Common Object Studio is a design practice that operates on a philosophy that prioritizes ecological and social regeneration as the core of its creative process. The studio’s methodology involves a rigorous initial inquiry into an object’s entire lifecycle, its relationship to its ecosystem, and its broader societal impact. This approach manifests in experimental material use, where waste streams like discarded wool, fallen urban lumber, and agricultural byproducts are transformed into high-performance, biodegradable, or fully recyclable components for furniture and lighting.

Key projects that illustrate Common Object Studio’s ethos include the Strata system, the Nodo Stool, and the OkaTerra Terra Lounge chair. The Strata system commercializes textile waste by upcycling discarded office furniture, while the Nodo Stool utilizes 3D-printed biocomposites and waste wool. The OkaTerra Terra Lounge chair, on the other hand, incorporates plant-based leather and tracks the carbon footprint of its urban lumber frame.

Common Object Studio also emphasizes transparency through certifications like Declare Labels, ethical labor practices through direct collaboration with craftspeople and farmers, and designs for longevity through modularity and repairability.

Image Credit: Haworth, Pete McDaniel, Justin Beitzel, Fernando Ramirez