The ubiquitous big gun Tom Dixon has been a key figure in Milan for as long as we can remember. This year, alongside new launches under his own banner, he's collaborated with Japanese architect Shigeru Ban on one of the most exciting things we've seen yet.
As Creative Director of historic Finnish design company Artek, Dixon and Ban have constructed a pavilion to showcase Artek's new Bambu product range. The Finnish forestry company UPM has developed a new material from self-adhesive label strips, out of which the entire pavilion has been made and is now on display in Milan's Triennale Park.
This new material is 40% recycled plastic and 60% wood and has many advantages as a viable building material. It is lighter than plastic, doesn't require treating for outdoor use and can be entirely recycled.
The temple-like structure is incredible serene and has an ethereal atmosphere, largely from the way the space is lit - by a transparent section in the middle. The eco principles behind the structure are very in-keeping with Shigeru Ban's design ethos but also with Artek, who were one of the first design companies to incorporate sustainability and the environment into their work.
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