Hasta La Ideas

In this hectic day and age, technology continues transforming our homes, making them smarter, more efficient, and more enjoyable. For tech-savvy homeowners, integrating the latest gadgets is not just about keeping up with trends but enhancing the overall living experience. From entertainment to emergency preparedness and daily conveniences, the right gadgets can make a significant difference.

We have curated a collection of ten essential gadgets that every tech-savvy homeowner should consider when upgrading their living space. These products offer a perfect blend of innovation, functionality, and style, catering to the diverse needs of modern households. Whether you’re looking to elevate your home theater setup, ensure reliable power during emergencies, indulge in barista-quality coffee at home, or save space with multifunctional appliances, these gadgets have got you covered.

1. Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart

Named the Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector, this appliance is a worthy addition to any tech-savvy homeowner’s entertainment arsenal. It is intended to be a budget-friendly ultra-short-throw (UST) projector that provides a captivating viewing experience without a large TV. The projector has compact dimensions of just over 8 inches long, 3.7 inches wide, and 3.4 inches tall.

It is ideal for those looking to maximize space without compromising on quality. The projector can project a 1oo-inch screen from just 20 inches away and convert any room into a mini-theater. It is equipped with Full HD 1080p resolution, and vibrant color output, owing to a DLP chip and triple-laser light source.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector can provide an impressive cinematic experience without being too expensive. It features an impressive 0:23:1 ultra-short throw ratio that lets it project a large image from a small distance. This makes the projector a great fit for small living spaces. Its automatic keystone correction and focus adjustment features ensure a hassle-free setup, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content with minimal effort.

What we like

• Small size and ultra-short throw capability make it perfect for small spaces.
• Equipped with its OS for streaming services, eliminating the need for additional devices.

What we dislike

•  Lacks the 4K resolution of higher-end models.
•  At 550 ANSI lumens, it may not perform well in brightly lit rooms.

2. Roborock Qrevo Slim

Dubbed the Qrevo Slim, this is Roborock’s newest launch. This innovative appliance is bringing in a whole new era of robot vacuuming with an improved design, and enhanced tech. The vacuum stands over 3 inches tall and can cruise under the sofa seamlessly and smoothly. It is quite slim and powered by Roborock’s most advanced 3D mapping and navigation system which is called the StarSight Autonomous system. The system is better than the LDS on most typical vacuums.

The Qrevo Slim has an impressive vertical clearance that cannot be achieved by most robot vacuums. It can slide under couches, beds, and other low-clearance furniture with ease, covering more area than your old vacuum. The cleaner can wiggle into tight corners, and clean almost anything – from pet hair to food crumbs or any kind of dirt.

Click Here to Buy Now: $999.99 $1399.99 ($400 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Qrevo Slim teams up with a user-friendly app and a built-in voice assistant. It is easy to control, and you can customize and change cleaning schedules, adjust the suction power, and set no-go zones. You can also keep an eye on the vacuum’s progress, check battery levels, or pause and restart the cleaning whenever you want. The robot vacuum works with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, and you can use different commands like “Start cleaning,” “Return to dock,” or “Clean the living room.”

What we like

• Features the industry-first StarSight advanced navigation technology, 11,000 Pa suction, and an ultra-slim build.
• The vacuum cleaner self-charges and cleans itself.
• Can fit into tight corners and spaces.

What we dislike

• Hefty price tag.
• More suitable on hard floors than carpet.

3. Google TV Streamer

Dubbed the Google TV Streamer, this is the Chromecast’s successor. It is Apple TV’s natural rival and is equipped with a slanted top and a firm block base. The gadget features a clean and minimal white color theme, which is pretty different from the small dongle Chromecast. But the streamer does manage to maintain the Google TV branding.

The Google TV Streamer is the latest 4K streaming device from Google, and it seems like a great gadget to support your movie-watching marathons. It includes a remote that is led by the D-Pad on the top and the back, as well as a gray-colored home button. The volume buttons are on the front below the home button, instead of the side.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Google TV Streamer features a new and enhanced design and is paired up with a remote control. It is longer than the previous remote of the Chromecast, and it has quite a few improvements in the design and feel too. The streaming box is connected to two cables at the back, which may be for power and HDMI.

What we like

• Equipped with a new flat tabletop form.
• Features enhanced and upgraded smart home controls.

What we dislike

• Uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of a more modern standard like Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
• It is pricier than the Chromecast with Google TV.

4. Hybrid Kitchen Aid

Dubbed the Hybrid Kitchen Aid, this unique kitchen appliance is a must-have for your kitchen. It will revamp the way you cook and prepare food since it is multifunctional. The gadget is designed to deliver adaptability, economical use, and storage efficiency. It is intended for modern kitchens and their modern homeowners.

The kitchen aid merges the functionality of multiple kitchen devices into one compact and versatile product. It draws inspiration from the beauty of the classic French press. Users can perform a whole bunch of tasks with the aid such as grinding, blending, and kneading.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Hybrid Kitchen Aid serves as an all-in-one solution for your daily kitchen needs and requirements. The aid reduces clutter, and enhances efficiency, making it an excellent fit for those who value both functionality and style. Since the kitchen aid is pretty adaptable, it can help you carry out a whole bunch of culinary tasks.

What we like

• Amped with inversion of the motor placement, a deviation from traditional food processors.
• Equipped with a telescopic arm as well.

What we dislike

• Since it is a concept, we are unsure how well it will translate into a real product.

5. Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers

Coined the Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers, these unique speakers merge portability, style, and sustainability. They are created for the modern audiophile who needs functionality as well as aesthetics. The speakers are designed to be a new alternative to the traditional smartphone speakers that need batteries.

The speakers are made from premium materials, and they create an incredible audio experience for you while functioning as a cool statement piece. They are equipped with sleek metal construction and a minimal aesthetic that makes them an appealing addition to your modern home.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179

Why is it noteworthy?

The speakers’ design is ingeniously simple yet highly effective. By placing your smartphone into the designated slot, the speakers harness the natural acoustics of the metal to amplify sound without the need for electronic components. This eco-friendly approach not only reduces energy consumption but also minimizes electronic waste, aligning with the growing trend towards sustainable technology.

What we like

• The speakers can function without any external power source.
• The speakers’ modern aesthetic, characterized by clean lines and a metallic finish, complements a variety of interior styles.

What we dislike

• They may not work as effectively with phones that have bulky covers or cases.

6. Generark Solar Generator

Called the Generark Solar Generator, this product is a total game-changer for tech-savvy homeowners who prefer to focus on emergency preparedness and sustainable energy solutions. It is a reliable backup power supply and includes the HomePower 2 backup battery power station and the SolarPower 2 all-weather portable solar panels.

The innovative system offers a dependable source of energy during power outages, delivering power to essential home appliances and devices, and allowing them to remain operational for up to seven days. It can even power critical medical devices, communication equipment, and power tools, making it essential during emergencies and recovery periods.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Generark Solar Generator is an affordable and reliable backup power for modern homes. It can harness solar energy, ensuring that homeowners do not simply need to rely on traditional power grids. It has a user-friendly design that supports easy setup and operation, and it needs only a simple plug-in to power devices. The system’s compatibility with a wide range of appliances and devices makes it a versatile solution for various emergency scenarios.

What we like

• Utilizes solar power, reducing reliance on traditional power grids.
• Powers a wide range of appliances and devices, including critical medical equipment.

What we dislike

•  Solar power generation can be affected by weather conditions, impacting performance.

7. The Frame

Meet the Frame – a refined smart device that combines advanced tech with a visually impressive design. The appliance measures around 13.3 inches, and it serves as a full-screen touch system. It acts as a central hub for all your different IoT devices. It is wrapped in Kvadrat fabric.

The Frame isn’t simply your everyday smart appliance, it also doubles up as a statement piece that enhances the aesthetic and appeal of your home. It will effortlessly blend with your home and decor style, and won’t be an annoying eyes-sore like most bulky appliances.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Frame Wall Pad seamlessly combines with any living space. It also offers a level of control and convenience that is unseen in other home automation systems. Users can control and manage their entire home’s IoT equipment with one single touch, including security systems and front door panels.

What we like

• The Kvadrat fabric and color palette add a touch of sophistication
• Allows you to manage all IoT devices from a single interface.

What we dislike

• We are unsure of the fabric options being provided.
• It will require some professional installation for optimal integration.

8. ChopBox

Called the Chopbox, this impressive innovation gives the traditional chopping board a whole new makeover. It is created for the modern chef, and it integrates a whole range of unique features that offer utility and hygiene in the kitchen. The essentials of a chopping board are converted with advanced technology to provide a multifunctional solution,

The Chopbox isn’t simply for cutting and chopping, it integrates a built-in disinfecting UVC light, which offers it an advantage over conventional cutting boards. The UVC light sanitizes knives and cutting surfaces, reducing the risk of cross-contamination, and creating a healthier kitchen.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Chopbox uses UVC light tech, which is typically found in industrial and medical applications but is now used in homes, too. The 254nm UVC light allows users to disinfect their knives and cutting surfaces. You can use this feature, by placing the knife between the two cutting surfaces and turning on the UVC light. This process can sanitize up to three knives simultaneously, making it both efficient and effective.

What we like

• There are no negative side effects from the UVC light.
• You can replace the main cutting surface when you like.

What we dislike

• It isn’t dishwasher-friendly, as the heat can damage the board.

9. Barista Bot

Called the Barista Bot, this revolutionary smart coffee machine is essential for tech-savvy homeowners who need their daily caffeine fix quickly and efficiently. The machine is fully automatic, and you can prepare up to 16 different drinks with the simple touch of a button. The machine combines ground coffee, fresh milk, and purified water to prepare the perfect cuppa every time.

The Barista Bot includes advanced features such as a grinder, a double coil for heating, and a Wi-Fi module for connectivity, making it a standout appliance in the realm of home coffee machines. Users can customize their drinks by adjusting coffee intensity, milk and water quantities, and temperature, ensuring a personalized coffee experience.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Barista Bot’s smart capabilities include integration with popular smart home systems, allowing users to order their coffee with different voice commands, streamlining the process, and adding some modernity to your kitchen. The machine’s internal memory will save your preferred drink configurations, providing consistent results with every brew.

What we like

• Compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa for voice-activated coffee orders.
• Allows users to adjust coffee strength, milk, and water levels for personalized drinks.

What we dislike

• Initial setup and configuration may require some technical know-how.

10. OCIDIN Heating Fan

Called the OCIDIN Heating Fan, this versatile and unique appliance is a multifunctional device that merges the capabilities of a heater and a dryer, providing a seamless transition between different modes to meet your changing needs. It will offer efficient heating during cold winter months, and quick drying of clothes after laundry.

It features a compact size that occupies minimal space, making it an excellent addition to your modern homes. With a simple and fast switching method, the OCIDIN Heating Fan adapts to users’ requirements, providing a practical solution for everyday challenges.

Why is it noteworthy?

The OCIDIN Heating Fan adopts an innovative approach to home heating and drying and serves as a space-saving solution. It cuts down the need for multiple appliances, thereby reducing clutter. It can smoothly switch between heating and drying modes, and it focuses on user convenience and adaptability, making it essential for your home.

What we like

• Combines heating and drying functions, reducing the need for multiple appliances.
• Facilitates a simple transition between heating and drying modes for user convenience.

What we dislike

• While versatile, it may not offer the same performance as dedicated heaters or dryers.
• Operating both functions may lead to higher energy usage compared to single-function appliances.

The post Top 10 Innovative Gadgets That Are Essential Home Upgrades For Tech-Savvy Homeowners first appeared on Yanko Design.

All 52 Dezeen Awards 2024 winners were announced at a spectacular ceremony in central London yesterday evening.

The winners were revealed at the annual Dezeen Awards 2024 party attended by shortlisted studios alongside Dezeen Awards judges past and present including fashion designers Christian Louboutin and Ozwald Boateng, designers Giles Tettey Nartey and Sabine Marcelis, alongside architects Nikoline Dyrup Carlsen and Carolina Maluhy.

All Dezeen Awards 2024 winners revealed

The winning projects have been selected from more than 4,130 entries from 82 countries. The 41 project category winners were shortlisted for the architecture, interiors, design and sustainability project of the year awards. These projects went head to head to win the overall project of the year awards.

The six Designers of the Year and the Bentley Lighthouse Award winner were also announced at the ceremony.

View the winning studios on the Dezeen Awards website or read below:

Architecture

The Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens won the prestigious architecture project of the year award, sponsored by Equitone. It was also named civic project of the year.

The judges said, “its bold, repetitive shape serves as a landmark and delivers a powerful architectural statement, seamlessly integrating with the city’s geometry making it an outstanding contribution to the community”.

The winning Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre was up against projects that included a spherical dome extension using cross-laminated timber in Stockholm, an office building with exposed timber frame in Paris and a restored fortress using timber in Turkey.

Read more about The Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens and the architecture winners ›

Interiors

Aesop Diagonal by Spanish studio Mesura won the prestigious interiors project of the year award, sponsored by Gaggenau. It was also named retail interior (small) project of the year.

“It was a brilliant idea to take something so raw and recycle it in this way,” commended the judges. “Taking something that already exists and transforming it in a way that uses minimal resources and giving it an entirely new function.”

An apartment with secret door disguised as a bookcase in Barcelona, a converted coal mine into a secluded retreat in Taiwan and a tactile restaurant with carved stone bar in Portugal were a few of the projects competing with the retail store featuring discarded Montjuïc stone.

Read more about Aesop Diagonal and the interiors winners ›

Design

Faneeri folding chair by Forsman Design for Nikari won the prestigious design project of the year award and was also named seating design of the year.

“We were drawn to the restraint of this chair yet impressed by the highly technical yet minimal use of materials that enables the folding chair’s backrest to morph from flat when stored to an elegant, curved and supportive design when opened,” said the master jury.

The minimalist seat was up against designs that included a seat clad in hand-stitched bark, a flashlight assembly kit for refugee children and a series of geometric colourful covers depicting real-life architecture.

Read more about Faneeri folding chair and the design winners › 

Sustainability

A figure-eight-shaped accommodation block and various educational spaces designed by US studio MASS Design Group won overall sustainable project of the year. The project was also named sustainable building of the year.

The master jury described the project as “architecture at its best – beautiful, useful and inspiring.”

“The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture respectfully sits within its landscape, using local bio-based materials while regenerating biodiversity and benefitting the local community through training and job creation.”

Other contenders for sustainability project of the year included a bold yellow office retrofit in Berlin, a recyclable sofa system made from natural cork and a custom brick made from tea leaves and soil.

Read more about Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture and the sustainability winners ›

Designers of the Year

Bangladeshi practice Marina Tabassum Architects took home the architect of the year award, and Studio Saar was named emerging architect of the year.

Interior designer of the year was awarded to Paris-based studio Chzon run by Dorothée Meilichzon, and Polish studio Mistovia was crowned emerging interior designer of the year.

Sabine Marcelis Dutch studio won designer of the year and Hong Kong designer Didi Ng Wing Yin was named emerging designer of the year.

Read more about the Designers of the Year winners › 

Bentley Lighthouse Award

Mexico City and London-based designer Fernando Laposse, who specialises in plant-based materials won the prestigious Bentley Lighthouse Award.

The annual award recognises designers who are curious and courageous in their approach, and whose work has had a beneficial impact on social and environmental sustainability, inclusivity or community empowerment.

“Fernando Laposse’s work engages traditional, almost primitive making techniques, imaginatively transforming local humble materials into powerful contemporary designs,” said the master jury.

“His work is focussed on reinvigorating waning craft skills and materials, in turn boosting local ecosystems and supporting his local communities,” they continued. “Laposse’s creations are almost the byproduct of his broader desire to support regenerative agricultural methods and tackle environmental degradation in his region.”

Read more about the Fernando Laposse ›

Dezeen Awards 2024 in partnership with Bentley

Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The seventh edition of the annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley’s architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world.

The post Dezeen Awards 2024 winners announced at London ceremony appeared first on Dezeen.

Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis, who was yesterday named designer of the year at this year’s Dezeen Awards, talks about the difficulties facing emerging designers in this interview.

Marcelis, who is known for her work in resin and stone, began her career after studying industrial design in Wellington, New Zealand, before doing a degree at Design Academy Eindhoven. After graduating in 2011, she quickly decided she wanted to work for herself.

“I decided I don’t want to work for anyone; I was like ‘I’ll just start my own studio,'” she told Dezeen.

“I wanted to do my own thing, and I was lucky enough to get a very cheap studio and an equally cheap house, so I wasn’t under so much pressure to do work that brought in money to pay for my living expenses,” she added. “I was just doing things like babysitting and bar work.”

“I really feel for young designers now”

Marcelis knows how lucky she was to be starting at a time when this was possible, and doesn’t believe that would be the case today.

“I really feel for young designers now, because straightaway, you have crazy high living costs,” she said.

“I got very lucky in this moment where I was able to experiment and do whatever; it didn’t matter whether there was a market for what I was doing or if anyone was interested in it. I uncompromisingly did my own thing.”

A job for a big fashion house, which Marcelis said she can’t name, led her to design the ‘candy cubes’ for which she has become known. The pale-pastel-coloured tables are instantly recognisable and have been used in numerous interior projects.

But though it’s what people often associate her with, resin pieces make up just a third of her studio’s projects.

“Two-thirds is glass,” Marcelis said. “Both materials have the ability to become so many different things – their properties can be the whole spectrum of completely transparent and glossy to completely opaque and matte and everything in between.”

“I’m interested in how certain materials can have interactions with light and how you activate and use the natural surroundings, like sunlight, with a combination of materials,” she added.

She believes that her extensive work with resin has meant that she can have an impact on the sustainability of the material.

“We buy resin from a supplier and the more projects we do, the more voice we have about whether they’re going to put more bio percentage in the resin,” she explained.

“Because we’ve been working with them for quite some time, we’ve been able to push them to get the non-virgin percentage of the resin to almost 60 per cent.”

Designers need to be “extremely aware” of sustainability issues

To Marcelis, when it comes to sustainability it’s important that designers do the research and have all the information they need.

“The main thing to do as a designer is to be as well informed as possible, to be able to make the right decisions depending on which market you’re working in and what the application and desired lifeline of a project is,” she said.

Her clients have also become more interested in sustainability issues, she added.

“Not that long ago, no one gave a shit at all,” Marcelis said. “But we all have a responsibility and I think we need to be extremely aware of it and not just frivolously design new chairs every year.”

Marcelis is becoming one of the best-known female designers working today and has worked on everything from a conceptual Renault car to IKEA products, but she says the design industry can still be harder to break into for women.

“It’s so tricky because I feel like a lot of bigger brands are a bit stuck in their ways,” she said.”They’ve worked with a lot of big-name males for many years, they like that relationship and they carry on that relationship.”

However, she believes that this is also because brands aren’t open enough to working with emerging designers in general.

“I almost feel like it’s a dual conversation that’s not just gender but also age, because there’s not a lot of opportunities for new designers coming into the field,” she said.

“And I think that’s really a mistake because new brains; new ideas – the doors should be much more open for that.”

AlUla project “was really about empowerment”

For this year’s Milan design week, Marcelis had originally planned to take a step back after doing a number of big projects in previous years, including an installation with Solid Nature in 2023.

But she got asked, together with her partner, architect Paul Cournet, to create an installation for the AlUla design space.

The result was a lounge space with a soft overhead light and massive sculptural chairs by French designer Leo Orta that created a desert-like landscape.

The space also showcased pieces that were made during a design residency at AlUla by other designers.

“The fact that it was more about cinematography and creating a stage for other designers was really attractive to me,” Marcelis said.

“[I was] still doing something very creative and being able to set a mood, but it wasn’t so much ‘look at me’, it was more ‘look at these other designs’.”

AlUla is one of Saudi Arabia’s 14 giga projects, developed as part of crown prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan to transform the country.

The country has been criticised for its record on human rights, especially in connection with another of the giga projects, Neom.

But Marcelis believes that projects like AlUla can be an opportunity for change.

“What was really pleasantly surprising is that it’s not one of those projects where it’s about bringing Western designers and lumping them in this foreign country, taking elements and then that’s it,” she said.

“The whole AlUla design space is very much about developing a culture of design within the region and having local craftsmen involved,” she added. “So the whole project was really about empowerment.”

“I think it’s the wrong way to go around something where, yes, there are some not-great things about political policies – but then I don’t know if it’s the right way to go about it to completely put off any opportunities to change, because I feel like projects like this are an opportunity for change.”

“I want to be 100 per cent involved”

Another recent project, VitraHaus loft, saw Marcelis design an interior for furniture brand Vitra‘s Herzog & de Meuron-designed flagship store in Weil am Rhein, Germany.

However, she doesn’t plan to focus on doing more interior projects in the future.

“I don’t want to do more interiors – I love being the person that goes in and out of architectural projects,” she explained. “Like with OMA, when they did the KaDeWe in Berlin, I come in to do the entrance and then I leave again; that’s my strength.”

“With Vitra, it was an interesting challenge because it’s so different to what I normally do and how I work.”

Her eight-person studio is also currently exploring smart-material technology designs and kinetic designs, such as her recent work for Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.

“I want to be 100 per cent involved in every single project,” Marcelis concluded.

“I don’t have any desire to become a brand or a studio where things leave the building without me ever having looked at it. It’s my name, and I think it’s very important that it’s also then my ideas.”

Dezeen In Depth
If you enjoy reading Dezeen’s interviews, opinions and features, subscribe to Dezeen In Depth. Sent on the last Friday of each month, this newsletter provides a single place to read about the design and architecture stories behind the headlines.

The post “I decided I don’t want to work for anyone” says Sabine Marcelis appeared first on Dezeen.

Textile brand Kvadrat has worked with designer Teruhiro Yanagihara to launch its first recycled polyester textile made of waste fabric instead of the usual plastic bottles.

Kvadrat refers to Ame as its first “textile-to-textile” recycled polyester, which the company says is an important step in closing the loop within the textile lifecycle.

Usually, waste PET plastic bottles are made into recycled polyester, while waste polyester is made into other products – a process that is sometimes known as “downcycling” because the material loses quality with each round of recycling.

Kvadrat itself currently recycles some of its textile waste into solid boards and acoustic panels while using recycled bottles to make a polyester textile.

To create a textile product from textile waste, Kvadrat turned to chemical recycling – a promising but controversial alternative to mechanical recycling that opens up wider uses for waste plastics.

In Kvadrat’s method, known as depolymerisation, the polyester is broken down into its molecular building blocks and then built up again to regain the quality of the virgin material.

Purified from its past chemicals and dyes, the material takes the form of polyester chips that are spun into yarn to make the new textile.

Kvadrat uses a mix of post-consumer and post-industrial polyester waste in the process.

“To innovate, we must disrupt the way we source raw materials and create textiles,” said Kvadrat Innovation Lab manager Lea Nordström.

“Material diversity is key at Kvadrat and we work with a wide range of recycled raw materials,” she added. “But we believe that the future will be circular. And so for Ame, we developed our first yarn made from polyester textile waste.”

While much of Kvadrat’s catalogue is made with natural fibres, polyester is usually chosen for high-performance textiles because it is durable, lightfast and resistant to stretching, shrinking and wrinkling.

For the look of Ame, Kvadrat approached Yanagihara, attracted by his research into the Silk Road and the Japanese mending technique sashiko, which is traditionally used to repair kimonos.

“Ame is a fresh innovation made entirely out of textile-to-textile waste and a nice connection with sashiko, an old mending technique that also is about preserving pieces of fabrics,” Kvadrat design vice-president Stine Find Osther told Dezeen.

Yanagihara’s design for Ame involves weaving together two different yarn colours and thicknesses to make a delicate pattern reminiscent of hand stitching.

The colour palette is also inspired by an aspect of traditional Japanese dress known as “kasane no irome”, which refers to the layering of kimonos in precise colour combinations.

Chemical recycling technologies are controversial, largely because they generate large amounts of toxic waste and emissions, such that critics argue more harm than good is done.

The depolymerisation process used by Kvadrat requires the application of both high heat and chemicals. The brand admits that the energy use is high but said it expects this to improve over time.

“It will always require a great deal of energy to facilitate any sustainable innovation, especially in the beginning until the right volumes and flow are mastered,” said Osther.

“But as we see it, it is essential to decrease the amount of virgin fossil fuel-based material that we use, whether it is recycled or bio-based. We will need both in the future.”

“The main priority will always be that our products are safely produced and safe to use, and that we never compromise on the longevity of the textile,” Oster concluded.

Ame is shortlisted in the material innovation category of Dezeen Awards 2024.

Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel told Dezeen earlier this year that the company was measuring its environmental footprint scientifically in line with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI). “We want to be the undisputed leader in sustainability,” he said in the interview.

The post Kvadrat launches first recycled polyester textile actually made from polyester appeared first on Dezeen.