Tsunami Axis’ Post

“Great design considers future circumstances,” says David Charne, Fyrn’s co-founder & CEO. In our sixth Changemaker Interview, we asked Charne about the intricacies of implementing circular furniture systems. “With every new product line,” observes Charne, “we consider where we can have the biggest impact and try to improve it with time.”  Some types of furniture, he notes, are more challenging to make circular. “We don’t always have the perfect solution.” Fyrn, based in California’s Bay Area,  strives to make every part of a piece of furniture easily replaceable and flat-packed.   The company’s innovations include the Stemn system, a custom screw, and waste- and cost-saving initiatives. Fyrn seeks to offer high-quality furniture with a lower carbon footprint at a better price. To read the full interview  – and learn more about Fyrn’s drive, aspirations and vision for change, click in the link below. #ciruclareconomy #furniture #mebltransformingfurniture 

The rise of discreet tech- Technology was a crucial lifeline during the pandemic. But as homes have gotten smarter, they’ve also become more cluttered. A novel solution that WGSN’s consumer technology team sees taking hold is the move towards discreet design, which sees gadgets forgoing sleek shininess in favor of an aesthetic that can blend in with decor. “A domesticated design approach ‘softens’ tech products to make them feel less obtrusive and more blended into the home environment,” says Lisa Yong, WGSN’s director of consumer technology. “User interfaces for home tech products are also moving away from screen-based interactions to more intuitive controls that follow the principles of calm technology.” In addition to ditching tech’s traditional aesthetic, the best of these discreetly designed items will also take on additional functions that further disguise their true purpose. WGSN’s report points to examples like Savannah, a security device that mimics minimalist toys, and picture frames by Twelve South, which provide wireless charging. On the furniture side, WGSN predicts that consumers may pine for desks with integrated OLED screens that go invisible when turned off. - Architectural Digest

On today's podcast, our theme is Exploring Sustainable Design for a Greener World Our guest is Christian Lodgaard, Senior Vice President of Design at Flokk Furniture, Norway Defining Sustainable Design: - Lodgaard emphasizes that sustainable design should improve industry sustainability and address environmental footprints. - Iconic, eternal objects are praised, but longevity alone isn't enough. Circular Design Principles: - Flokk follows circular design principles: low weight, few components, durable materials, long lifespan, and designed for disassembly. - Transparent and intuitive architecture is encouraged to celebrate assembly and promote easy repairability. Brand Building and Transparency: - Lodgaard discusses the importance of transparent brand communication in addressing sustainability. - Flokk's name change and brand redesign aimed to embrace human-centeredness and Scandinavian legacy while maintaining a global perspective. Metrics and Transparency: - Flokk has been transparent about sustainability, implementing environmental product declarations since 2004. - The five/three principle focuses on using as little material as possible, choosing low-carbon footprint materials, and designing for disassembly. Scaling Sustainable Initiatives: - The challenge lies in scaling sustainable initiatives rather than introducing constant innovation. - Discipline, patience, stamina, and joy are essential in creating fewer, high-impact products with longer market presence. Personal Background and Inspiration: - Lodgaard shares a personal story about his mother's influence on his path towards sustainability and industry. - Growing up in Norway, surrounded by nature's challenges, influenced a design tradition favoring essential, durable, and functional products. Future Initiatives and Scaling Challenges: - The future involves scaling existing technologies and practices rather than constant innovation. - Lodgaard stresses the need for systematic approaches and joyful initiatives to create sustainable products with a lasting impact. on iTunes at: https://lnkd.in/gGn9h3s2 on Spotify at: https://lnkd.in/gWzHFG5c

I very much enjoyed facilitating a panel event at Future Expo this week about home textiles and interior design and how we can advance sustainability in this area, particularly regarding onboarding new materials. Key takeaways were how the home interiors and textiles area still massively lags behind fashion in terms of exposure and lack of press about the huge amounts of unsustainable practices that occur in this area; the huge amounts of waste that end up in landfill, the toxic chemicals and pollutants that are still used in materials and to ensure compliancy with regulations the use of flame retardants that are disturbingly found at their highest levels in breast milk in the UK. Circular economy strategies are being explored much more widely but there is no infrastructure in place to allow this to happen at scale currently. How can we change how industry works, to move away from this siloed competitive mindset to a more nurturing supportive collaborative environment where large companies support and engage with small, opening up more trading routes to allow them to flourish.  Could we create more positive stories to show the benefits of using sustainable materials and circular economy strategies to BREAK THE CODES, to celebrate the innovative ways that materials are being made, shift cultural attitudes to embrace their provenance through education, and be transparent and communicative about their life cycles to allow the customer to gain more understanding of the whole life of the fabric or product they are purchasing and how the choices they make really can make a difference. It was great to create more awareness of Interior Design Declares - UK and thankyou to all the brilliant panel, Delyth Fetherston-Dilke, Carole Collet Simone Suss Julian Ellis-Brown and Nina Marenzi and team for all the support.

Sustainability isn't a trend. It's the future. In the world of design, 2024 is already painting a vivid picture of eco-friendly materials not just taking the stage but owning it. Think beyond bamboo and recycled plastics. Designers are now exploring groundbreaking materials like Mycelium for furniture and Piñatex for fashion, transforming sustainability into a statement of style. Why? Because the narrative has shifted. It's no longer about making do with less but about creating more with what we have. This revolution in design is not just about saving the planet. It's about redefining luxury, durability, and beauty in terms of what they contribute to the earth's well-being. From algae-based fabrics that breathe life into fashion to bio-glass that turns interiors into eco-havens, these materials are setting a new standard. They tell a story of innovation, resilience, and a deep-rooted commitment to the planet. The real question is, how are we supporting these sustainable practices? Are we ready to embrace these materials not just as a fleeting trend but as the pillars of future design? Let's start the conversation. Share your thoughts on how we can further incorporate sustainability into our design ethos. Your insights could pave the way for a greener tomorrow.

Haworth embraces circular design processes, thinking about sustainable materials, manufacturing, and shipping throughout the product life cycle. Learn how circular design principles can reduce waste and carbon emissions to improve the long-term impacts of the furniture industry. #sustainability #recycle #recyclability #greenstandards

Biophilic and sustainable design is everywhere, whether it’s a medical facility, workplace, transportation hub, hotel, or retail shop.

Interesting article from Dezeen about the obsession with the "new". It's exciting to see designers using more second-hand furniture or upcycled materials, but there is still work to be done to shift away from old habits. As a first commitment to a circular economy, Tarkett strives to design and create long-lasting products which have a high performance and can be easily maintained. Tarkett also engages its customers to join their ReStart take-back and recycling programme so that flooring waste can be recycled into new flooring. Read more about the circular economy in the article below: http://ow.ly/9RgL104WOiv #CircularEconomy #Upcycling

Interesting article from Dezeen about the obsession with the "new". It's exciting to see designers using more second-hand furniture or upcycled materials, but there is still work to be done to shift away from old habits. As a first commitment to a circular economy, Tarkett strives to design and create long-lasting products which have a high performance and can be easily maintained. Tarkett also engages its customers to join their ReStart take-back and recycling programme so that flooring waste can be recycled into new flooring. Read more about the circular economy in the article below: http://ow.ly/9RgL104WOiv #CircularEconomy #Upcycling