‘chaise longue n°4’ by sixixis studio, made from locally sourced british oak

growing materials 5 january – 16 march 2008 VIA – volarisation de l’innovation dans l’ameublement, paris, france

the exhibition welcoming in the new year at the VIA is ‘growing materials’, a show aiming to demonstrate new possibilities for using renewable materials such as timber, multiplies and composite fibers from vegetable origins.

growing materials at VIA ‘summer’ table by by ryck lee, sustainable bamboo laser cut

solid timber is taking the air! gone are the days when it was trapped between two extremes: fine finish for period
pieces and industrial milling and processing for mass production. the general public is discovering the sensuality
of ‘real’ wood. and progressive creators too! this enthusiasm is justified by the potential of a natural material that
can be used solid and raw or processed and transformed.

growing materials at VIA ‘arka’ (‘ecopod’ coffin) by hazel selina, 100% recycle paper/ papier mache

the field of applications has widened enormously, with inventors daily finding new and ingenious ways of improving qualities to super-natural status. curved, bowed, glued, woven, laser cut, carbon-processed, treated… the more timber is worked over, the more sublime it becomes.growing materials at VIA ‘les fourmies bleus’ (fohen floor lamp) by elen boutang, paper 100% plant

the many and varied uses of these materials are often surprising, and their growing popularity is a logical development in an age that is increasingly aware of the environmental impact of production. the (re)discovery of vegetable fibres, rattan, bamboo or soya bean, and the contribution of new technologies to optimize their use is opening up countless new possibilities for intelligent applications in contemporary design.

growing materials at VIA ‘waste-ware’ by matthijs vogel, biodegradable plates and bowls pressed from wasted vegetables,fruit,tea and coffee