Baird Architects Unveils Debut Furniture Collection, BA Objeto
Baird Architects, a US-based architecture firm, has launched its first furniture line, 'BA Objeto,' which includes twelve pieces of seating, tables, and shelving. Designed by the firm's founder Matthew Baird, in-house architects, and external collaborators, the collection is manufactured in Portugal. This venture marks a strategic expansion for the studio, moving beyond bespoke furniture to a broader business model that celebrates individual designers' contributions and explores craftsmanship at a more intimate scale.
Objects with Narratives Unveils "What Remains?" Exhibition at PAD London
Objects with Narratives, a Belgian gallery, presents its second exhibition, "What Remains?", at PAD London. This showcase features a diverse collection of textured pieces from designers like Ben Storms and Paul Cocksedge, emphasizing amorphous forms and aged surfaces. The exhibition explores the enduring quality of objects, blurring the lines between past and present, and runs until October 18th.
IKEA Launches Second-Hand Furniture Marketplace in UK and Ireland
IKEA has introduced an online platform for pre-owned furniture and products in the UK and Ireland, offering items at approximately 60% less than new prices. This initiative aims to reduce waste, provide affordable alternatives, and allow access to discontinued designs, reflecting a growing consumer interest in second-hand goods and promoting a more sustainable approach to home furnishing.
In a pioneering move towards environmental responsibility and design innovation, Karimoku New Standard has unveiled a global collaboration with ASICS. This partnership breathes new life into discarded athletic footwear by transforming their foam components into luxurious cushioning for a new line of seating. The initiative not only addresses the issue of waste but also demonstrates how material repurposing can lead to the creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture.
Innovative Upcycling: From Sneakers to Seating
Karimoku New Standard, in collaboration with ASICS, has introduced a groundbreaking furniture collection that redefines sustainable design. This partnership centers on the inventive use of upcycled foam derived from unused ASICS trainers, which now provides the core cushioning for two distinctive seating options: the elegant Castor Lobby Sofa and the comfortable Polar Lounge Chair. This collaboration stands as a testament to both brands' commitment to environmental stewardship, transforming what would otherwise be waste into valuable components for high-quality furniture. The process involves meticulously dismantling deadstock and sample ASICS footwear to extract Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, a material known for its flexibility and lightness, commonly found in shoe midsoles and outsoles. This innovative approach not only diverts materials from landfills but also imbues the furniture with a unique narrative of sustainability and resourcefulness.
The creation of this unique cushioning material is a sophisticated process that begins with the careful deconstruction of ASICS footwear. Each shoe is methodically taken apart, and its components are sorted before the EVA foam is extracted through crushing. This foam, once destined for disposal, is then blended with cotton fibers and combined with a three-millimeter condensed foam sheet, resulting in a novel hybrid structure. This engineered material forms the foundation of the seating's comfort and durability. Beyond its functional benefits, each piece of furniture in this collection features a specially embroidered tag, symbolizing the collaborative effort and the sustainable journey of its components. Originating from an initial project to furnish ASICS' Tokyo office meeting spaces, this collaboration rapidly evolved into a global launch, driven by a shared vision for innovation and sustainability. The project showcases how rigorous research and development, combined with an unwavering commitment to environmental principles, can transform unexpected materials into elements of superior design and functionality.
Sustainable Synergy: A Fusion of Expertise
The collaboration between Karimoku New Standard and ASICS exemplifies a powerful synergy between furniture design and sports science, leading to the development of an innovative cushioning material that is both comfortable and environmentally sound. Through extensive development sessions, leveraging ASICS' deep understanding of sports science and material performance, Karimoku New Standard meticulously refined the application of repurposed shoe waste. This rigorous prototyping phase was crucial in adapting an unconventional material to meet the high standards of furniture comfort and durability required for real-world scenarios. The result is a pioneering hybrid structure that not only utilizes materials from a sustainability perspective but also enhances product value through its unique functional properties. This partnership marks a significant step forward in demonstrating how cross-industry collaboration can unlock new possibilities for sustainable manufacturing and product design.
This pioneering venture was born from a mutual commitment to explore new frontiers in sustainable product development. The initial brief for Karimoku New Standard was to create seating solutions for ASICS' Tokyo office, a project that quickly blossomed into a deeper collaboration focused on material innovation. By combining Karimoku's expertise in furniture craftsmanship with ASICS' knowledge of advanced materials and biomechanics, the teams embarked on a journey to transform discarded trainers into a high-performance cushioning material. The comprehensive development process involved numerous trials and adjustments, ensuring that the new material would not only be eco-friendly but also deliver exceptional comfort and resilience. This unwavering dedication to quality and sustainability ultimately led to the creation of the hybrid foam structure, setting a new benchmark for how waste materials can be integrated into high-end product design, proving that environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with functional enhancement and aesthetic appeal.