dear designboom reader,

materials used in recent designs may come from everyday objects. it’s a way to recycle waste or even shape other components into their desired forms. the former happened when LAAB 3D printed their eco-pavilion at the 2024 maison&objet fall edition from collected water bottles. the latter is an example by NONGZAO when their mycelium grows on monobloc chairs, lighting fixtures, and more.

designers keep playing with their creative flair to explore circular design in their projects. sometimes, they repurpose microalgae and industrial waste biomass, as laura bordini does when she turns them into packaging materials. other times, they tinker with bacterial cellulose, like carolina de lara, who explores the interaction between this living material and knit textiles.

thanks for reading!

matthew burgos | editor