It was Postigo Design’s first time at the fair, where they presented this dynamic, recyclable metal bench inspired by leaves and nervatures.
Postigo Design also unveiled an innovative nest-like lamp made from fast growing Kiri woodand embedded LED rows. The system requires no cables at all — instead it works through stainless steel wires.
These Dolce di Luce lamps are crafted from cardboard cylinder boxes, a popular packaging used for Argentina’s most famed caramel Dulce de Leche. The lamps are sold with a DIY kit so consumers can customize designs to their individual taste.
One of our favorite brands, Planar, brought a variety of wool-felted, recycled EVA coasters showcasing sweet prints by KOM.
Jujuy’s La Justa is known for producing beautiful, sculptural hand-felted hats, but this year they joined Sillones Sushi to make this comfy low seat from an old tire furnished with natural felt and stamped with Eucalyptus seeds and leaves.
Another designer using natural pigments is Diseños Naturales by Poupèe from Mendoza, who transfers natural dyes from local plants and found objects (like rusty chicken wires) onto unique artisan clothing.
We adore this off-white clothing line from Chain-Garcia Bello, including this flawless demolition-inspired coat, crafted from untreated canvas and floor-cleaning cloths.
Mila showcased their minimal hanging pendants, which we couldn’t help but notice looked nearly identical to Designtree’s Frankie Lamps made from white cedar, peteribí and a grey felted shade.
A favorite of the Buenos Aires sustainable design scene, Baumm, displayed a collection of lightweight, super strong and waterproof backpacks crafted from discarded Patagonian paragliding materials.
We spotted Nakina’s sleek and simple wooden desk and matching stool, featuring a seat made from old, repurposed filmstrips.
TejiendoConCiencia creates sweet, multipurpose containers for the home with the help of elderly citizens. Each is handmade with wool and recycled plastic bags.
In this social collaboration between the non-profit Matriarca and the Gran Chaco communities, all sorts of objects and clothes are fashioned from local plants like chaguar, caramillo, palm leaves, pilaga and carob trees, preserving both the environment and ancient crafts.
Elo Design unveiled this line of unique contemporary furniture made from demolition and scrap wood.
Another studio turning trash into treasure is the dúo from L’equipment, which showecased brilliant, vintage-looking lamps that can be switched on by their handle.
Gino Corrugatti´s sculptural lights are made from standard corrugated plastic pipes.
Crivos’ tiny, modular plant pots made from off-cut wood cubes are perfect for succulents.
This year the fair introduced a new initiative, an organic pop-up market organized by Sabe la Tierra, featuring all sorts of healthy food, drinks and cosmetics by local Argentinian producers.
Although there is always room for improvement–we´d like to see more process-based experimental design and low-impact technologies–it’s a great achievement for the fair to run continuously for 15 years, especially in a country with such an unpredictable and problematic economy. Congratulations.
See past coverage of previous Feria Puro Diseño shows: 2011, 2013 and 2014.
+ Feria Puro Diseño
Photos © Ana Lisa Alperovich for Inhabitat