#sustainable-materials

#sustainable-materials

This research-based design project by Laura Oliveira investigates discarded as a potential raw material for sustainable design applications. Human hair is produced continuously and in large quantities through everyday grooming practices, yet it is almost always treated as waste once separated from the body and typically disposed of in landfills. Despite its material properties, strength, flexibility, and durability as a keratin-based protein fiber, its remains uncommon within design and research contexts.

In a stunning showcase during Berlin Fashion Week, Danny Reinke presented his collection, Numinous, which reinterprets the essence of the forest as an independent force rather than a mere backdrop. The presentation condensed the space into an intense, almost ritualistic atmosphere, amplified by live music and atmospheric lighting, demonstrating a clear narrative arc. The stunning backstage photography by Thilo Wilcke captures the essence of this remarkable collection, echoing the omnipresence of nature in every frame.

Printed signs get reprinted every week, while full LCD signage burns power all day just to show a static promo. E-ink has quietly solved this in e-readers by holding text without sipping battery, but it has not shown up in everyday public spaces where signs still get taped to shelves. Samsung's new 13-inch Color E-Paper is a panel that tries to live in that middle ground, digital enough to update remotely, quiet enough to blend in.

This is the gym bag for people who carry everything. Shoes, sweaty clothes, water bottle, yoga mat; it all fits, and then some. Lululemon's 3-in-1 design is thoughtfully laid out, genuinely comfortable to carry, and impressively versatile. It's less subtle than some options, but if performance and organization matter most, this one delivers. This was our go-to for long training days. Nothing touched anything it shouldn't, and that alone earned points.

Today's workplaces include biophilic facets to bring the outside in, but most are still relatively staid in design, with neutral palettes and traditional styling. Yet when Bean Buro was tapped to envision a new space for a global financial institution, the mangrove, a resilient coastal tree, was the surprising source of inspiration. "We consciously moved away from the typical corporate office template because our goal was to create an environment that truly nurtures well-being and spontaneous collaboration," says Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, co-founder of Bean Buro.

If you throw away a plastic item today, it'll very likely still be around for decades to come. In fact, some research suggests that certain plastic items could take up to 500 years to decompose. To put that in context, that means that if, say, Henry VIII threw away a plastic coffee pod in Tudor England, it would only just be finished degrading now. He didn't, of course; plastic wasn't used regularly until the 20th century. But you get the point.

Toilet paper, a product that is used for a few seconds before being disposed of forever, is typically made with trees, energy-intensive manufacturing processes and chemicals that can pollute the environment. Experts say more consumers are seeking toilet paper made from recycled content or sustainable materials, but it can be hard to know what to look for. Sustainable toilet paper often costs more, but can have significant environmental benefits.

Located at 76 Charlotte Street, the 2,000-square-foot basement-level space, dubbed Downstairs at dMFK, is accessed via a lushly planted mirrored lightwell, which creates the illusion that the space extends under the street. There are 16 workstations, meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a host of other sections that support focused tasks and group work. Vendors were invited to experiment in this ideal setting for their test products, as long as the items complemented the existing aesthetic.

When I first moved into my apartment, there was already a dark ring around the base of the faucet that refused to budge no matter how many cleaners I tried. Eventually, I gave up and assumed it would require a professional cleaning. Then I tried the Full Circle Home Grout Brush, and it actually got it so clean in minutes.

Given that most airlines allow only one personal item bag on board, it's essential to choose your carry-on wisely. For instance, if your current option doesn't include a removable, adjustable shoulder strap and a padded laptop compartment, it might be worth replacing with Quince's Weatherproof Utility Tote, like other travelers have. Measuring 12 inches tall, 21 inches wide, and 5 inches deep, it fits nicely in overhead compartments and under airline seats, according to buyers.

That's the basic description of a series of three lamps made by the luxury Italian lighting company Foscarini. The company's new Alicudi, Filicudi, and Panarea lamps, designed by Italian father-and-son design team Alberto and Francesco Meda, are formed from actual lava rock sourced from Mount Vesuvius. To own a piece of Italy's iconic volcano, you'll have to fork over $866 for any one of the lamp models.

Perched in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella, , Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture, designed by Manuel Ruiz Moriche of ARK Architects. This design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability to create a residence that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The is guided by ARK's unique philosophy of bio-architecture, a transformative approach that uses architecture as a mediator between humans and nature to enhance well-being.

Conceived as a public structure addressing the limited availability of comfortable beachfront space, the pavilion forms a geometric intervention within the Adriatic landscape. Its triangular plan incorporates an open central void and a perimeter walkway that supports activities such as swimming, resting, and small-scale gatherings. The pavilion's form produces a defined relationship between water, city, and port, framing views and creating varied spatial conditions depending on movement, light, and tide.

Architect Jainika Shah's work centers on wellness-driven spatial design, bringing together technology, tradition, sustainability, and environmental awareness. Her practice approaches architecture as an interaction between human experience and ecological systems, a principle that shapes Adhyatma, a conceptual wellness envisioned for Sedona, . Named after the Sanskrit term for 'higher soul,' the project integrates itself into the red-rock landscape through material selection and passive strategies.

Recently, Apple launched the iPhone 17 as a marked improvement from the previous edition. Not only does it come in a wider range of variants with varying degrees of updated technology - the cameras in particular - it also signals the return of trend-conscious colorways: silver, cosmic orange, lavender, sage, mist blue, white, and standard black. (Fun fact: This article was written on an iPhone 17 Pro Max in deep blue).

HORL is taking knife sharpening to another level with the launch of their next-generation HORL®3 rolling knife sharpeners. A fool-proof way to achieve razor-like results at home, the easy-to-use HORL®3 set features a powerful magnetic angled grip pad that firmly holds a wide range of knives in place, and a two-sided roller for quick sharpening results: a diamond sharpening disk and a honing one - see how it works .

Finding sneakers that complement your travel style and keep your feet comfy through whatever activities you subject them to is a constant struggle. In the past, Dr. Scholl's was one of those brands that only put comfort first. Now, it's expanded its podiatrist-approved walking shoes with trend-inspired styles that strike the perfect balance of being supportive and fashionable-with the Time Off Sneakers leading the pack.

From fire roads to rocky singletrack, it has been nothing short of a versatile workhorse. Much like I once trained my dog Diesel, I took the shoe a little farther with each outing, building trust in its ability to handle more. Over 250 miles later, what has impressed me most is the cushioning. It's soft enough to stay comfortable over long miles, yet stable enough to inspire confidence on uneven ground.

With toy safety concerns continuing to make headlines-from recent research finding potentially toxic elements like barium, lead, chromium, and antimony at levels up to 15 times above legal limits in plastic toys-buying gifts for children requires more vigilance than ever. According to a 2024 Toy Association survey , 45% of parents under 40 now consider a toy's sustainability credentials before purchasing.

A worldwide shift in materials science is underway as innovators deploy new technologies to create sustainable products. With people growing more aware of the world's waste and pollution problems, an expanding segment of consumers is looking for green attributes in the products they buy - choosing items that are biodegradable, are made from renewable or regenerative materials found in nature, and can be disposed of sustainably at the end of their life.

Peugeot reveals the compact concept car Polygon, which lights up using the series of animated micro LED screens at the front and back of the vehicle. Sized under four meters long, the four-wheeler uses fewer parts and more recycled materials as part of the company's future generation of car production. For this model, the frame has a geometric shape and adopts large windows to make the space expansive.

Picture a building wrapped in ceramic tiles, but not the flat, uniform squares you're used to. CeraShingle modules are 3D-printed clay shingles with intricate textures, delicate perforations, and color gradients that flow across the surface like watercolor on paper. Each piece measures roughly 400 by 130 millimeters and weighs just over a kilogram, light enough to handle but substantial enough to feel real.

The designers behind this clever piece, Fenna van der Klei and Patricio Nusselder, drew inspiration from the traditional craft of textile pleating, where fabric is carefully folded to create different shapes and volumes. It's the same technique that gives your favorite pleated skirt its structure or adds dimension to fancy curtains. But here, pleating isn't just decorative. It's doing all the heavy lifting, quite literally.

The Vision Chair by Levitask and designer Klaus Kummer represents the outcome of over forty years of research into posture and ergonomics. The chair challenges the conventional 90-degree seating position by proposing a dynamic alternative defined as Elevated Seating, a posture concept that distributes body weight more evenly and supports natural spinal alignment. Kummer, originally trained as a cabinet maker before moving into industrial design in Germany and Scandinavia, combines traditional craftsmanship with ergonomic engineering.

Together with the Bamboo Village Trust, a philanthropic financial vehicle, and Kota Kita, a participatory urban design organization, Bauhaus Earth has developed BaleBio, a bamboo pavilion designed by Cave Urban and rising above Mertasari Beach in Denpasar, Bali. The pavilion transforms a disused car park into an open community meeting space, offering a counterpoint to the city's tourism-driven coastal development.

From cutting-edge electric bikes to sustainable fashion made from pineapple leaves, Taiwan's most exciting innovations are coming to London. The Taiwan Select Pop-up Showcase will transform Westfield White City from 22-26 October 2025, celebrating world-leading design, technology and sustainability across lifestyle, wellness and smart living. The Taiwan Excellence mark is awarded by the Taiwanese government to products that demonstrate outstanding innovation, design, and quality.

In the world of product design, the right material can turn a vision into reality, and bamboo is emerging as a favorite. Bamboo is a natural material that offers elegance, durability, and a touch of nature in every creation. This remarkable grass is more than a passing trend as it showcases how natural resources can be transformed into products that are elegant and practical. Its versatility allows designers to craft items that are visually striking while maintaining a thoughtful connection to the environment.

This bomber jacket has some history to it. Originally designed over 25 years ago, this iteration of the jacket fuses modern functionality with classic bomber detailing, like a double placket, pen pocket, and ribbed waist. The archive-inspired satin gives it a glossy finish, but it's still subtle enough that it will go with pretty much just about anything. Wear it with some black jeans, combat or Chelsea boots, and you've got a bad-ass fit.