This World Environment Day, we asked 6 innovative interior designing brands on how they’ve successfully evolved their designs by including sustainability in their projects.
When it comes to the concept of sustainability, it’s reigning fashion, beauty, hospitality, and every other industry in the world right now. Add interior designing to that list, and you get a statement worth double.
Taking a conscious step towards designing and the environment, brands, manufacturers, and companies all around the country are embracing this important concept not only in their collections but also through their in-house boutiques. We thought, what better day than World Environment Day to highlight these efforts?
In colloquy with some of India’s leading interior brands, here’s how they promise sustainable measures in their projects and beyond:
NIVASA
Amplifying their sustainable efforts, luxury interior brand Nivasa has launched their “Nivasa Foundation” this World Environment Day. Having been under work for almost a year, The Nivasa Foundation’s primary focus will be both environmental sustainability and social sustainability – the first ensuring low environmental damage and low carbon footprints and the latter will drive efforts to enhance lives of Indian craftsmen, artisans, sculptors and the artist.
Under the Nivasa Foundation umbrella, the brand plans on launching an environmentally friendly range of furniture called ‘Nivasa Conscious’. This collection will include pieces made of techniques and materials that are either environmentally friendly or reduce the negative impact on the environment. For instance, the collection will include the use of reclaimed wood, up-cycled fabrics from leftover upholstery, water-based polishes and stains, cane furniture etc. All proceeds from this collection will be employed towards the charitable work done by the Nivasa Foundation.
ELLEMENTARY
Founder of Ellementry, Mr Ayush Baid believes, “Sustainable design is no longer a thing of the future and it is required now so that its benefits will penetrate deep into our lives and slow down the consumption of fast-depleting natural resources.
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“Ellementry is designing products that are recyclable and have multiple uses. For example, the Wax filled candle jar of Ellementry has been designed such that after the candle is over, it can be used as a storage jar to keep other useful stuff. Our coffee mugs that come with a lid act as a coaster. The Twain Jar’s cover is designed in such a way that it can be used as a lid of the Jar and also as the bowl to serve. Ellementry uses materials which are manufactured by limiting papier mache, terracotta, mango wood, etc. The new avatar of an earthen pot – terracotta bottle is always in high demand.”
RIMADESIO
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Available in India through Sources Unlimited, Rimadesio is another brand dedicated all round to be as sustainable as possible. Their complete manufacturing runs on renewable energy. They sell extra energy back to the government. All of their main materials are completely recyclable: i.e. Aluminum & Glass. (And they do continuously recycle every inch of unused aluminum & glass). Paints are water soluble (BPA free), the packaging for all their products is done using recycled cardboard/cartons, and most vehicles used by them are either completely electric or hybrid!
WALL&DECO
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Another brand available exclusively through Sources Unlimited, Wall&Deco recently launched an “ECO” wall coating for their contemporary collection – their main collection with over 1500 designs. It consists of a non-woven fabric covered with cellulose fibre and a polyester base. Made with an ecological production cycle, the new substrate is recyclable, totally PVC-free, and phthalate-free. It has been certified A+ according to the French label (following European norm ISO 16000) regarding VOC emissions, according to Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification. It also respects the Reaction to Fire standard, class B s1 d0, So can be safely used in all residential and working spaces.
APARNA KAUSHIK
One of New Delhi’s leading luxury designers, Aparna Kaushik involves active sustainable designs. “The green architecture is not only limited to exterior and landscaping but also services such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other systems.”
“To reduce the environmental footprint we consulted with mechanical and electrical engineers to use high-efficiency equipment and well planned arrangement. Renewable energy systems, including those that harness solar and wind energy buildings, are also appointed. Solar panels arrays and high- efficiency LED lighting help to reduce energy consumption, while low-flow water fixtures reduce water usage. Native plants are incorporated into the landscaping to not reduce irrigation needs. Lastly, Khareda sandstone has been used on the exterior façade as it is resistant to weathering. It also has a very less environmental footprint which makes it a sustainable material.”
