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Metropolis Editors, Natural Habitat, sustainability, sustainable architecture

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MOGU FIELDS. Courtesy Habitat Matter

May 23, 2025

What We Loved at ICFF 2025

From B Corp rugs to furniture made from recycled styrofoam, this year’s fair was rich with sustainably designed furnishings, materials, and fixtures.

By: Metropolis Editors

At ICFF 2025, sustainable design wasn’t just a trend—it was one of the main attractions. From reimagined waste to innovations in bio-based materials, METROPOLIS editors were drawn to exhibitors that challenged conventions with care, craft, and circular thinking. Among the standouts: Black Oveja’s natural wool surfaces and JD Staron’s B Corp-certified rugs brought tactile storytelling to the floor. Stickbulb’s Pillar fixtures transform NYC wood waste into sculptural lighting, while Trashy’s styrofoam seating proved trash can be chic. Mycelium made magic through Reishi and Mushlume, and Blackcork’s sleek furniture silhouettes reminded us that sustainability can be sensuous. The following products prove that the future of design is regenerative.

The SOS Stool by Josh Owen, reissued by Heller, is crafted from Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) containing 25% post-consumer recycled material. This material offers high impact resistance and flexibility, making the stool both durable and lightweight. Its two-piece construction allows for efficient manufacturing and end-of-life recyclability, supporting closed-loop plastic use. Courtesy Heller.

Thoughtful Textiles 

THE STEPPE COLLECTION by Black Oveja features modular panels made from 100% sheep wool felt, assembled without adhesives. Inspired by the Patagonian steppe, the interlocking leaf-like forms provide acoustic dampening and tactile depth. The wool’s natural lanolin content offers antimicrobial properties, while its dense fiber structure enhances sound absorption and durability. www.blackovejacollective.com
At ICFF 2025, JD Staron showcased its commitment to sustainable craftsmanship. This year’s Editor’s Award Winning collection “Timeless Threads” is a curated celebration of the defining interior design movements that shaped the 20th century—from Art Deco to Midcentury Modern. JD Staron’s approach minimizes environmental impact by utilizing natural materials and traditional methods, aligning with their B Corp certification.

Radical Reuse 

TRASHY transforms expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste into lightweight concrete furniture. Each square foot of their composite material incorporates approximately 50 cubic feet of recycled Styrofoam, addressing the challenge of EPS’s non-biodegradability and its tendency to occupy significant landfill space. This process not only repurposes difficult-to-recycle material but also results in durable, functional furniture. trashy-co.com
THE PILLAR COLLECTION by Stickbulb repurposes salvaged wood from New York City’s urban forest, transforming it into modular lighting fixtures. Each piece features an illuminated square pocket within a circular wooden housing, available as sconces, pendants, or chandeliers. The wood is locally sourced, kiln-dried, and finished by hand, showcasing unique grain and character. stickbulb.com

Careful Craftsmanship

A collaboration between Lichen and Karimoku Furniture presents two distinct collections: “CMPT 01,” a modular furniture system inspired by the utilitarian apple box and designed for compact urban living, and “Karimoku Re:issue,” a revival of the 1982 ZE sofa series, updated with refined proportions and materials for contemporary interiors. This partnership merges Lichen’s innovative design approach with Karimoku’s legacy of Japanese craftsmanship.
FALCA by Blackcork, designed by Toni Grilo, utilizes expanded black cork derived from the bark of cork oak branches. This material is produced through a chemical-free process where steam expands and binds the cork granules, resulting in a dark, resilient composite. The collection combines this sustainable cork with lacquered stainless steel.

The Magic of Mycelium

REISHI by MycoWorks is a mycelium-based biomaterial designed to offer a sustainable alternative to leather. Engineered through the Fine Mycelium™ process, Reishi is grown from fungi and structured to mimic the strength, feel, and durability of traditional hide. Unlike conventional leather, it is produced with minimal water, no plastics, and significantly reduced environmental impact, challenging long-held assumptions about material performance and sourcing. mycoworks.com
MOGU FIELDS acoustic panels are crafted from mycelium grown on upcycled agricultural waste, forming a foam-like, biodegradable composite. The material is produced by fermenting selected mycelium strains on cotton residues derived from the textile industry. The panels’ irregular hexagonal shape and textured surface enhance sound absorption while reflecting natural patterns. This production process utilizes low-value materials, converting them into high-value, sustainable acoustic solutions. habitatmatter.com
MUSHLUME Lighting creates lampshades by combining mycelium with hemp fibers. This composite material grows into shape within days, forming a lightweight, biodegradable structure. The process consumes minimal energy and water, and the resulting lampshades are compostable at end-of-life. mushlumelighting.com

The Best of Launch Pad

SURFACE. Studio Nawa’s Surface Collection explores the intersection of digital simulation and physical form. Crafted from mirror-polished stainless steel, each piece—side table, coffee table, and chair—translates the seamless, fluid qualities of digital surfaces into tangible objects. The collection challenges perceptions of materiality, capturing the dynamism of undulating surfaces in a moment of stasis. n-a-w-a.com
THE PUDDLE AND BALL STOOL by Mathias Dowers of CoMPound Design Studio is a 3-legged stool crafted out of red oak. Featuring a puddle-like seat and and asymmetrical legs, the work is a play on balance and function in contemporary design. thecompounddesignstudio.format.com

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