Eco Trends
Eco-friendly, green, sustainable… these are words we increasingly see used these days. It means that people are more and more enlightened as to what can be done to not harm the environment we live in and also to maintain a balance between nature and our necessities of life, especially in design. There are wonderful products and ideas coming onto the market today, and in this section we offer an ongoing insight into some of the most intriguing and functional.
To start with, I believe this should be made a creed for designers – and I try to use it when designing. There are times of course when it is not possible, but so much is being produced today which falls into the edicts of the picture that a great deal is possible without damaging our planet.
Have a look at the lovely things being done by just a very few. We can check out what and where we can buy, responsibly, products to use which in the long run are beneficial to us.
Having an eco-friendly interior would be very good indeed. It does not necessarily mean you have to have less luxury. On the contrary: it means you are conscious of what you do, and that is always a good thing
“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.” – Pete Seeger
Vargem Grande House: Brazilian Sustainability
This design – by Marina Bellusci, Edison Hiroyama and Susana Prizendt, in São Paulo (Brazil) –contemplates sustainability, low cost and vernacular reference. The client, who has been a modern architecture appreciator and is someone who loves Brazilian culture, started the creative process.
She desired an environmentally sustainable construction, with few walls, a mezzanine with a bedroom and a lot of glass to appreciate the landscape and enjoy the sub-tropical climate of the region. Organising the construction site and using industrialised material with low life cycle analysis was the strategy to reduce building energy consumption.
After construction, using durable materials, reusing wastewater and using natural lighting reduces the energy consumption in the building. The result is excellent, given the problems with the site as far as its location is concerned.
Francis London: Signature Candles
The company started in January 2014, after embarking on a natural approach to life. Kay Francis cut out the use of chemicals on her hair and skin and sought to mainly purchase natural organic products. This new lifestyle approach is ever evolving, and as she became more educated about the benefits of using natural products it got her thinking about the products she was using in her home.
The candles are made from soy wax with natural fragrances from a specialised perfumery. All are available in luxury standard size and travel tins.
Belgin Bozsahin: Sculptures and Artwork
Born and brought up in Istanbul (Turkey), Belgin Bozsahin has been living in London for almost three decades. She has exhibited in Istanbul, London and Bergen and on the QE2 liner. Many of her works are in private collections in Turkey, the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Oman and the US.
Drawing on the themes of existence, self and identity she creates sculptural ceramic works, installations and wall pieces, most of them using recycled and found pieces of glass, pebbles, etc. She is currently exhibiting in various art galleries around the world.
Old Bridge: Wallcoverings and Design
Old Bridge W & D specialises in the manufacture of unique hand-crafted wall coverings. These are hand-painted, hand-textured, hand-woven with natural fibres or embossed using unique processes and materials.
The product line includes metallic leafed papers, hand-textured canvas, cast-embossed patterns, natural woven abaca, hand-made papers and more. They create hand-crafted products which are produced to order for the customer, thus enabling the product to be coloured to the designer’s specifications. Each order is a distinct work of art and unique.
www.oldbridgewallcoverings.com
Kon Strux Inc: Workmanship and Value
Shannon Lenstra, the CEO of the company, is an active steward of the RenoMark Council, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – the Calgary region’s industry watchdog of renovators – and she presides annually as a SAM Award Judge.
Shannon’s hands-on involvement in every aspect of the business ensures that customers receive the finest possible workmanship and value. The positive and upbeat attitude of the company has helped motivate everyone at Kon-strux to be the best team possible. Shannon’s philosophy that “a satisfied customer is our greatest asset” has allowed and will continue to allow Kon-strux Developments Inc. to grow and excel.
Design Lush: Organic Materials and Technology
Design Lush of New York, also featured last edition, have two great Green Line brand pieces of recycled wood among their designs. Combining glass and wood to great effect in one and woods in the second… by John Houshmand.
This up-market interior design group makes custom, contemporary, modern and luxury furniture, together with lighting and outdoor furniture.
AIM British Building Supplies: Solid Natural Bamboo
The bamboo range from AIM British Building Supplies and DIY Centre is said to be different to any other bamboo products on the market. The result of over five years of intensive research and development, natural bamboo products combine the unparalleled strength, beauty and environmental credentials of bamboo with a lifespan comparable to the best tropical hardwoods, without the need for deforestation.
By Alia Babapulle
