sustainability
Design Art Science Symposium needs speakers in High Point
In a survey conducted by consumer experience and insights firm WD Partners last year, more than 71% of respondents said they shop secondhand at least once a month. Some 11% do so daily. (I’m thinking most of those folks are collectors or resellers themselves; some might be people with shopping addictions.) But another 26% shop secondhand weekly and 33% do so monthly. Their reasons vary: Some like the fun of seeking out “treasures.” Others want to save money and still others like the sustainability of buying used items or, in the parlance of auto dealers, preowned products.
My current favorites are the Sare Floor Lamp and the upcoming MetLife table. My favorite interior design project was a residential home in Bebek, Istanbul. I designed it during covid, and despite the dreary circumstances, I felt proud to create designs that reflect a more positive and fun world. That project makes me happy every time I see the images.
Companies like Estonia-based Raiku have a solution for the luxury packaging industry that sits at the intersection of these issues. Their compostable packaging is designed with luxury products and consumers in mind and doesn’t end up in landfills. I spoke with one of Raiku’s co-founders, Karl J Pärtel, about the barriers manufacturers face in adapting compostable packaging, creating a luxury product and addressing the urgency of environmental issues.
Bouclé Stripe is a textured fabric in a natural shade, with a heavy bouclé yarn creating the illusion of stripes across the fabric. The bouclé yarn creates a playful and natural look.
Brought to you by Science In Design Founder, Mike Peterson, President, of Visionary Design Marketing, and Co-founder, Linda Kafka, President, of Livable Environment Inc., the inaugural Design, Art & Science Symposium will offer innovative education, from the leading experts and scholars in the field of science and design as well as networking, experiential exhibits, product discovery, innovation and inspiration.
Sustainability was always part of Greg Roth’s personal ethos, but it didn’t become the central focus of his professional life until Stephen Pallrand challenged him to design a home with zero carbon footprint. The project was Casa Zero and would become the first CarbonShack case study house in Los Angeles.
Not just another design competition. The San Francisco Design Week Awards is an international design competition seeking to encourage thought leadership by supporting designers whose works can contribute towards a positive future for society. SFDW is the premier gathering of the world’s most active design community. Entries for the prestigious SFDW Awards are judged by a jury composed of leading Bay Area design professionals; those selected are showcased and have a permanent presence on the SFDW Awards website. For more than 17 years SFDW has provided design professionals with the opportunity to grow their networks, enhance their visibility, find investors for future products that are shaping the future and build their careers. They welcome applicants from across the entire range of design industries.
Brooke Horan, Principal at HDR, recently listed globalization as an important trend for the future of work, “With our increased ability to connect virtually across so many time zones and countries, companies continue to become more global. To future-proof their organizations and stay competitive, they need to stay on top of new technologies that help create consistent, supported workflows across continents and multiple cities. They need to offer flexible environments conducive to constant change, uncertainty, and the more diverse nature of multinational business practices.”
In Europe, there is a greater prevalence of smaller, independent furniture stores and boutiques, and Europeans are more inclined to prioritize local businesses over big box stores. In the United States, larger chain stores, department stores, and online retailers dominate the market, offering a wide range of furniture options at various price points.