P R O L E A R N
REGENERATIVE DESIGN
Regenerative Design is an approach that seeks to create systems that are not just sustainable, but that actively restore and renew the environment and communities. It goes beyond doing less harm to actively doing good, mimicking nature's ability to regenerate and evolve.
Key Principles
Net-Positive Impact: Aims to improve ecological health, human wellbeing, and social equity.
Systems Thinking: Considers the interconnectedness of human and natural systems.
Place-Based Solutions: Tailors designs to specific local ecological and social contexts.
Continuous Evolution: Designs for adaptability and ongoing improvement over time.
Benefits
Environmental Restoration: Regenerative projects can actively improve biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Enhanced Resilience: Systems designed regeneratively are often more adaptable to environmental changes.
Social and Economic Value: Can create new opportunities for community development and green economies.
Challenges and Considerations
Complexity: Requires understanding and integrating multiple complex systems.
Measurement: Defining and quantifying "net-positive" impacts can be challenging.
Paradigm Shift: Requires a fundamental change in how we approach design and development.
Innovative Applications
Living Buildings: Structures that generate more energy than they use and process their own waste.
Urban Agriculture: Integrating food production into city landscapes to improve food security and reduce carbon footprint.
Circular Economy Products: Designing products that not only avoid waste but contribute positively to material cycles.
Future Outlook
As climate change impacts intensify, regenerative design is likely to become increasingly crucial. We can expect to see more integration of regenerative principles in building codes, urban planning policies, and product development strategies.
Call to Action:
Evaluate your current projects for opportunities to incorporate regenerative design principles. Consider how you can move beyond sustainability to create designs that actively restore and revitalise ecosystems and communities.
Formafantasma is a research-based design studio founded in 2009 by Italian designers Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin. Originally based in the Netherlands, the studio relocated to Milan in 2021. Formafantasma investigates the ecological, historical, political and social forces shaping design today. Their founding mission was to facilitate a deeper understanding of our natural and built environments through transformative design interventions. Formafantasma's core values center around material research, sustainable production methods, and critical analysis of design's impacts on society and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Milan, Italy.
Primary studio location: Via Privata Assab 1, Milan.
Previously based in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The Circular Vision
Formafantasma embraces circular economy principles by prioritizing renewable, recycled and locally-sourced materials in their designs.
Key innovations enabling circularity include extensive material research, designing for disassembly/reuse, and closed-loop manufacturing processes.
The studio advocates for localized supply chains and production methods attentive to their environmental footprint.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects showcasing circularity: Cambio (timber industry research), Botanica (plant-based polymers), Ore Streams (e-waste recycling).
Unique value propositions: Merging critical research with commercial design, material innovation, transdisciplinary collaborations.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Sustainable material lifecycles, design for environment/society, circular business models.
Ambitious goals: Become a leading voice promoting ethical, ecological and socially-responsible design practices.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products through brand partners like Flos, Dzek, Artek, Fendi.
Environmental Product Declarations: Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Entire practice centered on circularity).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Higher-end positioning but increasing accessibility).
Material Passport: Extensive material research/traceability data.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, a core tenet of their approach.
Carbon Performance: Aim for low-impact through local sourcing/production.
Key Takeaway
Formafantasma is pioneering a research-driven approach that elevates design as a catalyst for positive environmental and social change, setting new benchmarks for ethical, circular practices in the industry.
Explore Further
Formafantasma website: https://formafantasma.com
Sustainability overview: https://formafantasma.com/about
Solidwool is a UK-based company founded in 2013 by Justin and Hannah Floyd. The company was established with the mission to create sustainable design using wool, specifically the coarse wool from Herdwick sheep, which had lost its value. Solidwool's current mission focuses on transforming waste materials into valuable, aesthetically pleasing products. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and craftsmanship, with a purpose to inspire a more sustainable approach to design and production.
Location
Headquarters: The Long Barn, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1EL, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Devon, United Kingdom.
Note: Strategic location in Devon to foster creativity and collaboration with local partners.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and bio-based materials, and creating products that are fully recyclable.
Key innovations: Development of composite materials using wool and bio-resin, eliminating the use of reactive solvents, and reducing raw material usage by 65% compared to traditional engineered quartz.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on local materials and production to minimize environmental impact.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Hembury Chair, side tables, and other furniture made from Solidwool composite material.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, sustainable materials that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. Solidwool's products are known for their unique aesthetics and innovative use of waste materials.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable materials, optimizing recycling processes, and developing new circular design principles.
Ambitious goals: To lead the material design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products available through direct sales on the Solidwool website and select retailers.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in sustainable materials).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and bio-based materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and material reuse.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through sustainable materials and local production.
Key Takeaway
Solidwool is a pioneering company that transforms waste into high-quality, sustainable materials, setting a benchmark for circularity and environmental responsibility in the design industry.
Explore Further
Solidwool website: https://www.solidwool.com/home
Material overview: https://www.solidwool.com/material
Example product: Hembury Chair - https://www.solidwool.com/shop/hembury-chair-colour-hazel
Malai Eco is a sustainable materials company founded by Susmith C S, a product designer and maker from Kerala, India, and Zuzana Gombosova, a material researcher. The company was established with the mission to create a new, sustainable material from agricultural waste, specifically from the coconut industry in Southern India. Malai's current mission focuses on producing high-quality, eco-friendly materials that can replace animal leather and synthetic alternatives. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and responsibility, with a purpose to transform waste into valuable resources and promote a circular economy.
Location
Headquarters: Kerala, India.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Southern India, working alongside local coconut farmers and processing units.
Note: Strategic location in Southern India to optimize local sourcing, distribution, and collaboration with coconut farmers.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using organic and sustainable materials, and creating products that are fully biodegradable.
Key innovations: Development of Malai, a material made from bacterial cellulose grown on agricultural waste sourced from the coconut industry. The process involves fermenting coconut water to produce bacterial cellulose, which is then combined with natural fibers to create a durable and flexible material.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using local agricultural waste and production to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Malai material, which can be used for various applications such as fashion accessories, footwear, and interior design.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, sustainable material that prioritizes circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. Malai is known for its versatility, durability, and eco-friendly properties.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable material technologies, optimizing production processes, and developing new applications for Malai.
Ambitious goals: To lead the material industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products and materials available through direct sales and partnerships with brands.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Designed for full circularity).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in sustainable materials).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of organic and sustainable materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and material reuse.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through sustainable materials and local production.
Key Takeaway
Malai transforms agricultural waste into high-quality, sustainable materials, setting a benchmark for circularity and environmental responsibility in the material design industry.
Explore Further
Malai website: https://malai.eco
Sustainability overview: https://malai.eco/blogs/malai-material
Example product: Malai material - https://malai.eco/collections/materials
Ottan Studio is a green-tech company founded by Ayşe Yılmaz, based in London, UK, with operations in Ankara, Turkey. The studio was established with the mission to develop innovative materials from food and agricultural waste, promoting sustainability in design and construction. Ottan's current mission focuses on transforming organic waste into high-quality, durable bio-composite materials for use in interior design, furniture, and architectural applications. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and circular economy principles, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between waste, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Ankara, Turkey, with potential for local production in various regions.
Note: Strategic locations to leverage expertise in biotechnology and design, while fostering international collaborations and supporting local waste management initiatives.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using food and agricultural waste as raw materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of bio-composite materials containing 50% to 90% upcycled organic waste, such as fruit peels, expired grains, nut shells, and leaves. These materials retain natural colors and textures without artificial additives.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Strong emphasis on collecting waste from local producers, supporting regional waste management, and reducing transportation burdens.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Eggy & Moon" materials (made from eggshells and pistachio shells), various bio-composite panels for interior applications, and collaborations with designers for furniture and decorative objects.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, durable bio-composite materials that prioritize circularity, waste reduction, and environmental responsibility. Ottan's work is known for its ability to transform food and agricultural waste into valuable, aesthetically pleasing materials for various applications.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing bio-composite material development techniques, exploring new applications for food and agricultural waste, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in material production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the materials industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste production systems, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design and usage in construction and interior design.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Bio-composite materials available for interior wall coverings, furniture, and various design products.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles and waste reduction).
Key Certifications: Winner of several sustainability challenges and incubator programs.
Cost Rating: Information not available.
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability with 65-85% organic waste content in each material.
Designed for Disassembly: Information not explicitly provided, but emphasis on sustainability suggests potential for end-of-life considerations.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of waste materials and local production. Committed to lowering the carbon footprint of produced goods.
Key Takeaway
Ottan Studio transforms the materials industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and waste reduction in bio-composite material development for interior design and construction.
Explore Further
Ottan Studio website: https://www.ottanstudio.com
Ananas Anam is an innovative company founded by Dr. Carmen Hijosa, dedicated to creating sustainable textiles from agricultural waste. The company is best known for developing Piñatex®, a natural leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibers. Ananas Anam's current approach focuses on integrating circular economy principles into their production processes, creating eco-friendly and socially responsible materials. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and social impact, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: The Philippines (for raw material processing) and Spain (for finishing processes).
Note: Strategic locations allow Ananas Anam to leverage local agricultural waste and expertise in sustainable textile production.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using agricultural by-products, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of Piñatex®, a sustainable alternative to leather, and Piñayarn®, a plant-based yarn. Both products are made from pineapple leaf fibers, a by-product of pineapple farming.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using waste materials from pineapple farming, processed locally in the Philippines, and finished in Spain, ensuring a traceable and sustainable supply chain.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Piñatex® (a sustainable leather alternative used in fashion, footwear, and interiors), Piñayarn® (a sustainable yarn for woven and knitted applications), and various collaborations with brands like Hugo Boss, H&M, and Nike.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable material development techniques, exploring new applications for pineapple leaf fibers, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in textile production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the textile industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design and usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Textiles and design materials available through collaborations with fashion and interior brands.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles and waste reduction in textile production).
Key Certifications: Certified B Corporation, Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award (2016), Cartier Women’s Initiative Award (2015).
Cost Rating: High-end pricing for innovative and sustainable textile materials.
Material Passport: Detailed use of pineapple leaf fibers in products, with emphasis on their environmental and social significance.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products like Piñayarn® are designed to be fully recyclable and biodegradable.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of agricultural waste and sustainable production methods. Specific carbon metrics not provided.
Key Takeaway
Ananas Anam transforms the textile industry through innovative use of agricultural waste, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary sustainable design.
Explore Further
Ananas Anam website: https://www.ananas-anam.com
Erez Nevi Pana is an Israeli designer and artist known for his innovative approach to sustainable and vegan design. Born in 1983, Nevi Pana established his practice with the mission to investigate natural phenomena and environmental processes through material experimentation. His work emphasizes the use of organic and sustainable materials, promoting a circular economy and ethical design practices. Core values include sustainability, veganism, and material innovation, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Based in Israel, with significant work and collaborations in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various global locations for projects and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using organic and sustainable materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and ethical practices.
Key innovations: Development of materials such as salt and fungi-based composites, and the exploration of vegan design principles that exclude the use of animal products. Projects like "Crystalline" and "Soil and Fungi" showcase the potential for creating sustainable design solutions using natural processes.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Nevi Pana's portfolio includes innovative projects such as "Crystalline" (using salt crystallization to create furniture and objects), "Soil and Fungi" (developing materials from organic mixtures), and various other works that explore the potential of vegan and sustainable design.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable material development techniques, exploring new applications for organic and vegan materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and material usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with brands and institutions.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles and vegan design in material production).
Key Certifications: Works held in permanent collections of the Design Museum Holon and other prestigious institutions.
Cost Rating: High-end pricing for collectible design pieces.
Material Passport: Detailed use of organic and sustainable materials in projects, with emphasis on their environmental and ethical significance.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, many projects focus on biodegradable materials that can be safely returned to the environment.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of organic materials and local production. Specific carbon metrics not provided.
Key Takeaway
Erez Nevi Pana transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles and vegan design, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Erez Nevi Pana website: https://ereznevipana.com
Project example: Crystalline
Studio Sanne Visser is a design studio founded by Dutch designer Sanne Visser, based in London, UK. Established in 2016, the studio was founded with the mission to explore material innovation and sustainability through design research. Studio Sanne Visser's current mission focuses on closing the loop of the human hair waste stream through design and research to add value to the circular bio-economy. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and waste reduction, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using human hair as a sustainable material resource, and creating closed-loop systems for material production.
Key innovations: Development of techniques to transform human hair waste into yarns, ropes, and other materials for use in various products. Projects like "The New Age of Trichology" showcase innovative uses of human hair in design.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on collecting hair waste from local hairdressers and collaborating with local craftspeople to create sustainable, locally-sourced products.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "The New Age of Trichology" (transforming human hair into utilitarian objects), "Extended" (creating mirrors using human hair rope), and ongoing PhD research on integrating human hair into the circular bio-economy.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize circularity, waste reduction, and environmental responsibility. Studio Sanne Visser's work is known for its ability to transform overlooked waste materials into desirable, sustainable alternatives.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing material innovation techniques for human hair, exploring new applications for hair-based materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in material production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices using human hair, create zero-waste production systems, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design and usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services, products, and research available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with industry.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles and waste reduction).
Key Certifications: Information not available, but nominated for various awards including AFFA Award and New Material Award.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with innovative material development services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability focusing on human hair waste streams.
Designed for Disassembly: Information not explicitly provided, but emphasis on circular systems suggests consideration for end-of-life.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of waste materials and local production. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
Studio Sanne Visser transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and waste reduction by reimagining human hair as a valuable material resource.
Explore Further
Studio Sanne Visser website: https://sannevisser.com
About Sanne Visser: https://sannevisser.com/About
Hors Studio is a Paris-based design firm founded by Elodie Michaud and Rebecca Fezard in 2016. The studio was established with the mission to explore the transformation of materials and their ennoblement, focusing on sustainable and environmentally conscious design. Hors Studio's current mission emphasizes creating biomaterials from waste materials, promoting circular economy principles in design. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and material research, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Paris, France.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and waste materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of biomaterials from waste materials, including the Precious Kitchen project, an open-source platform for material design through waste recovery.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Hors Studio's portfolio includes innovative projects such as Precious Kitchen (an open-source platform for material design using waste), and various projects exploring the transformation of waste materials into valuable design resources.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable material development techniques, exploring new applications for waste materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design and usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with brands and institutions.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles and waste reduction in design).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and waste materials in projects.
Designed for Disassembly: Information not explicitly provided, but emphasis on sustainable practices suggests consideration for material lifecycle.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of waste materials and local production. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
Hors Studio transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Hors Studio website: https://www.hors-studio.fr
Biohm is a pioneering research and development company founded by Dr. Ehab Sayed. The company's mission is to revolutionize the construction industry by allowing nature to lead innovation, creating regenerative, high-performance materials and products for the built environment. Biohm's core values revolve around biomimicry, circular economy principles, and human-centered design. The company aims to drive a paradigm shift in building technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods, leading the entire sector towards a circular future inspired by nature.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Watchet, West Somerset (first manufacturing facility in collaboration with Onion Collective CIC).
Note: Strategic locations to optimize local sourcing, distribution, and collaboration with industry partners.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using bio-based and recycled materials, closed-loop manufacturing processes.
Key innovations: Mycelium insulation, Orb (Organic Refuse Biocompound), Triagomy (interlocking construction system), bio-manufacturing techniques.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains is a key focus.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Mycelium insulation, Orb (plant-based alternative to concrete), Triagomy construction system.
Unique value propositions: Carbon-negative buildings, agile infrastructure, drastic reductions in environmental impact, build times, and costs.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing biomimetic biotechnologies, sustainable material lifecycles, circular business models.
Ambitious goals: Revolutionizing the construction industry, creating a healthier and regenerative built environment.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products and services available through partnerships and collaborations.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Designed for full circularity).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: Information not available.
Material Passport: Extensive use of bio-based and recycled materials, detailed material traceability.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, Triagomy system designed for deconstruction and reuse.
Carbon Performance: Focus on carbon-negative buildings and reducing environmental impact.
Key Takeaway
Biohm is a pioneering force in sustainable construction, harnessing biomimetic principles and circular economy strategies to create regenerative building solutions that prioritize human, environmental, and economic needs, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
Explore Further
Biohm website: https://www.biohm.co.uk
Sustainability overview: https://www.biohm.co.uk/about