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12 Innovative Eco-Materials For a Fully Green Fit-out

Kendra Jackson — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, designers and creatives are turning to — and inventing — new sustainable alternatives for common materials. Here, we showcase 12 innovative eco-materials for everything from furniture to finishes that prioritize the health of the planet without compromising style.

For furniture

Matek

Developed by Copenhagen green-tech design brand Mater, Matek is made from a variety of waste materials and debris (coffee bean husks, sawdust, textiles et cetera) combined with a biodegradable plastic binder derived from sugarcane. The resultant press-mouldable material is water-repellent and durable, and can replicate the look of natural stone, terrazzo or marble. Patricia Urquiola’s indoor–outdoor Alder collection of tables and stools highlights the biodegradable material’s appealing tactility and expressive nature.

Plant-Based Lumber

A hardwood alternative, plant-based lumber from Poland’s The True Green in partnership with Green Lanes is composed of fibres and stems from fast-growing annuals, like hemp or flax, and eco-adhesives. Suitable for furniture (Husarska Design Studio’s HempStool, for example), interior fittings and construction timber, the hardy material reduces the demand for tree felling, absorbs more than a tonne of CO2 per cubic metre and can play a key role in rehabilitating and reconstructing ecosystems.

Quartz Sand

For his Contourage console table, Johan Wilén, designer and co-founder of Stockholm-based Studio TOOJ, worked with Germany’s Sandhelden, an expert in sustainable 3D printing methods. Along with locally sourced quartz sand, the manufacturer uses furan-based binders that are derived from corn husks, rice hulls, sugarcane and other biomaterials; to further lessen its overall material consumption, the vivid cobalt-blue console is printed as a hollow structure and finished by hand to retain a rugged texture.

Hard Surfaces

Earthic

A collaboration between Cosentino and research-based design studio Formafantasma, Earthic by Silestone is an innovative surface that limits the extraction of raw materials through its use of premium minerals, post-industrial recycled glass, PET, post-consumer bioresin and Dekton fragments. Manufactured with a maximum of 10 per cent silica using 99 per cent recycled water and 100 per cent renewable electric energy, the collection comes in a range of patterns and colours.

Polygood Translucent Collection

A new addition to The Good Plastic Company’s Polygood series of fully recycled and recyclable plastic panels, the Translucent Collection transforms clear CD cases into high-quality fire- and UV-resistant and waterproof interior–exterior surfacing. Elements like recycled industrial tubes, spools, acoustic panels and single-use cutlery are added during production to create the 19 vibrant patterns available.

Wasted Treasure

German industrial designer Carolin Schelkle has created roof tiles and shingles using palm leaves, stems and empty fruit bunches left over from palm oil production. Once shredded and dried, the fibres are mixed with a limestone-based mortar to become a rigid building material that is water- and fire-resistant and insulating. Ground remnant bricks can be added to tint the shingles.

Interior Finishes

Alkemis Paint

Contrary to many architectural paints, which use synthetic plasticizers and petrochemicals as a base, Alkemis incorporates raw materials and clear mineral quartz at its foundational layer. Tinted with artist-quality natural pigments and earthen minerals, the paints improve indoor air quality, absorb and neutralize chemicals, and are water vapor–permeable, which means they hinder mould and fungus growth. Free from toxic synthetic pigments, VOCs and other hazardous pollutants, the paint comes in 120 colourways, all with a velvet matte finish.

Circon

Developed by Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering with Versa Designed Surfaces, Circon possesses the durability of conventional Type II vinyl but has an environmentally sensitive formulation: Made from 70 per cent bio-sourced, rapidly renewable resources — sustainably forested wood-based feedstock, an algae-like base material that seques- ters carbon during its production and a proprietary renewable backing material that also absorbs carbon during growth — the recyclable wallcoverings have a closed-loop life cycle. A collection of four nature- and art-inspired patterns introduced Circon, which can also be specified for more than 100 of the brand’s other designs and collections.

EcoAx

A recent innovation from Creative Matters, EcoAx is an environmentally responsible woven Axminster made from wool with a biodegradable jute backing that decomposes within 12 months, enriching the soil as it does so. An alternative to synthetics like nylon, the new material will be an option available for all of the brand’s commercial and residential rugs and carpets, with a no-glue installation method to keep the flooring fully biodegradable. At end of life, the carpets can be recycled, upcycled and even shredded for compost.

For walls

CornWall

An interior cladding derived from plant-based biomass — mainly corn cob cores — CornWall is positioned as an organic alternative to ceramic tiles and high-pressure laminate. Developed by Amsterdam-based Front (formerly StoneCycling) with Belgium’s Circular Matters, the upcycled product is highly durable and moisture-repellent, and will be supplied with a demountable anchoring system for vertical applications. It can be tinted with biodegradable pigments and, since no glue is needed, the carbon-neutral material is completely re-usable and recyclable.

Seawool

Seastex spent years researching and experimenting with the potential of mussel “beards” (the inedible natural threads these mollusks use to cling to rocks and seabeds that are removed and discarded before cooking), eventually transforming the byssus fibres into a “cloud-like substance” named Seawool, a structurally sound, naturally fire-retardant material with unique acoustic and insulation properties. Its first product — ABC Tiles — is 100 per cent renewable, recyclable and biodegradable and can be used on walls and ceilings to improve sound quality and noise levels in a range of interior spaces.

Eelgrass

Danish manufacturer Søuld has been reviving a centuries-old tradition of drying and pressing the marine plant eelgrass into durable sheets that can be used for interior wall panels and baffles. Now, FilzFelt has added this 100 per cent recyclable and texturally rich material to its portfolio of acoustic solutions. The Søuld eelgrass acoustic panels can be used bare or be paired with any of FilzFelt’s wool felts in over 90 colours (with chamfered or wrapped edges).

For more eco-materials, visit our Spec Sheets section.

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Out Now: The Climate Issue

Azure — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:56:00 +0000

Recently, we asked Tommaso Bitossi to explain “sufficiency before efficiency,” a core philosophy of Transsolar, where he works as an associate partner. “It’s about looking at how efficiency, in the past, has failed us,” he said. “In other words, our computers now are much more efficient than in 1995. However, now we have two laptops per person, one iPad, one smartphone et cetera…Or, our servers are now cooled very efficiently, but with the advent of A.I., we are exponentially increasing our need for data storage and computational power.”

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The gist: We need to craft our spaces to employ passive strategies for thermal comfort — and that means making the most of the site and climate, of natural light and breezes, and choosing materials and processes that are easy on the Earth. This approach can then be augmented by new technologies, systems and means of reducing — or neutralizing — the carbon footprint of a building’s construction and operations. First, let’s accomplish more through good design.

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Good design is synonymous with climate-conscious design in our Nov/Dec 2024 edition, which coincides with our inaugural Human/Nature conference, where Bitossi is a speaker. In our special climate issue, we spend time with Pat Hanson, whose Toronto firm, Gh3*, has brought profound beauty to urban infrastructure. (Beauty is also a need, and one that — together with sustainability, affordability, equity, inclusivity and many other exigencies — should be part of every brief.) We also feature an innovative social housing project in Spain by Peris+Toral, a Barcelona firm that bridges sustainability and affordability; and we speak with the activist architect Andrés Jaque about embracing complexity in order to better understand the myriad overlapping systems at work in any design undertaking.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Detroit’s Cultural Renaissance

How the Library Street Collective is building resilience into the city’s arts scene.

Good Works

Six inspiring projects around the world designed with a climate lens.

Delicious Circularity

In Madrid, SelgasCano creates a stunning restaurant with a sustainable ethos.

Emerging Eco Materials

The latest building blocks and finishes for a fully green fit-out.

Holiday Gift Guide

Thoughtful – and design-savvy – recommendations for your holiday list.

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6 Projects Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainable Design

Elizabeth Pagliacolo — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:51:00 +0000

Earth Forest Campus — Barcelona, Spain

PHOTO: Iwan Baan

Until recently, 3D-printed construction and traditional earth buildings existed at opposite ends of the technological spectrum. But an innovative Forest Campus in Barcelona’s Collserola Natural Park, developed by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) with international architecture firm Hassel, combines the best of both worlds, marrying cutting-edge techniques with vernacular design. The product of over one decade of research, the 100-square-metre structure is a full-scale prototype for sustainable and affordable construction. Though 3D-printed architecture is typically made of carbon-intensive concrete, the Forest Campus was printed...

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3 Water-Saving Products to Make Your Bathroom More Sustainable

Kendra Jackson — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:45:00 +0000

Grohe Everstream

Significantly reducing water consumption while still delivering a satisfying shower experience, the Grohe Everstream is the latest addition to Grohe’s sustainable bathroom products. The cutting-edge water-circulating process curtails water usage by up to 75 per cent and energy by up to 66 per cent (for a 10-minute shower). How it works: Starting with fresh water, the integrated mechanism is manually switched after sudsing up and shampooing to pump the grey water collected in the drain through a circuit that hygienically treats it (while also maintaining its temperature) and recycles it through the system. Once the shower is complete, it auto-cleans for the next user.

Kohler Loope

A...

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5 Sculptural Faucets That Bring Beauty to Any Basin

Kendra Jackson — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:44:00 +0000

Reel by Amphora

New tapware brand Amphora partnered with Studio Adolini for its debut faucet collection, Reel. Defined by a linear purity, the taps and mixers feature a shared circular handle with vertical grooves for textural impact. Made with a 316-steel exterior (in hand-brushed steel, black PVD or copper PVD) and lead-free brass interior, the faucets have an inset aerator and flow control valve to ensure a smooth stream of water.

Finot by Waterworks

Influenced by modern sculptures, expertly tailored fashion and industrial design, New York studio Gachot appointed Finot for Waterworks with clean lines and refined details. Balancing rigour and simplicity, the extensive collection (which includes...

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4 Bathroom Vanity Collections Balance Storage with Style

Kendra Jackson — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:43:00 +0000

Dot Collection by Hastings Bath Collection

Curved corners and large round handles lend the Dot vanity from Hastings Bath Collection a playful expression. Crafted in Italy using responsibly sourced solid ash, the units can be fronted with a set of double doors, two soft-close drawers or one drawer with an open base. A palette of 19 bold and neutral colourways is available for both the cabinets and graphic handles, which can be stained in matching or contrasting tones. The bathroom storage series also includes mirrors in multiple shapes (each with a trademark circle detail) and wall-mounted storage units.

Picture by Scarabeo Ceramiche

Studio Adolini equates its Picture collection for Scarabeo Ceramiche...

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3 Outdoor Saunas Grounded in Form

Kendra Jackson — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:40:00 +0000

For those looking for high-design heating options for the colder months, these three outdoor saunas offer an escape in the comfort of your own backyard.

Cabanon

Tapping into the long-celebrated tradition of the Finnish sauna, architect Rodolfo Dordoni designed the Cabanon for Italy’s Effe to be a destination unto itself. Corrugated aluminum exterior walls (painted Orange, Moss or Cement) withstand even harsh climates, while the interiors are lined with heat-treated aspen wood in smooth or boiserie textures. Inspired by Le Corbusier’s cabin with the same name, the outdoor sauna comes in five versions (three with a deck, two without); practical touches like a hand-held shower and hooks for robes and towels enhance the...

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How Three Manufacturers Are Reimagining the Afterlife of Design

Eric Mutrie — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:36:00 +0000

Driven by their pursuit of ever-greater sustainability goals, many of the industry’s top R&D departments are now adopting the same strategy: work backwards. By re-evaluating what happens to a rug or a piece of furniture after it hits the curb, manufacturers are introducing examples of circular design that prioritize the lifespan of our planet over their own individual permanence.

Mind you, this is not to say that they are creating throwaway designs. Indeed, this new generation of environmentally responsible statement pieces prides itself on being no less durable, comfortable or attractive than its predecessors — it just has the added benefit of also being easily composted or recycled when the time comes. Here are three examples of...

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Ligne Roset’s Co-CEO on the Value of Companies Taking it Slow

Elizabeth Pagliacolo — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:35:00 +0000

“If there is a model that I don’t want to reach, it’s the fast fashion model,” Antoine Roset says. On the terrace of the Palais de Tokyo, the Eiffel Tower glorious in the distance, Roset explains how he and Olivier, his cousin and co-chief executive officer, have been easing the tempo at which their family’s renowned brand, Ligne Roset, operates. From launching fewer products each year to showing them in an exhibition and mini trade fair at the Palais every April before Milan Design Week, they are embracing a praxis that’s very much in contrast to the hyper accelerated direction of much design production, both in how it’s manufactured and how it’s communicated. They are also responding to the very real economics that make selling...

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Art and Technology Converge with The Frame TV by Samsung

Azure — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:30:00 +0000

While it’s always comforting to return to your favourite artwork in a museum’s permanent collection, part of the thrill of going to a gallery is seeing what’s new. Special exhibitions speak directly to the current cultural moment, providing an exciting backdrop to a particular point in time. In that same spirit, Samsung created The Frame as a way to introduce a rotating series of canvases to your home. A lot of domestic art can become so familiar that you stop even noticing it, so it can be refreshing to add one ever-changing work into the mix — especially when that artwork is also an innovative multi-tasker.

When in use, The Frame is a premium television ready to screen the latest must-see programming. But between movies and television episodes, it becomes a dynamic gallery unto itself. The Samsung Art Store allows for ongoing customization with an ever-growing collection of artworks and designs. As your personal tastes, moods and decor shift, The Frame makes it easy to reinvent your space with just a few clicks of the remote.

The Frame by Samsung features an Art Mode that displays your choice of artwork.

The Frame’s mission to bring art into your life extends outside the home, too. In October, Samsung brought an installation by Canadian artist Nicolas Abtan to The Well in Toronto. Abtan is known for creating mixed-media works that appear to be in the midst of transformation, with sculptural elements that often extend beyond the borders of a painting’s canvas.

For his work at The Well, he looked to Canada’s landscapes and seasons for inspiration, sculpting three-dimensional elements on top of The Frame’s bezels and connecting them to the visuals being shown on its screen. The partnership demonstrated both the wonder of art and technology’s ability to make that wonder more accessible. As the seasons change, The Frame by Samsung ensures there’s always something new to admire.

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