#eco-design

When we think of sustainable materials, bamboo, cork, recycled stone and reclaimed teak often come to mind. These building and surface materials are used extensively in both residential and commercial projects, enough to solidify them as the eco-friendly future of established architectural practices.

But what if we went even further? Creative and experimental designers worldwide are embracing much more unusual sustainable materials in a wide range of projects, be these sturdy floorboards and insulating panels, or small-scale decorative elements such as lamps, trays, vases and other furnishings. With designs hailing from Singapore and Indonesia, as well as distant studios in Italy and Palestine, here are the materials of tomorrow.

Mogu’s mycelium floor tiles

Mushroom filaments may not seem like the sturdiest base for hardwearing floors, but the Italian designers behind Mogu would argue otherwise. Transformed into resilient tiles appropriate for luxury residences and even commercial spaces, the mycelium structure is topped with a layer of bio-based resin, granting it resistance to scratches and abrasions rivalling traditional flooring materials.

Orange peel and pine needles make up the sustainable lampshades by Caracara Collective

Turning orange peel into useable furnishings and décor pieces is no small feat, yet the people behind the circularity-focused Caracara Collective in Finland have mastered this singular art. Inspired by the abundance of the natural, inherently sustainable materials around them, the designers created a series of lampshades made of orange peel, as well as pine needles from discarded Christmas trees.

As the collective puts it: “It takes around 20 squeezed oranges to create one lampshade. In other words, each lampshade is the by-product of someone drinking two litres of orange juice.”

Markos Design’s Ostra lamp, made of discarded oyster shells

Excerpt from this story from Treehugger:

Cradle-to-cradle (C2C) is a way of designing products or processes that work more like natural systems. This design method is intended to replace a make-take-dispose approach which begins with new raw materials mined from the earth and ends with piles of garbage.

This approach is modeled after nature's long-evolved, low-waste, energy-conserving processes. Just like a tree is born from soil created by other dead trees, grows using local resources, produces fruit or seeds, and then dies, in turn creating food and soil for other organisms (a cycle), human beings can make products that are part of an ongoing circular system. In that way, C2C is sometimes referred to as being biomimetic.

For example, say you want a chair. The conventional cradle-to-grave model would include extracting petroleum products and metals from the earth, and expending tremendous energy to transport and manufacture them into a chair that's used for a few years, then breaks or isn't needed, and ends up in the landfill. In the C2C model, the chair is made from materials that are already part of an existing use cycle, and at end of life, the materials it's made from enter the cycle to be used again to make something else. That could be another chair or another type of product.

Cradle-to-cradle as a concept is often credited to Swiss architect Walter Stahel; he and co-author Genevieve Reday wrote about an economy that used loops in a 1976 research report to the European Commission. Stahel worked on developing this new way to manufacture products at Geneva's Product Life Institute. It had four goals: "a product-life extension, long-life goods, reconditioning activities, and waste prevention," according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation.

“ Pulp furniture ” by Dan Hochberg e Odelia Lavie

(via: amenidadesdodesign.com.br)

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EcoThreads

EcoThreads is not just another clothing brand. It’s a brand that cares about the Earth and wants to make a difference. Instead of making clothes that can harm the environment, EcoThreads uses eco-friendly materials to create stylish and comfortable clothing for everyone.

How EcoThreads Began

The story of EcoThreads started in 2015 when two friends, Emma and Ryan, decided they wanted to do something good for the planet. They noticed that a lot of clothes we buy end up in the trash or are made in a way that harms the environment. So, they came up with an idea—create a brand that makes clothes using materials that are safe for the Earth.

What Makes EcoThreads Different?

EcoThreads uses special materials to make their clothes. These materials include organic cotton, which is grown without harmful chemicals, and recycled polyester, which comes from old things like plastic bottles. They even use bamboo and hemp, two plants that grow fast and are good for the environment.

Because they use these materials, EcoThreads is able to reduce waste and save resources like water and energy. This makes their clothes both good for the planet and great to wear!

Caring for People and the Planet

At EcoThreads, it’s not just about the clothes—they also care about the people who make them. They make sure that everyone who works for them is paid fairly and works in safe places. This means that when you buy EcoThreads clothes, you’re helping to support people who are treated well and respected.

Clothes for Every Day

Whether you’re looking for something casual, like a T-shirt, or something special, like a dress, EcoThreads has it all. Their clothes are made to last, which means you can wear them again and again without worrying about them falling apart. Plus, their designs are timeless, so you don’t have to worry about them going out of style.

Why EcoThreads is the Future of Fashion

EcoThreads is leading the way in sustainable fashion. They believe that we can look great without hurting the planet, and they’re proving it with every piece of clothing they make. By choosing EcoThreads, you’re not just buying clothes—you’re supporting a movement to protect the Earth and the people who live on it.

Conclusion

EcoThreads is changing the fashion world by showing that style and sustainability can go hand in hand. Their eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices make them a brand worth supporting. If you want to wear clothes that look great and help the planet, EcoThreads is the perfect choice.

Imaginez que vous entrez dans votre salle de bains et que vous avez l’impression de pénétrer dans un spa privé. La salle de bains n’est plus seulement un espace fonctionnel, mais un sanctuaire personnel où vous pouvez vraiment vous détendre et vous régénérer. Le choix des matériaux est crucial pour créer un environnement qui soit non seulement esthétique, mais aussi hautement fonctionnel.…