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A Collaboration That Presents Endless Loop: From Waste to Wanted

12.07.22 | By
A Collaboration That Presents Endless Loop: From Waste to Wanted

Artist Mike Han, sustainable furniture design and manufacturing company Model No., and PROWL design studio joined together to bring to life Endless Loop: Waste to Wanted in Miami during this year’s Art Basel. With a shared vision and a plan to reduce environmental harm caused by manufacturing practices in the furniture business, the installation shared local, circular, and digital practices to reduce the industry’s footprint.

“As a studio, we use design to tell stories about the climate crisis we are facing and the ways we can shift our manufacturing practices towards positive change,” said Lauryn Menard and Baillie Mishler of PROWL. “We saw Model No. as the perfect partner to implement this narrative material way of thinking.

detail of dark column

Photo: Ryan Troy

two columns of illuminated silver and gold at an art exhibition

Photo: Ryan Troy

Jeffrey McGrew, Model No.’s co-founder and CTO, shared that “Almost everything we use to make our furnishings is either available in our backyard, like the salvaged hardwoods we’ve been using, or we can get it domestically by tapping things like agricultural bi-product. Not only can our 3D printing and digital manufacturing turn it into useful objects, but it’s also customizable and scalable.”

curvaceous while column punctuated by wooden disks

The installation featured one-of-a-kind stools and tables by PROWL, standing sculptures and pendant lights by Model No., and a monolith by Mike Han. Model No. custom produced each piece using fallen trees, sawdust, and upcycled plant waste – all of which were sourced near its microfactory in the Bay Area. Through the use of local materials, clean tech, domestic manufacturing, and made-to-order products, the results are beautiful and sustainable. The collaborative also has a stance against producing and shipping overseas to further reduce the industry’s harmful footprint, a harmful model that’s accepted by most of today’s leading furniture brands.

detail of curvaceous while column punctuated by wooden disks

“My creative practice is driven by the understanding that in order to create, you must destroy. I believe there is a burden and responsibility in making things, so having the opportunity to collaborate with Model No. to create with zero waste has been inspiring,” said Mike Han.

You can also find an animated NFT collectible from the trio in partnership with Solana, a carbon neutral blockchain. Together, the partnership not only puts the collaboration on the map, but positions the group at the forefront of art, design, and technology.

curvaceous black column punctuated by wooden disks

detail of curvaceous black column punctuated by wooden disks

two columns of illuminated silver and gold at an art exhibition

Photo: Ryan Troy

detail of white illuminated column

Photo: Ryan Troy

dark brown abstract pattern on a rectangular sheet of wood

detail of dark brown abstract pattern on a rectangular sheet of wood

blind abstract pattern on a rectangular sheet of wood

found wood dining table and short two leg stool

found wood dining table and short two leg stool

found wood dining table and short two leg stool

Asian man with short black hair wearing a short sleeved black shirt with his armed crossed and smiling

Mike Han

light-skinned man wearing a shirt, suit jacket, and tie on a white background

Model No.

two light-skinned people with dark hair wearing dark clothing and smiling

PROWL

To learn more about Endless Loop: From Waste to Wanted, visit model-no.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.