Brera District Exhibits Designs for a Strong, Sustainable Future at Milan Design Week

Milan's stunning <a href="http://fuorisalone2014.breradesigndistrict.it/progetto/16/lezioni-di-design-il-manifesto" target="_blank">Brera Design District</a> has been a bastion of art and culture for nearly two thousand years, and the work featured there during <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/milan-design-week/"> Milan Design Week 2014</a> pays homage to that history. The buildings there, many of which are centuries old, are host to innovating and inspiring projects by both established and up-and-coming designers; Italian and international alike. The main theme of the exhibitions centered around recycling and sustainability: reusing and upcycling used materials in order to make products that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible.

Sweden-based designer <a href="http://cargocollective.com/hampusform" target="_blank">Hampus Penttinen</a> created his <a href="http://cargocollective.com/hampusform/SVARTSKAR" target="_blank">Svartskär</a> chair out of the flotsam that washes up on the shore of Kosterhavet—Sweden's only national marine park.

<a href="http://www.un-desirables.com/#!luka-jelusic/cc3q" target="_blank">"Two Little Birds" playhouse by Luka Jelusic</a> is an indoor play space for preschoolers. Made of birch plywood and rope made from water hyacinths, it's a space in which children can indulge their imaginations in an enclosed, safe environment that's made just for them. With shelving space for toys and books, this nook could be an imaginary boat, treehouse, or fairy castle; whatever the child can dream of.

Traditionally, rope-making has always been a group endeavor, with many people working together for mutual benefit. Ropes created by communities are used for everything from fishing to furniture, and said ropes are generally made from used materials. In <a href="http://cargocollective.com/laetitiafortin/Woven-link" target="_blank">"Woven Link" by Laetitia Fortin</a>, plastic bags and textile remnants gain new life as woven rope furniture, created by many hands for all to use and enjoy.

<a href="http://www.capebest.it/" target="_blank">Cape Best</a> imports the most unique and creative pieces that South Africa's Cape Town designers have to offer, and these coat hangers by <a href="http://designandstyle.blogosfere.it/post/522995/fuorisalone-2014-cape-best-presenta-i-complementi-darredo-di-cara-judd-le-foto" target="_blank">Cara Judd</a>, made from discarded golf clubs, are no exception.

<a href="http://designandstyle.blogosfere.it/post/522995/fuorisalone-2014-cape-best-presenta-i-complementi-darredo-di-cara-judd-le-foto" target="_blank">Cara</a> works primarily with upcycled materials found in and around the Cape Town area.

Flower Lamp: another<a href="http://designandstyle.blogosfere.it/galleria/fuorisalone-2014-cape-best-presenta-i-complementi-darredo-di-cara-judd-le-foto" target="_blank"> Cara Judd</a> piece for <a href="http://www.capebest.it" target="_blank">Cape Best</a>.

Italian design firm <a href="http://www.ildoppiosegno.org/" target="_blank">ildoppiosegno</a> collaborated with the folks at <a href="http://www.ibarzaghi.it/" target="_blank">I Barzaghi</a> to create stunning pieces from solid black walnut wood. The intent is to create sculptural furniture that will last for several generations; a stark contrast to temporary, disposable furniture that has gained popularity in recent decades.

<a href="http://www.staygreen.it/it/" target="_blank">Staygreen</a> collaborated with <a href="http://studiopamio.com/" target="_blank">Roberto Pamio + Partners</a> to create a line of eco-savvy furnishings that didn't skimp on style. Made from corrugated cardboard and held together with a glue made from pea starch, these elegant pieces would fit right into any modern living space.

<a href="http://www.staygreen.it/it/" target="_blank">Staygreen's</a> concern for a sustainable, responsible future also extends to lighting solutions, such as <a href="http://www.staygreen.it/docs/catalogo_staygreen.pdf" target="_blank">these "Misha" lamps</a> made of double-corrugated cardboard.

<a href="http://www.martinbjornson.com" target="_blank">Martin Björnson</a>'s wooden "Octopus" chairs are sculptures in their own right, with eight legs for ultimate balance and sturdiness instead of just three or four.

The <a href="http://www.oondesign.it/wp2/?p=266" target="_blank">"Rossana" chairs</a> by <a href="http://www.oondesign.it" target="_blank">OonDesign</a> are made of re-purposed cardboard and recycled wool. Their classic recliner style is as timeless as it is comfortable.

<a href="http://shop.regenesi.com/it/accessori-ufficio/linea-oregami-mobile-lamp.html" target="_blank">The "o-Re-Gami" mobile lamp</a>, designed by <a href="http://regenesi.com/matali-crasset/" target="_blank">Matali Crasset</a> for <a href="http://regenesi.com" target="_blank">Regenesi</a>, is formed from molded sheets of recycled leather. It's both recycled and biodegradable, and when combined with an LED bulb, creates a soft, gentle light that's ideal for home or workplace use.

<a href="http://regenesi.com" target="_blank">Regenesi's</a> line of <a href="http://shop.regenesi.com/it/accessori-casa/linea-alutable-piatto-da-portata.html" target="_blank">plates</a> and <a href="http://shop.regenesi.com/it/accessori-casa/linea-alutable-ciotola-dessert.html" target="_blank">bowls</a> is made of brushed recycled aluminium.

<a href="http://www.viabizzuno.com/" target="_blank">Viabizzuno's</a> products are both elegant and eco-conscious: The company endeavors to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollutants, while ensuring that their creations are as functional and stunning as they are ethical.

Two of <a href="http://www.viabizzuno.com/index.php" target="_blank">Viabizzuno's</a> lighting specialists, <a href="http://www.marionanni.com/" target="_blank">Mario Nanni</a> and <a href="http://www.fantetti.it/" target="_blank">Alessandro Fantetti,</a> teamed up to create this piece, entitled 13° Angolo (13 degree angle). Viabizzuno's mandate is to "create wellbeing through lighting", and pieces such as this, with clean, crisp lines and softer light sources, can certainly do exactly that.

Also by <a href="http://www.marionanni.com/" target="_blank">Mario Nanni</a> and <a href="http:// http://www.fantetti.it/" target="_blank">Alessandro Fantetti</a> for <a href="http://www.viabizzuno.com/" target="_blank">Viabizzuno</a>, this piece isn't just a lighting system: it's a perfect perch for a planter of fresh herbs or flowers, and would be as beautiful in a garden as in a sitting-room.