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      Isern Serra designs Barcelona modelling agency as a “landscape” for taking photos

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      Pale walls, sculptural furnishings and sunken plant features provide a striking backdrop to photoshoots taking place inside this Barcelona modelling agency, devised by Spanish studio Isern Serra.

      The Blow Models office occupies the ground floor of a 1920s building and its adjoining warehouse in Barcelona’s Sant Martí neighbourhood.
      Isern Serra designed its pared-back interior as “a landscape where the models can take pictures”.
      The Blow Models office centres around conversation pits and a sunken plant featureThe studio began by knocking through the building’s false ceiling and most of the partition walls to make the interior appear more open and airy.
      A long, rectangular skylight was carved out of the ceiling to allow for more natural lighting, and all surfaces were painted in a pale buttermilk hue.

      A long concrete desk accommodates staff computersAs the building doesn’t sit above a basement or car park, the studio took the opportunity to dig down into the site’s foundations.
      At the heart of the office, the floor is now punctuated by three holes. Two of these were turned into cushioned conversation pits while the third overflows with leafy tropical plants.
      “Light and vegetation becomes the centre from which the project is structured,” explained the studio. “[The] unusual and beautiful background is intended to encourage photography.”
      Steel stools were placed around another concrete tableTwo large concrete tables were placed on either side of the office – one functioning as a communal work desk while the other can be used for general staff gatherings, surrounded by steel stools.
      Steel was also used to create a sculptural prep counter in the office’s kitchen.
      The counter in the staff kitchen is also made from steelThe only rooms that are closed off are those used for meetings or by the accounting department.
      Plain white curtains were installed around their perimeter so that they, too, can serve as spaces to photograph models if necessary.
      Formal meeting rooms are closed off from the rest of the floor planTo maintain the office’s open plan, the toilets were tucked away beside the building’s stairwell. Here, an expansive picture window overlooks the street, bisected by a chunky concrete washbasin.
      There’s also a floor-to-ceiling mirror where visiting models can do their makeup.
      Picture windows in the toilets offer views of the streetThis isn’t the only workspace that Isern Serra has devised in Barcelona. Earlier this year, the studio designed a calming, minimalist office for eyewear brand Gigi.
      Back in 2023 the studio also created an office for digital artist Andres Reisinger, finishing its interior with quartz and stainless steel details.
      The photography is by Salva López.

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      Electric Bowery renovates Big Sur house overlooking California’s coastline

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      The co-founder of California studio Electric Bowery has renovated a redwood-clad house in Big Sur for her family, preserving its iconic features and adding custom furniture.

      The house, originally designed by well-known local architect Mickey Muennig, is perched high up on a bluff overlooking the dramatic coastline – famous for the scenic Route 1 that runs along it.
      The house was built in 1993 by renowned local architect Mickey MuennigCommissioned in 1993, the building features a curved copper roof and redwood exterior cladding that Electric Bowery co-founder Cayley Lambur and director of interiors Stephanie Luk used as the foundation for the remodel.
      After speaking to her neighbour, the original owner, Lambur delved into Muennig’s legacy and the property’s history for clues to approach the project.
      Electric Bowery co-founder Cayley Lambur’s updates to the property included reconfiguring the compact kitchen”Inspired by this connection, Lambur began to breathe new life into the residence while honouring its organic architectural roots,” said the studio.

      The house benefits from large windows and expanses of glazing that capitalise on the views across the landscape to the ocean.
      Custom furniture in the living room includes a curved sofa designed to “hug views into the canyon”Keeping these vistas top of mind, the renovation involved reconfiguring the internal spaces, and respectfully upgrading some of the outdated decor and fixtures.
      An entirely new custom kitchen was added within the tight existing space, designed to maximise counter space and celebrate the views of the garden and ocean.
      Vintage leather chairs surround an impressive stone hearthThe redwood millwork was created in collaboration with American furniture company Henrybuilt to blend with the rest of the interiors, while raw steel, warm-stained concrete floors and leathered natural quartzite complete the contemporary look.
      Where the roof slopes to its lowest point, the living room is furnished with custom pieces such as a curved channel-tufted sofa that “hugs views into the canyon” and an oversized claro walnut coffee table by Dusk.
      Redwood panelling continues in the bedrooms, with are decorated with a warm and earthy paletteBehind, an impressive stone hearth is accompanied by vintage black-leather armchairs and a variety of textured rugs and pillows.
      The redwood panelling continues in the bedrooms and bathrooms, where it’s complemented by custom beds dressed in deep red and green textiles.

      Electric Bowery arranges steel and wood cabins for Hudson Valley hotel

      “The consistent use of redwood paneling throughout the home offers the experience of bringing the outside inwards, contrasted and complemented by the incorporation of colour through art, tile and textiles,” said Electric Bowery.
      “A warm and earthy palette is carried through the home, layering textures and natural materials, old and new.”
      One of the bathrooms is tiled entirely in thin, straight-stacked, teal-glazed tilesOne of the bathrooms is tiled entirely in thin, straight-stacked teal glazed tiles, while another features a shower lined with square tiles in tones of blue.
      Also as part of the scope, a trailer on the property was restored and renovated for use as additional guest accommodation and an office for remote work.
      The house overlooks the dramatic Northern California coastline from its lofty perchLambur founded Electric Bowery with fellow architect Lucia Bartholomew in 2013, and the studio is based between Venice, Big Sur and Santa Barbara in California, and New York City.
      Other projects by the studio include the Wildflower Farms resort in Upstate New York, where a series of wood or Corten steel-clad cabins are nestled among meadows and woodland, and a house in Venice Beach that features an askew pitched roof.
      The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

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      Eight dining rooms dominated by dark-wood furniture

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      Our latest lookbook rounds up eight elegant dining rooms where dark-wood furniture, including tables, chairs and shelving, takes centre stage.

      The dining room furniture pieces featured in this lookbook make an impact with their dark tones, which are often evocative of vintage interiors.
      Whether made from teak, walnut or rosewood, the rich colours and grains of the natural materials make for a luxurious addition to dining spaces and offer a contrasting option to light-toned woods popular in minimalist and Scandi-inspired interiors.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring stylish hallways, green-toned bathrooms and interiors decorated with zellige tiles.
      Photo by Read McKendreeSag Harbor 2, US, by Kevin O’Sullivan + Associates

      New York practice Kevin O’Sullivan + Associates used dark wood throughout the Sag Harbor 2 home in the Hamptons to contrast light-toned stone and concrete surfaces and create a calming material palette.
      The dining room features a sculptural dark-wood dining table with a chunky surrounded by mid-century teak dining chairs designed by British designer Victor Wilkins.
      Find out more about Sag Harbor 2 ›
      Photo by Felix Speller and Child StudioMayfair home, UK, by Child Studio
      This home in London by local practice Child Studio also features mid-century modern furniture, including dining chairs by French architect Charlotte Perriand.
      Child Studio designed a circular wooden table and built-in cabinets lined with mahogany and marble to complement the chairs and unify the dining area.
      Find out more about the Mayfair home ›
      Photo by Fabian MartinezColonia Condesa house, Mexico, by Chloé Mason Gray
      Deep, moody tones characterise the interior of this home in Mexico City, which was renovated by local interiors studio Chloé Mason Gray to embrace its lack of natural light.
      The dining room is anchored by its dark furniture, which includes a quartzite table surrounded by wooden chairs with T-shaped backs.
      Find out more about the Colonia Condesa house ›
      Photo by Max Hart NibbrigBolívar House, Spain, by Juan Gurrea Rumeu
      Spanish architect Juan Gurrea Rumeu opted for warm-toned textural materials for the interior of Bolívar House in Barcelona, adding wood accents to the concrete structure.
      In the open-plan kitchen and dining room, dark-wood vintage dining chairs were paired with an even darker wooden bench that was built along the wall.
      Find out more about Bolívar House ›
      Photo by Fabian MartinezMérida house, Mexico, by Marc Perrotta
      A large wooden table forms the centrepiece of this dining room-cum-office, which is complemented by dark-wood U-shaped shelves that wrap the walls.
      It was designed by architect Marc Perrotta in his renovation of a traditional 19th-century house in Mérida. Perrotta also expanded the home with a courtyard extension.
      Find out more about the Mérida house ›
      Photo by Eric PetschekCarroll Gardens Townhouse, US, by Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design
      New York studios Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design placed a walnut table with rounded corners as the centrepiece of a white oak-clad dining room.
      Located in a renovated Brooklyn townhouse, the table contrasts with the light-toned room and provides a space for friends and family to gravitate around.
      Find out more about Carroll Gardens Townhouse ›
      Photo by Denilson MachadoDN Apartment, Brazil, by BC Arquitetos
      Walnut-lined walls with built-in shelves form the backdrop of this dining room, located in a 1970s São Paulo apartment that was renovated by Brazilian studio BC Arquitetos.
      Mid-century furniture was collected for the apartment, including a rosewood table by Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues and original red leather chairs by Polish-Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin.
      Find out more about DN Apartment ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerCasa Mérida, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy
      Informed by Mayan traditions and culture, architect Ludwig Godefroy designed a fragmented concrete home in Mérida with interiors decorated with wooden furnishings.
      In an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a table and chairs in matching dark wood provide ample space to gather and eat, and wooden doors open onto outdoor spaces.
      Find out more about Casa Mérida ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring stylish hallways, green-toned bathrooms and interiors decorated with zellige tiles.

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      Ten bathroom design ideas from Dezeen

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      Designing your dream bathroom? From tips for tiles to suggestions for sinks and baths, here are 10 bathroom design ideas taken from Dezeen’s archive of lookbooks.

      Since 2020, Dezeen has published more than 300 lookbooks providing visual inspiration for all kinds of interiors based on the stories we publish.
      Below, we organise 10 recent lookbooks into a useful guide that captures several of the key contemporary trends in bathroom design.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring stylish hallways, green-toned bathrooms and interiors decorated with zellige tiles.
      Photo by Jack LovelGo big on colour and patterns

      Who says bathrooms need to be boring? Add some maximalist fun by pairing bold colours with striking patterned surfaces.
      Included in our lookbook of bathrooms that combine colours and patterns are examples that use ceramic tiles, wallpaper, marble and paint to striking effect.
      Pictured is City Beach Residence in Perth, where Design Theory contrasted mosaic tiles in the bathtub with mint green on the walls.
      See more bathrooms that combine colour and patterns ›
      Photo by Tim Van de VeldeKeep it minimal(ist)
      If maximalism isn’t for you, a more minimalist approach can make the bathroom a serene affair.
      Our lookbook of minimalist bathrooms collects examples where an absence of clutter is combined with tactile, organic materials to create a tranquil space for cleansing.
      The project pictured is Karper, an apartment in Brussels designed by Belgian studio Hé.
      See more minimalist bathrooms ›
      Photo by Zac and ZacSelect subway tiles
      Using subway tiles is a bathroom design idea that can be applied to almost any project.
      These rectangular ceramics first appeared in New York City’s earliest subway station shortly after the turn of the 20th century and have since become an interior design staple thanks to their timelessness and affordability.
      Our lookbook of bathrooms lined with metro and subway tiles showcases their versatility and surprising variety. Pictured is a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh renovated by Luke and Joanne McClelland.
      See more bathrooms with subway tiles ›
      Photo courtesy of Note Design StudioLine it in marble…
      If you’re keen to give your bathroom a luxurious feel, marble is hard to beat.
      A range of marbles feature in our lookbook of marble bathrooms, as well as similar natural stones such as travertine and quartzite.
      Shown above is Note Design Studio’s Habitat 100 apartment in Stockholm.
      See more marble bathrooms ›
      Photo by Givlio Aristide…or concrete…
      Brutalism fans may prefer the brooding, rugged aesthetic of concrete in the bathroom.
      Our lookbook of concrete bathrooms collects examples that use the material to differing degrees, from wall-to-wall coverage to concrete bathtubs and showers.
      Pictured is the bathroom of Cloister House in Australia by MORQ, where thick rammed-concrete walls were left exposed.
      See more concrete bathrooms ›
      Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson…or timber!
      For a warmer, more welcoming feel in the bathroom, look no further than timber cladding.
      Ten sauna-like spaces are collected in our lookbook of timber-clad bathrooms, using woods such as cypress, spruce and cork.
      Shown above is Japan’s first Ace Hotel in Kyoto, designed by Kengo Kuma and Los Angeles design studio Commune.
      See more timber-clad bathrooms ›
      Photo by Megan TaylorFit two sinks
      If you have space to play with, a double sink is a fail-safe way to elevate the bathroom.
      As our lookbook on bathrooms with double sinks shows, it’s also a good way to introduce a unique focal point.
      A textbook example can be found in the bathroom of the London apartment designed by 2LG Studio, shown above.
      See more bathrooms with double sinks ›
      Photo by Andrey AvdeenkoAdd a sunken bath
      For those with less room to work with, sunken baths can help to save space while lending a spa-like atmosphere.
      Our lookbook of bathrooms with sunken baths collects examples in a wide range of settings.
      Pictured is a Japanese-influenced apartment in Kyiv designed by Sergey Makhno.
      See more bathrooms with sunken baths ›
      Photo by Benoit LineroOpt for statement sanitary ware
      Bathroom design doesn’t have to be all about surfaces. Installing a bright sink or toilet can instantly add a splash of fun.
      Pink, green, black and blue all feature in our lookbook of bathrooms with colourful sanitary ware.
      The image above shows a bathroom in Les Deux Gares, a Parisian hotel designed by Luke Edward Hall.
      See more bathrooms with colourful sanitary ware ›
      Photo by Hey! CheeseWhat’s wrong with white?
      White is the classic choice for the bathroom – but with a little imagination, yours can still stand out from the crowd.
      Our lookbook of white bathrooms shows how tiles, texture and plants can be used to ensure that simplicity doesn’t equal sterility.
      Pictured is Phoebe Sayswow Architects’ XS House in Taiwan.
      See more white bathrooms ›
      Dezeen’s lookbooks series provides visual inspiration from our archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring stylish hallways, green-toned bathrooms and interiors decorated with zellige tiles. Or, check out our kitchen design ideas.

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      Dawid Konieczny designs Warsaw apartment to have “the ease of a good hotel room”

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      Polish architect Dawid Konieczny has added mid-century modern elements to this Warsaw studio apartment, conceived to echo the compact size and sophistication of a hotel room.

      Set within an early 20th-century building clad in terracotta bricks, the apartment’s petite perimeter formed the basis for its interior design.
      Dawid Konieczny designed the apartment to mimic a hotel room”We’re talking about 30 square metres, so it’s kind of the size of a hotel room,” Konieczny told Dezeen.
      “I wanted to combine the ease of a good hotel room with the idea of a chic mid-century modern apartment.”
      The hallway features oak-panelled wallsThe hallway features sinuous walls covered in smooth oak panels, concealing subtle storage compartments that make the most of the apartment’s high ceilings.

      This entrance gives way to a single room that holds both private and public spaces and maintains the building’s original herringbone flooring.
      Veiny quartzite was applied to the kitchen countertopA boxy, stained oak and steel shelving cabinet separates the low-slung double bed from the dining area, where a bespoke rounded table is surrounded by a set of vintage Casala cantilever chairs upholstered in pinstriped fabric.
      “I hoped to express the soul of the 1970s,” explained Konieczny, who also placed a small abstract painting by Polish artist Tomek Opaliński above the dining table.
      Konieczny selected vintage cantilever chairs for the dining spaceOn the other side of the room is an open-plan kitchen with a caramel-hued countertop finished in veiny Palomino quartzite, illuminated by antique mid-century sconces Konieczny sourced specifically for the project.
      A sleek oven is tucked into one of the oak-panelled, space-saving walls.
      Pistachio-coloured tiles line the bathroomOpposite the bed, a pair of dusty mauve armchairs frame a squat coffee table, forming a small living space.
      “Thanks to quality materials and vintage furniture selections, the apartment has a timeless character,” said Konieczny.

      K916 and K907 are a pair of pared-back holiday apartments in Warsaw

      Pistachio-coloured tiles line the bathroom, which is separate from the main space. Monochrome, basketweave flooring was chosen to complement the room’s retro standalone sink and built-in bathtub.
      “The idea was to create a warm and comfortable feeling for the apartment but with a classy vibe,” added the architect, who designed the home for a duo of Paris-based fashion photographers seeking a “cosy shelter in Warsaw” in between frequent travel.
      The apartment was designed for a pair of fashion photographersElsewhere in the Polish capital, interiors studio Mistovia incorporated walnut burl and terrazzo accents to another apartment while Noke Architects created a two-tone interior for an Italian bar.
      The photography is by Oni Studio.

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      Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour reveals Wow!house 2024 in exclusive Dezeen video

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      Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is hosting the third edition of Wow!house, a purpose-built showhome in London exhibiting works by international designers, as seen in this video produced by Dezeen for the interiors hub.

      Designers were invited to showcase their designs in separate rooms of the house over which they are given complete creative control.
      Wow!house 2024 is held at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour and features 19 rooms by international designersThere are 19 custom rooms in total at Wow!house, including a study by Anahita Rigby and a Zimmer + Rohde bedroom by Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́.
      “It’s about accessing all of these creatives under one roof,” says Claire German, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in the exclusive Dezeen video interview.
      The Home Bar was created by OZA Design and draws inspiration from Western and Eastern culturesThe Home Bar was designed by OZA Design with the aim of bringing together Western and Eastern cultures.

      “We wanted the guests to come on a journey… like on the Orient Express,” said OZA Design’s Alexandre Simeray.
      The Zimmer + Rohde Bedroom Suite was designed by Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. Studio.
      “We want it to take guests away from what would be the normal, expected bedroom and create something quite… unusual,” said the studio’s founder Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́.
      The Zimmer + Rohde Bedroom Suite was created by London-based designer Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́”Exhibiting at Wow!House means a great deal to me personally,” he went on to explain.
      “Being the first British-Nigerian designer selected to work on the space and to show the public what could be done from a small studio based in southeast London.”
      The House of Rohl Primary Bathroom features a painted landscape above a circular bath tubA large circular bath takes centre stage in the House of Rohl Primary Bathroom by Michaelis Boyd, which sits within an alcove with a painted dome on top.
      The Study was designed by Anahita Rigby and fuses Georgian and Japanese design principles.
      The Study at Wow!house features Georgian and Japanese aestheticsRigby mentioned that she was inspired by the objects people bring home from their travels abroad.
      “Falling in love with something on holiday and bringing it home and it’s your new favourite thing you put on your mantelpiece… it’s what interiors are all about,” said Rigby.
      German cites the “incredible” level of detail in each room, noting that the importance of the ceiling continued as a theme throughout the home. “The designers have used it as the fifth wall,” she explained.

      Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour to host WOW!house 2024

      Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has stated that the materials used throughout the home will be repurposed, or returned whenever possible, while rooms such as the Martin Moore kitchen will be re-installed in a new location after the event.
      There will be a programme of events, including tours of WOW!house, open to the public until 4 July 2024.
      WOW!house runs from 4 June to 4 July 2024 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in London. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
      Partnership content
      This video was produced by Dezeen for the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen’s partnership content here.

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      Objective Studies drops first equitable design collection with A Calm Place exhibition

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      A tranquil exhibition during 3 Days of Design showcased the launch collection for Objective Studies, a digital platform that shares its profits with designers and makers.

      A Calm Place featured furniture and homeware from 10 designers and studios, all now being marketed and sold directly from Objective Studies.
      Objective Studies launched with an exhibition at RefugioThe objects were presented in a scenography inspired by Korshagehus, a thatched, modernist summerhouse in Odsherred, Denmark, built by architect Erik Korshagen in 1960.
      The exhibition was staged at Refugio, a co-working studio in Copenhagen’s Østerbro neighbourhood.
      The inaugural collection includes furniture pieces by Mario Martinez and Ted SynnottDesigner Matteo Fogale and e-commerce expert Lijana Norkaityte co-founded Objective Studies with a vision to bring greater equity to the design industry.

      “We are building a business model where we will share equal profits with designers and makers,” they told Dezeen.
      “We joined the industry with the belief that we can put designers and makers at the forefront, and shed light on the quality and hours needed to create unique objects that will stand the test of time.”
      Exhibition curators Sébastien El Idrissi and Sara De Campos also contributed piecesObjective Studies will launch products in limited editions, with product drops rather than seasonal collections.
      “Drops will appear when we have something valuable to show, not simply for the sake of launching or to keep adding items to an infinite collection,” said the founders.

      NoDe exhibition presents 28 emerging designers from the Nordics

      “We want to discourage unnecessary production, keeping quantities limited and made-to-order to encourage conscious consumption.”
      The first drop of 20 objects includes the pine-wood Korshage bench by Spanish designer Sina Sohrab, the Unité daybed by CPRV and the characterful Salas chair by Copenhagen-based Mario Martinez.
      Juhl & Lange designed the woven baskets, while the Korshage bench is by Sina SohrabAmong the lighting works is Arète, a vertical pendant made from sailcloth designed by Asca Studio, while pieces by New Zealand-based Ted Synnott include the aluminium Terra stool.
      Accessories also feature, with woven baskets and dustpan and brush sets by Danish studio Juhl & Lange.
      Sébastien El Idrissi designed the Stack plantersThe exhibition was curated by designers Sara De Campos and Sébastien El Idrissi with the aim of promoting slow living, inspired by Danish culture and in line with the ethos behind Objective Studies.
      The curators also have works in the collection; designs by De Campos include a hand-woven wool rug and an aluminium tray, while El Idrissi’s pieces include the Claro salt and pepper grinders.
      Juhl & Lange’s works also include dustpan and brush setsFogale and Norkaityte hope the launch of Objective Studies will bring greater transparency to the process and costs involved in designing and producing furniture, and how profit is distributed.
      “We want to challenge how design and craft products are marketed, and how designers are compensated for their work,” the pair said.
      “We want people to know why certain items cost what they do,” they continued.
      The scenography took cues from modernist summerhouse Korshagehus”We are well aware that not everyone can purchase a piece of furniture for over €1,000 but we hope we can expose the value that comes with each design object, from the materials chosen to the hours that it took to make them.”
      “We live with these objects, we use them every day and if we choose well, we can pass them on to generations to come.”
      A Calm Place was on show at Refugio in Copenhagen from 12 to 14 June as part of 3 Days of Design. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.
      The photography is by the curators.

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      Natural Material Studio crafts entire home interior from bioplastic

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      As part of 3 Days of Design, Danish practice Natural Material Studio has created a futuristic fossil-free home interior where all the elements, from the curtains to the sofa, are made from the same bioplastic.

      White Utopia is Natural Material Studio’s most ambitious installation to date, adapting the studio’s Procel bioplastic to form massive functioning furniture pieces across three separate rooms – a dining room, a lounge and a bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe.
      The White Utopia installation includes a lounge (top image) and dining room (above)The exhibition envisions a future where our homes are made entirely using biomaterials like this, which can be endlessly remade into new products and backyard composted at the end of their life, rather than ending up in landfill.
      “The installation has for sure been the most challenging to date due to the complexity in scale and the three-dimensionality of the whole ‘house’,” studio founder Bonnie Hvillum told Dezeen. “You can really start to see how we can live with these new materials.”
      Every element down to the lampshades is made from Procel bioplasticNatural Material Studio initially developed Procel as a flexible biotextile, used to form everything from clothes to curtains. But recently, the studio started experimenting with adapting its recipe to create whole load-bearing furniture pieces.

      The core ingredient is a specific – although nondisclosed – natural protein, which Hvillum says can be derived from either plants or animals.
      Among the larger pieces is a monobloc biofoam sofa”It’s very much used in the medical industry, also in bookbinding,” said the designer, who sources her protein from different suppliers across Europe.
      “It’s used in many different places,” she added. “But when I called them and said ‘can you figure out a way of supplying this to me’, they were like ‘okay, we’ve never had this question before’.”
      The installation also features a bedroom with a walk-in wardrobeTo create Procel, this natural protein is mixed with a small amount of chalk for strength and a natural softener made from plant oils for flexibility.
      Combined in different rations and cast into different moulds, this mixture was used to create not just the textile room dividers found in White Utopia but an entire bio-foam sofa for the living room, stools for the dining area and a giant platform bed that visitors were encouraged to sit on.

      Natural Material Studio creates restaurant panels from leftover beer

      By taking out the softener, Natural Material Studio was also able to create more rigid pieces, including a dining table that was originally cast as a simple rectangle but deformed into a more organic shape as it dried.
      “The presented design objects are really pushing the possibilities of these materials,” Hvillum said. “Opening the door to making them structural is a completely new route for us.”
      “I think it holds so much potential, creating materials that resemble polystyrene and vacuum-formed plastics.”
      Visitors were encouraged to sit on the bioplastic bedFurnituremakers including Isomi and Natuzzi have already started experimenting with using natural latex as an alternative to traditional polyurethane upholstery foam, as the plastic is hard to recycle and contains toxic chemicals.
      Hvillum argues that Procel could offer another promising alternative, as it can be endlessly recast to form new products or simply buried outside in the garden, where it will degrade within a month.
      “We are basically investigating fluidity,” Hvillum said. “So everything is in motion and things can move on to have another life. ”
      “This is how we envision the future to be.”
      Procel biotextiles were also used to form wall coveringsProcel has already made it out into the real world with clients including Calvin Klein and Copenhagen restaurant ÅBEN.
      A collaboration with a Spanish luxury fashion house is also in the works, despite the brand being weary of using animal-derived protein.
      However, Hvillum argues that animal polymers can actually be more sustainable than their vegan counterpart because they are made from waste residues from the meat industry.
      The dining table deformed as it dried”When we work with animal-based materials, we can actually tap into a waste flow so we work with second-generation materials,” she explained. “Whereas when we work with plant materials, we work with virgin materials.”
      “Sustainability is a lot more complex than just: is it animal or is it vegan,” she added. “It’s more about: what sources can we reuse from so that we keep things in a circular loop.”
      The photography is by Peter Vinther.
      White Utopia was part of 3 Days of Design, which took place at venues across Copenhagen from 12 to 14 June. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

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