http://www.somastudiomilano.com/

Soma Studio Milano, Milan (2026)

18/05/2021

[ ARE BIOPLASTICS PLANET-SAFE? ]⁣
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Bioplastics have never been a straightforward solution. Whenever researching it, we find so many different views and approaches that lead us to more questions and concerns than conclusions. ⁣
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Some weeks ago, we came across a pretty relevant article from GreenBiz that helped us answer many of our questions but above all confirmed that bioplastics are indeed a complicated solution. ⁣
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We have summarised some of the article's main points, such as (1) the meaning of bioplastics, (2) differences between PLAs and PHAs bioplastics, (3) environment impact, (4) niche applications and (5) conclusion. ⁣
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THE MEANING OF BIOPLASTICS ⁣
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Bioplastics are usually perceived as a material that will quickly biodegrade in the environment. But unfortunately, this is not always the case. ⁣
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The word "bioplastics" is usually used to refer to two concepts:⁣
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1. Bio-based plastics: plastics made at least partly from biological matter⁣
2. Biodegradable plastics: plastics that can be completely broken down by microbes in a specific timeframe, given specific conditions. ⁣
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BUT bear in mind that not all bio-based plastics are biodegradable, and not all biodegradable plastics are bio-based. And even biodegradable plastics may not biodegrade in every environment. ⁣
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FEELING CONFUSED?⁣
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We've warned you; bioplastics are complicated. So if you want to dig deeper, go ahead and read the full post on our blog (link in bio).⁣
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After reading the post, let us know if you think bioplastics can be labelled as a planet-safe material. Leave your comment here or on the blog!⁣
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10/03/2021

[ FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE⁣ ]
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Most human activities generate some form of waste but it seems that “society separates us from both the resources we extract and the waste we produce: garbage goes out the door in a bag or can.” - as Arthur Weissman from Green Seal well puts. Waste, however, doesn’t disappear just because we took it out of our houses or industries.⁣
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A growing number of designers are exploring waste streams from various industries. Product designer Lucy Hughes is one of them. She created a bioplastic out of waste stream rather than⁣
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Lucy got in contact with MCB Seafoods, a British fish processing plant and wholesaler. In a plant tour, she identified various waste streams to work with, and discovered that fish skins and scales had the most potential locked up in them due to their flexibility and strength, enabling proteins. After more than 100 different experiments, Lucy came up with MarinaTex.⁣
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MEET MARINATEX⁣
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MarinaTex is a bioplastic film made from fish scales and skin — waste products that would usually be buried in a landfill or incinerated. In search of an organic binding agent for her sheet material prototype, Lucy found in the Sussex coastline a gelatinous substance obtained from the cell walls of some species of red algae. ⁣
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Due to its organic formula, MarinaTex can break down in home composts or food-waste bins within four to six weeks and do not leak harmful chemicals.⁣
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MarinaTex is translucent, flexible and has a higher tensile strength than LDPE - the most common material for plastic bags. Therefore, it has a variety of different applications, from bags to single-use packaging.⁣
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A CIRCULAR USE FOR FISH WASTE⁣
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A report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has found that 50 million tons of fish are wasted every year. MarinaTex turns waste into resources to produce a circular product and at the same time deals with the plastic pollution issue. One Atlantic cod is enough to produce 1,400 MarinaTex bags. And for all of that, MarinaTex received the James Dyson Award 2019 (UK).⁣ Well-deserved!⁣
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17/11/2020

[KEEP UP WITH CHALLENGING TIMES ]

Design is a realm of challenges. You can probably relate to this statement if you work in the design industry. Challenges are never steady, however, they evolve as time goes by and according to people's need and world issues.

Back in the late 19th and early 20th-century "form follows function" was posed as the most crucial design challenge and principle. Later on, although many people agreed that design without purpose was a mere distraction, they also started to argue that without beauty, design would become dull and uninviting.

In our 21st century, designers must strive not only for function and beauty but above all for a sustainable future. We have been observing in design fairs and events plenty of initiatives that challenge designers to create with sustainable and circular materials. For instance, back in 2019, the Salone Satellite chose as its theme: "Food as a Design Object" . Some weeks ago, we spot projects such as Keep It Going taking place at the Dutch Design Week 2020.

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KEEP IT GOING

Keep It Going project took place virtually at the Dutch Design Week 2020 and aimed to establish a continuity between creativity, planning, craftsmanship and sustainable design. It showcased the work of Italian and international designers to created pieces with Keep Life material.

Keep Life is a composite material malleable and self-hardening produced using nutshells, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios and peanuts to which is added a binder with no toxic substances, solvents and formaldehyde. The material was born in 2015 and in 2017 was licensed and recognised as an industrial invention.

In this post, we have tagged all the designers that accept the Keep It Going challenge. Go ahead and have a look at their amazing work and make sure to follow up with !

13/11/2020

[ THE BEAUTY OF PLASTIC WASTE]⁣
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The power of design lies, among other things, in its ability to give shape and colours to stories. Some stories are indeed sweet, while others can be pretty sour. ⁣
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FROM SOUR TO SWEET STORIES⁣
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From a very early age, Dutch designer Lisanne Kamphuis used to visit plastic factories with her dad who has been working in this industry for more than 30 years. She has always been fascinated by the unlimited possibilities of plastics and fantasized about shapes and applications for the plastic waste stream.⁣
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Lisanne's interest in plastic has finally led her to found KUNST-S, a sustainable design studio based in the Netherlands. The studio mission is to show to the plastics industry and the outside world, the beauty of plastic waste.⁣
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With this goal in mind, Lisanne started developing a unique processing technique in her graduation year. With this technique, Lisanne's studio manages to give plastic features that are similar to high-quality materials such as stone, marble and ceramics.⁣
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The studio works in collaboration with other industries and their partners support them in various ways from raw materials, technical support, financial support to a push in the right direction.⁣
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For the occasion of the Dutch Design Week 2020, KUNST-S showcased "The Beauty of Plastic Waste" collection - a series of vases made out of more than 600 Ferrero Rocher candy plastic wrappers. Since the vases are made from one specific waste stream, Polypropylene – it is possible to recycle these objects in the future. All the waste generated from this and other products is again used by KUNST-S to make new products; thus, the studio's production is zero waste.⁣
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We love the final design outcome and how Lisanne and her team are transforming the sour story of plastic waste into a sweet and circular one!

📸 credit: courtesy of KUNST-S

10/11/2020

[ WILL BEAUTY SAVE THE WORLD? ]⁣
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Industrial designer and contemporary artist Yaroslava Galayko believes that social distance has made clear that art is a necessity, and we as humans need to be surrounded by beauty. It was during her isolation that Yaroslava designed and made her stunning Cosmic Coral table.⁣
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The Cosmic Coral table is an example of an aesthetically attractive object from recycled plastic materials. Its base is made of recycled low-pressure high-density HDPE polyethene in granules. The sculptural table frame is formed by spot heating and by putting material layer by layer. As a result, the base does not have any additional binders so that it can be recycled again.⁣
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According to the Russian designer, when people see the Cosmic Coral table for the first time, "they usually don't recognise the material of the base and keep on guessing; salt, mineral…"⁣
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With Cosmic Coral table, Yaroslava wants to draw people's attention to the environmental damage caused due to plastic waste and to prove that an object made of recycled plastics can make a bold artistic statement.⁣
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For the last four years, Yaroslava Galayko has been working with green materials that are safe for people and the environment as well as manufactured sustainably. Her furniture pieces are attempts to find a balance between art, comfort, eco-friendly materials and manufacturing technologies. She is currently researching various ways to make furniture from recycled plastics and also working on the collection of objects such as Cosmic Coral.⁣
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We came across Yaroslava Galayko work during the Dutch Design Week 2020 and just like her; we do believe beauty and design can save the world! ⁣
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📸 credit: Yaroslava Galayko⁣
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09/11/2020

We believe change can only happen through collaboration. And it couldn’t be different since we are a designer and communicator duo working within circular design and sustainability. For us, collaboration is a core value shared by all these disciplines.

SOMA & IB COLLAB

In 2018, we started collaborating with the award-winning interior and design blog created by Italian architect Elisabetta Rizzato. We first started our collaboration by writing a blog column dedicated to circular design. And then for the occasion of the Milan Design Week 2019, we co-created a Trend Webinar and E-book with the latest news and trends from the fair, including the main highlights on sustainable and circular design.

After that, we’ve decided to create an exclusive platform with on-demand and hands-on resources to help creative professionals and businesses to identify what is next in interior and design. So that they can stay ahead, make better decisions and find new opportunities and ways to collaborate.

1st ANNIVERSARY AND COUNTING

Last September, we celebrated one year of our platform, and we are delighted to be growing our community over the globe, from Europe to Asia. We feel grateful and lucky to be reaching people from different nations and share with them our passion for design and sustainability. Hopefully inspiring them in good and also in difficult times!

VIRTUAL TOUR

To celebrate our 1st anniversary and our amazing collaboration with , we have prepared a virtual tour into our platform. Check out our IGTV video to find out more about our team, content and to get a taste of our latest trend guide!

06/11/2020

[ A NEW TAKE ON CONCRETE ]⁣
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Up to a few years ago, concrete used to be relegated to sidewalks, garages, and basements. The concrete trend also referred to as the cement trend – has become popular with architects and interior designer exploring this material in home flooring, fixtures, and shelving. At the same time, artisans have also begun to explore concrete to craft stunning decor pieces, from candleholders to planters and lamps.⁣
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Although concrete may seem cold, this material creates a neutral backdrop for almost any design style from industrial to minimalist. It can also boost a tactile look and feel in interiors and objects.⁣
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THE SUSTAINABLE LIGHTNESS OF CONCRETECIMENTO
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CIMENTO is an Italian brand manufacturing panels for wall, floor and facade claddings made of a unique patented cement amalgam which uses over 90% mineral aggregates mixed with a cement binder. ⁣
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The material called CIMENTO® is obtained with natural components, produced entirely in Italy in a factory within an eco-sustainable approach, attested by green international certifications such as FSC and PEFC.⁣
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CIMENTO® brings the exposed concrete effect by combining innovative technology with artisan experience. It also reinterprets traditional concrete through new tactile and aesthetic values, structural lightness and wide application versatility.⁣
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In 2020, the brand launched a new collection "CIMENTO®: THE SUSTAINABLE LIGHTNESS OF CONCRETECIMENTO" comprising pieces created by international designers: Defne Koz + Marco Susani, Omri Revesz, Parisotto + Formenton and Studio 63. They came up with sculptural objects for both classic and contemporary spaces as well as indoor and outdoor spaces.⁣
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Tables, coffee tables, stools, benches, storage systems and complements all make a bold statement with their tactile feeling, solid look and as the brand claims "light soul".⁣
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CIMENTO contemporary furniture collection for 2020 gives voice to all the aesthetics and technical connotations of Cimento while present suggestive chromatic palettes within a sustainable production process. ⁣

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CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FREE TRIAL FOR MORE UPDATES ON SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TRENDS
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LINK IN BIO

04/11/2020

[ SHIMMERING WOOD ]⁣
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Whenever we think about wood, shades of brown, grey, and green inevitably come to our minds. Structural Colour Studio, a platform for collaborative projects between design and materials science – is challenging this perception.⁣
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The studio is turning wood into iridescent colours, and their inspiration comes from nature’s brightest shades such as those found in peacock feathers or butterfly wings.⁣
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As they explain, these colours are created through microscopically small structures, and when light hits them, our eyes automatically perceive intense and vivid colours. By mimicking this logic, the studio proposes the so-called “structural colour”. Unlike traditional pigments or dyes, this type of colour arises from the physical structure of the material, without the need for chemical compounds.⁣
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While shiny or glittery effects – trendy in fashion and design, are usually created using toxic pigments, plastic-based materials or metallic foils, the structural colour is nontoxic, produced 100% from wood in an economically viable process, and does not fade in sunlight. ⁣
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The structural colour presents a sustainable alternative to these traditional colourants, a new take on wood while providing sensorial experiences. ⁣
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Want to find out more about sustainable design innovation and trends?⁣⁣
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CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FREE TRIAL⁣⁣
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Until 15th November you can join our trend membership for free and have a taste of our contents from trend reports to e-books! Try today, link in bio.⁣
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📷 credit: Structural Colour Studio

02/11/2020

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[ CRAFTING PLASTICS! ]⁣
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Crafting plastics! is a design studio based between Berlin and Bratislava, that offers bioplastic solutions using 100% oil-free and compostable material. ⁣
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We came across their work during the London Design Festival 2018 when they first showcased NUATAN a new brand for bioplastics solutions for high-end designer products to daily use consumer goods.⁣
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ABOUT NUATAN⁣
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By merging circular design approach and material science, NUATAN brings new innovative materials into our day-to-day life. Its solutions are using 100% biobased material polymerized from corn starch and metabolized by microorganisms. The unique patented formula is an ecological alternative to standard synthetic plastic. ⁣
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NUATAN degrades in industrial compost into water, CO2 and biomass within 120 days. The studio is currently working on a home-compost version.

The material is a great choice for reusable tableware since it has temperature resistance and food contact certificate.⁣
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The brand has launched a new tableware collection that consists of single-piece plates and boards that are playful in their form and characteristics. To achieve such colours, the designers experiment with mineral or vegetable pigments. They also combined low craft techniques with high-tech machinery.⁣
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At the London Design Festival this year, the studio showcased the NUATAN CUP which aims to replace the traditional single-use cups in cafes, festivals and markets with a natural alternative that can decompose at the end of its lifecycle. The good news is that NUATAN Cup is in pilot production and can already be pre-ordered right now.⁣
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Overall NUATAN material can be tailored into a variety of end materials for applications ranging from interior objects, fashion accessories, houseware, to consumer electronics parts.⁣
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Want to find out more about circular design innovation and trends?⁣
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CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FREE TRIAL⁣
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Until 15th November you can join our trend membership for free and have a taste of our contents from trend reports to e-books! Try today, link in bio.⁣
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With ⁣
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28/10/2020

[ What makes a design unique ]⁣
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Although there is more than one answer to this question, we strongly believe that when it comes to uniqueness and timeless design, identity is key.⁣
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During the Milano Design City 2020, we came to across the Ukrainian design studio Faina and its breathtaking design pieces. The studio seeks to transform traditions into contemporary minimalist design objects respectfully and sustainably.⁣
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MEET SOME OF FAINA's DESIGNS⁣
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SONIAH lamp and ZTISTA chairs featured in this post present unique tactile surfaces that are made of an organic material created by Faina and called 'ztista'.⁣
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Ztista is inspired by the old craft technique used for traditional Ukrainian dwelling. The material blends clay, wood chips, straw, linen, and recycled paper and have the ability to decompose in soil.⁣
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Both lamp and chairs are created by local Ukrainian artisans who still use ancient manual techniques. "In their hands the seemingly fragile nature of clay turned out to be very reliable and modern-looking in the aesthetic sense," explains the studio.⁣
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Faina's designs reclaim Ukrainian tradition and belief that clay is beneficial for health and wellbeing. In fact, in the country, clay is widely used in homes to make benches and beds, as well as structural elements such as walls. According to one of the brand's founders – Yakusha, in some Ukrainian villages, clay is seen as a material that can "heal people, filling their hearts with warmth and their bodies with living energy. "⁣
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We find Faina's work truly unique as the studio manages to build a bridge between contemporary design, cultural heritage and care for the environment.

26/10/2020

[ BACK TO MATERIALS SERIES ]⁣
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Last June, invited us to host a series of live talks about biomaterials for the occasion of ISOLA GOES DIGITAL event. With the series called Back to Materials, we had the opportunity to interview designers and architects from different backgrounds and nationalities.⁣
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We learnt so much from their work and researches, and we are glad to share valuable and inspiring information and to spread the word about biomaterials and circular design.⁣
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In September, we kicked off again with BACK TO MATERIALS for the occasion of the Milano Design City 2020 and last week; we took part in the Dutch Design 2020, and again we host our BACK TO MATERIALS series together with .⁣
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We couldn't be more inspired to reach out to designers and architects from different parts of the world, including South Korea, Ecuador, Germany, Netherlands, England and Italy and to share their vision with you. Go ahead and check out our IGTV! ⁣
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We hope you find the talks insightful, and if you do, please share with your network and help us spread the world about biomaterials and circular design.⁣
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THANK YOU SO MUCH⁣
for this invitation and collaboration, we are delighted to be part of this resilient design community! And thanks to all the designers and studios who took part in our talks and were so kind to share their compelling visions and projects with us:⁣
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23/10/2020

[VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS ]⁣
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Have you explored any of the Dutch Design Week 2020 virtual exhibitions?⁣
We just took a tour at MATERIALIZED, an exhibition by Isola Design District where visitors are taken into a journey through biomaterial research projects and innovative sustainable furnishings. ⁣
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Biodesigner and researcher Mykor Valentina Dipietro is one of the Materialized exhibitors. ⁣Valentina works at the intersection of biology and design to explore innovative and disruptive sustainable designs for products, interiors and architecture. She has created an innovative biocomposite material called Mykor with the idea to reconnect humans to their ecosystem.⁣
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According to Valentina, “as more of us live in increasingly urbanised locations, we have found ourselves yearning to spend time surrounded by soil and plants, while breathing fresh air.”⁣When translated into homeware products, furniture and lighting, Mykor materials recreate the feeling of being in nature from within our homes. ⁣
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Valentina uses Mycelium to bind wood waste with natural dyes. In the right environmental conditions, the mushroom strains used to bind the waste material can grow in four weeks with minimum use of water. ⁣
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These materials are fire retardant, insulating and sound-absorbing. They are available in a range of attractive colours like indigo, rust and mustard tending to change base colour from a bright white to light cream, evolving in time. Produced with local waste and inherently carbon-neutral, they can be grown wherever needed and are easily decomposed. ⁣
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You can learn more about Mykors and other innovative materials from Materialized until 25th October. For more information, visit isoladesigndistrict.com.⁣
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Soma Studio Milano

18/05/2021

10/03/2021

17/11/2020

13/11/2020

10/11/2020

09/11/2020

06/11/2020

04/11/2020

02/11/2020

28/10/2020

26/10/2020

23/10/2020

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