MAINTAINING A DESIGN BALANCE BETWEEN NATURE AND THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE
By Alia Babapulle
Someone asked me why I was so passionate about saving the planet. It’s very simple…
1. It’s the only one we have, and if we don’t take care of her who will?
2. It’s a marvellous place, full of wondrous things, and should be nourished and cherished.
3. Mother Nature produced the most incredible plant life, trees, everything in and on earth, and we should appreciate her forever, not destroy her forever.
There are more and more people involved with saving what we have, so thank you, whoever you are. So many more designers are now thinking about how, what and where to use all we have in front of us, and are coming up with fantastic ideas. Design goes back to the first people who invented tools, the wheel, etc. Everything has to do with design, intentional or not. It will never end; we are surrounded by it every day. It’s brilliant. And so to the first article from me in 2015… look at what’s in store and I hope you enjoy it.
Darwin’s Home: Natural Style
This company specialises in sourcing products made from natural materials, recyclable or up-cycled. They are produced in Europe, or if that is not possible (as with bamboo bowls) they are made according to the fair trade charter. High quality, contemporary design is completely in line with offering eco-friendly products, and they believe that you can have both style and sustainability. They obtained the Green Apple Award 2014 for their company.
VIA Stone: Innovative Production
This young company is based in Bulgaria and has developed a new way of cutting marble and hard stones so that the actual thickness is no more than the diameter of a matchstick. By doing this, the transparency is particularly evident, even in normal daylight, and the amount of stone used is greatly reduced. They are continuously looking for and implementing innovative solutions, and production meets with stringent ecological standards. They are mainly dealing across Europe and the Balkan States but are now attracting a more extended public.
Design Results: Sustainable Splendour
The 84 apartments this company was asked to design and furnish were completed using eco-friendly products only. The gorgeous eco-system surrounding Shell Island Resort is amazing and the resort is poised alongside crystal clear waters flowing into protected wetlands. Repurposing existing furnishings to benefit the community was the first decision. Choosing eco-friendly pieces promoting sustainability and responsible manufacturing came next. Reduce, recycle, repurpose and rethink are the essential concepts to consider when opportunities arise, and they have done exactly this.
Elya Recycling: Cutting-Edge Technology
Elya Recycling in Israel provides cutting-edge technology for the plastic recycling industry. Although not in design work, it is an important part of today’s world of consumerism. Its principal technology is based on low-cost adhesive formulations for unsorted mixed plastic scrap. Utilising this unique adhesive, Elya binds unsorted plastic waste into strong rigid boards, which can be produced to a variety of different specifications, shapes and size and used in furniture manufacturing and the construction industry.
CanSolAir: Solar Quality
“We have a social responsibility to innovate and develop solar energy”… with that philosophy, company founder Jim Meaney has made enormous strides in the world of solar technology. CanSolAir has set a uniform standard for both quality and product performance in high thermal efficiency convection solar heaters and heating systems. Their international presence, coupled with a knowledgeable dealer support network, has fuelled their rapid growth. Their engineers and technical expertise allow them to customise design installations for customer’s needs.
Smart Glass International: Illuminating Adaptability
This company makes switchable glass products which illuminate environments, creating multi-functional spaces that adapt and respond to the needs of users at the flick of a switch. Their switchable Smartglass is currently manipulating light and enhancing the environment in over 35 countries across six continents. They deliver to any destination worldwide and have offices in London and Dubai providing hubs for their activities globally.
www.smartglassinternational.com
