Northern California-based form3 design is a great example of beautiful furniture that is enhanced, not hindered, by the use of sustainable materials. Their clean-lined and well-crafted pieces exhibit mid-century-inspired aesthetics, seamlessly integrated with eco-friendly and discarded waste materials. Their line of office furniture, like the chair and side table shown above, are one-of-a-kind pieces constructed with byproduct materials from local manufacturers.
Designer Chris Nardone told us: “We’ve been using drop-off woods from local woodshops, drop-off acrylics from plastic manufacturers and re-usable parts in our lamps, tables, chair bases and couch bases. (We scour the Sonoma County refuse facilities for these parts on a weekly basis in order to keep them in stock.)”
Form3, founded in 2002 by Nardone and partner, Gregory Neuhaus, was not necessarily created as a “green” firm, but their choices to use sustainable materials and employ local craftsmen demonstrate a real dedication to environmentally responsible design. They utilize bamboo, formaldehyde-free plywood, and water-based adhesives; and when their pieces call for more traditional woods, they make an effort to be sure they’re FSC-certified.
Form3 acknowledges that there’s a learning curve to sustainability. They’re constantly looking for new methods and materials, combing their surroundings for salvageable goods, and keeping up to date on the newest sustainable technologies. In the meantime, their designs continue to be produced beautifully, responsibly, and locally. Here’s a team that has found a happy balance between good and green design.
+ Form3 Design
That’s a nice find…thanks. There’s so much construction waste, so it’s good to hear that some of it is being put to use.
The Form3 website would benefit from updating to include the discussion and comments on the InHabitat website offered by designer Chris Nardone. Interested in the furntiure lines, I went to Form3 website, and found absolutely no mention of construction waste for any of the furniture lines. Instead, there was plenty of “european” birch veneer ply, baltic birch, and plenty of species such as jatoba, mahogany, walnut, etc.
Additionally, on the website, the nav headers at the bottom of the page include “Design + Architecture.” If I read correctly, neither of the partners are architects. Unless licensed architects, they should change that claim.