i + D - March/April 2020 - 16

Materials
Storytelling

ALL
THAT'S
GOOD

2.
C

The storytelling practice is nurturing the overall
eco-conscious conversation as ideas of better living by
design become more mainstream and more clients want
to know the backstories of everything that will make
up their home, office, place of business, etc.
Sustainable design that fosters wellbeing and is friendly
to the environment is increasingly assumed in today's
design world but the "how" still is important. There is
a consistently growing roster of ways in which a product
can be good for the planet or good for people. Telling
the stories from the progression of an idea to purpose
to fi nished product to performance and benefit studies
is helping products with admirable attributes garner
attention and will only continue to rise in importance.
And, if recent launches are any indication, the
backstories are only going to get more interesting.
-Jennifer Quail

CMY

1. TARKETT. Winner of a Red Dot Award, iD
Mixonomi is an LVT line by Tarkett that is certified
asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America. Intended for commercial
projects like schools, hotels, and corporate offi ces,
where expression of a brand is key, the collection's
11 shapes and 34 globally inspired hues allow
designers the freedom to create unique designs for
clients. The product also is 100 percent recyclable
through Tarkett's ReStart reclamation program.
2. FRITZ HANSEN. Crafted from fully circular
plastic, the N02 Recycle chair from Fritz Hansen
was designed by Japanese studio nendo and is
redefi ning ideas about household waste. With a
design inspired by a simple crease in paper, the
recycled polypropylene chair is sturdy and stackable
and available in seven colors with multiple leg
options. The plastic used for the chair comes from
household plastic waste that is collected, processed,
and upcycled in central Europe. The plastic can later
be recycled again if necessary.

i+D - March/April 2020

3. FIL DOUX TEXTILES. The company
calls it "The Conscious Choice" because
the Otratex line of textiles by Fil Doux is the
fi rst degradable vinyl alternative. Designed
for the hospitality, healthcare, cruise, and
contract markets, Otratex utilizes natural
enzymes that are embedded in the material
during production to create enhanced
degradability. When placed in an anaerobic
environment like a landfi ll, the material will
fully decompose over time and return to the
natural elements that comprise it.
4. PARADIGM TRENDS. Intended for the
hospitality market, new bench options from
Paradigm Trends enlist mango wood, genuine
leather, and iron to create multi-functioning
pieces that can serve as luggage storage or
extra seating. Mango wood is Paradigm's
sustainable choice as the mango trees,
which grow predominantly in India, mature
quickly and stop bearing fruit after several
years. The wood is harvested from these older
trees (rather than simply discarding them),
and a new generation of trees is planted,
thereby creating a sustainable growth system.
Using wood from cut-down trees also reduces
carbon emissions.

Image 1: Tarkett/Image 2: Fritz Hansen/Image 3: Fil Doux Textiles/Image 4: Paradigm Trends

DESIGN PROFESSIONALS HAVE BECOME
ACCUSTOMED TO BEING TOLD A PRODUCT IS
SUSTAINABLE IN NATURE AND KNOW BY NOW
WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK OF MANUFACTURERS.
HOWEVER, AS MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS
BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF
SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY DESIGN, PRODUCT
DESIGNERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE MAKING
CERTAIN THEY PROPERLY RELAY THEIR
ECO-FRIENDLY AND HEALTH-FOCUSED EFFORTS
VIA THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS, AS WELL
AS THEIR OWN TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT
COMES TO TELLING THEIR MATERIAL STORY.

i + D - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i + D - March/April 2020