David Trubridge, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated green designers, reincarnates natural forms as light fixtures and seating in his latest work, which he presented at Salone Internazionale del Mobile last week. Tracing the curvilinear forms found in the island’s landscape, his Spiral Island collection evokes a sense of natural wonder in viewers, and garnered a line of eager spectators at the Salone show in Milan. Despite their large volume, the lighting fixtures float delicately overhead, giving new emphasis to the Maori name for New Zealand, Aotearoa, meaning ‘land of the long white cloud.’ Meanwhile, the colorful ‘Island’ seating will have your rear grounded in comfortable spiral bliss, mimicking the organic forms of the island in eco-sensitive style.
The Spiral Island collection fixtures and the seating are as environmentally responsible as possible. The fasteners are aluminum, maintaining the fixture’s physical lightness, while the PETG plastic strips are fully recyclable. Trubridge is waiting for PLA plastic (made from plat material) to become available in sheet form to add to the product’s cradle-to-cradle capability.
All the wood used by David Trubridge for his Spiral Seating is milled from government controlled wood sources in Australia and is held together with non-toxic glues or solvents and aluminum fasteners. The upholstery is made of 100% pure wool colored by nontoxic dyes and stuffed with wool felt made from wool scraps. The interior structure of the seat is maintained with recycled cardboard honeycomb and the entire seat can be deconstructed for ease of recycling at the end of its lifespan.
The eco-friendly nature of David Trubridge’s designs are reflective not only in his products but is integrated through the entire manufacturing process. 70% of the electricity consumed comes from renewable hydro-electric sources, everything is manufactured in New Zealand, and all waste is sorted and sent to separate recycling facilities.
+ David Trubridge
+ David Trubridge at UNLESS – New Zealand Green Design
+ MILAN 2008: Highlights from Salone Day One
+ MILAN 2008: Highlights from Salone Satellite
+ MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2008
+ INHABITAT IN MILAN in photos >
The lines, contours and materials are fabulous. This collection is modern and eco-chic w/ a a mid-century feel!
[...] David Trubridge’s beautiful ‘Spiral Islands’ booth [...]