Focus
The range takes a slightly unorthodox look at sustainability by inviting the owner to participate in the making process. In doing so, we can deepen understanding of environmentally responsible design. In recent years the furniture industry has increased demand by promoting design trends. Although this has offered access to affordable design options, the environmental impact is significant. Furniture forms a large percentage of landfill waste. The chemicals used to create materials can remain hazardous long after disposal. Global manufacturing makes employee welfare harder to monitor and transportation consumes vast quantities of fuel. By enhancing the experience of ownership, we believe that we can draw attention to sustainable issues in particularly the environmental consequences of buying low cost furnishings with carefully engineered shelf lives.
Design
Inspired by “Bricolage” (objects re-composed
to assume a new whole) each product repurposes commercial left-overs that would
otherwise be destined for the landfill. Conversely, each design exploits technologies
that were once exclusive to mass production. During the design process we
worked with the following constraints (or opportunities):
The materials used are a “plentiful”
bi-product from a manufacturing process. They should require minimal
processing, cleaning or finishing in order to serve their new purpose.
The component
parts should be assembled with tools and materials available at the average
hardware store. Additional fastenings and supplementary components should be
created by local 3D printing, CNC routing or Laser Cutting services.
Each design
must provide an elegant response to the materials and methods of assembly used.
InnovationThe Erfindsam range offers the public fairly priced alternatives that use materials and manufacturers closer to home. The designs arrive as a kit of parts. Assembly is simple enough that the owner can build within an hour or modify as a result of the making process.
The web portal provides access to digital fabrication files and hosts examples of “hacks” by other owners, highlighting materials, goods and services in their own region. For more passive participants, existing owners or “stakeholders” are invited to help determine annual increases in the cost of the product. Stakeholders, vendors and trade show visitors are asked to calculate the “value” of the products. This data is aggregated and the median price sets the value for the coming year. The website therefore serves as a vehicle to gather user data and explain issues pertinent to the design process; from start to finish.
Sustainability
We believe that engaging the public
in the design process offers first hand exposure to the action steps common to
design. Without an appreciation of systems thinking sustainable design remains
an abstract and misunderstood term.
Erfindsam
designs promote transactions between people; a traditional part of buying
commodities. These exchanges, when translated into the design of furnishings, advocate
for knowledge bases offered by local retail and fabrication companies.
Using nearby materials supports
your local resource recovery initiatives. It is foreseeable that the demand for
materials will increase their commercial value in the future. This will incentivize
larger companies to initiate more efficient distribution strategies. This will expand
the quantities of materials available regionally, and provide consumers with
more variety.
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