who created a series called Kompa, consisting of modern sustainable office furniture for the Kataba brand. The set was created based on eco design principles set by Kataba and Mu Cooperative, and includes a desk with discreet storage spaces, and a bench all made of recycled materials and wood.
Ebooks about circular economy and sustainable design
Ana and Marlon combined their experiences in advertising, communication, and industrial design to create SOMA Studio Milano, an agency focused on researching the restorative power of design. The way that design works with science to create a more circular and sustainable world is what motivated Ana and Marlon to be part of this revolution. In their ebooks such as Materials Matter, and Designing a better future through sustainability, well-being & heritage, SOMA Studio Milano reunite European interior design fairs and circularity-based research in inspiring trend reports.
Eco furniture with vegan leather
Philippe Starck focuses on the ethical and humanist approach to design with a vision for a more sustainable planet, which leads to unique projects. Said unique projects include a collection of eco furniture pieces using Apple Ten Lork, leather made from apple peels, in collaboration with Cassina, a high-end furniture brand. Apple Ten Lork is made by Frumat, a circular Italian company that recycles waste to produce eco-friendly products. The apple leather consists of a mixture of apple waste (core and skin) and biological industrial waste materials.
Wallpapers made from recycled paper
The founder of the wallpaper brand Bien Fait, Cécile Figuette, combines art, culture, beauty, and poetry in designing high-quality, long-lasting wallpapers that are produced with minimal waste, no unnecessary packaging, and no overproduction. All the wallpapers are locally produced in France and Belgium, and do not contain PVC (synthetic plastic polymer that can contain dangerous chemical additives) or VOCs (harmful breathable chemicals). They are made from recycled paper from printing contractors that recycle all their waste, and designed with water-based ink. Despite the fact that producing less ends up costing more than producing mass quantities, Cécile stands by her choice to produce in a sustainable manner and avoid overconsumption.
Sustainable homeware using recycled stones, plastic, and fabric
NoMA manufactures homeware by combining aesthetics and quality with sustainability, proving that beauty can go hand in hand with responsible manufacturing. By attempting to change the perception of waste and recycled products, NoMA targets customers who have an eye for design and a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Their furniture pieces are waste-based and made almost entirely of recycled materials such as stone, marble, plastic, and fabric: their chairs are 93% made of recycled materials; 81.2% for the armchairs, 89.5% for the consoles.
This list of talented designers that focus their efforts on creating innovative and beautiful products using sustainable practices is inspiring, and growing everyday. With an eco awakening in the design world, a new dawn of circularity is settling in. Stay tuned for our next selections.
