Sustainability and Innovation in Design

Here's something that might not surprise you: Earth's lungs are disappearing.

 

I bet that you already know that the Amazon rainforest plays a massive part in regulating the Earth's carbon and oxygen cycles, and that it is home to countless fauna and diverse tribes, but unfortunately, the size of a football field is cut or burned every minute.

 

Thankfully, an awakening is guiding the design & fashion industry towards increased sustainability.

Several well-known artisans have shown efforts in battling against unsustainability while creating beautiful works of art. Applying techniques of innovation and creativity to set themselves apart from other designers.

 

 

 

Among those talented designers are Sergio Rodrigues, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Jorge Zalszupin. These artists worked hard to make a name for themselves in the ever-growing furniture design industry. Still, their philosophy and goals towards sustainability distinguish them from the rest. As Brazilian designers, the deforestation in their country drove them to find another solution: to use the best pieces of local reclaimed wood for designing their art and furniture.

 

What is Reclaimed Wood?

The definition might be obvious, but a lot goes into defining this type of wood. 

 

Generally, reclaimed wood is material that is repurposed or recycled for use. 

 

Don't let the name fool you. 

Reclaimed wood is often desirable because vintage structures and buildings are usually the only way to source old-growth wood. 

 

Not only is this type of wood diverted from landfills, but it is also being turned into something beautiful with a purpose. Strong and sturdy, reclaimed wood is usually used to build homes and as a medium for interior furnishing. 

 

These eclectic luxury furniture designs promote longevity, sustainability, beauty, and authenticity. The artists and woodworkers that use this type of wood are making it a point not to cut down any trees for material, but rather, reuse them from other sources.

 

 

You might be thinking: Does Reclaimed Wood really make a difference?

(According to a study, YES!)

 

 A study designed by the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca in Romania used Life Cycle Analysis: a tool designed to measure the environmental impact of products considering all life cycle stages to determine the sustainability of using different raw materials. The study compared raw materials in the furniture industry as a sustainable replacement, and the results show that using reclaimed wood "contributes significantly to the overall reduction of the environmental impact." (Badiu & Dragomir, 237).

 

Hopefully, learning about the shifting paradigm guiding artisans and designers alike to elegantly craft sustainable work from ethical sources arms you with the knowledge you need to make your own decisions regarding furnishing your space. Understanding the details of the origin and material of your furniture gives you an edge against others in the furniture and design industry.

 

At Edgedecor, we are proud to follow the footsteps of skilled artisans focusing on sustainable measures and reducing the carbon footprint while providing luxury craftsmanship and impeccable pieces of work.