From bio-based flooring to recycled fruit lamps and insulating panels made of dog fur, these eco-friendly designers are embracing the future of craft and architecture with innovative sustainable materials around the world
When we think of sustainable materials, bamboo, cork, recycled stone and reclaimed teak often come to mind. These building and surface materials are used extensively in both residential and commercial projects, enough to solidify them as the eco-friendly future of established architectural practices.
But what if we went even further? Creative and experimental designers worldwide are embracing much more unusual sustainable materials in a wide range of projects, be these sturdy floorboards and insulating panels, or small-scale decorative elements such as lamps, trays, vases and other furnishings. With designs hailing from Singapore and Indonesia, as well as distant studios in Italy and Palestine, here are the materials of tomorrow.
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Innovative mycelium floors and mushroom décor
Mushroom filaments may not seem like the sturdiest base for hardwearing floors, but the Italian designers behind Mogu would argue otherwise. Transformed into resilient tiles appropriate for luxury residences and even commercial spaces, the mycelium structure is topped with a layer of bio-based resin, granting it resistance to scratches and abrasions rivalling traditional flooring materials.
Aesthetically, the Mogu floors are inspired by the intrinsic beauty of mycelium and the natural environment, imbuing the surface with “tones of water, forests, earth and sand”. These hues are applied using a water-based, heavy metal-free paint, which lends the mycelium floors a matte, soft finish.