MATERIAL PALETTE

For over two decades, we have worked hand-in-hand with skilled artisans to create furniture that is both sustainable and ethically crafted. Our material palette spans bamboo, recycled textiles, reclaimed teak, brass, aluminium, terracotta, and paper-mâché— materials chosen because they are clean, timeless and artisanal. Our work is anchored in a holistic understanding of sustainability: clean materials, ethical production grounded in craft skill-building, deep engagement with indigenous knowledge systems, and a commitment to livelihoods and shared economic growth. These values inform every piece we create

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  • BAMBOO

    We have worked with bamboo for over two decades. It is integral to everything we do because of its incredible potential to impact sustainability holistically. It is a highly-renewable grass, being one of the fastest-growing plant species. Unlike trees which have a single trunk, bamboo has several poles. Therefore, mindfully harvesting bamboo does not cause a complete loss of green-cover, such as when trees are felled.

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  • BRASS

    We use brass because it is 100% recyclable, and because, unlike other materials, it does not degrade significantly during the recycling process. The high value of brass ensures that it is indeed sorted and recycled, reducing the burden on mining virgin material.

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  • CHINDI ROPES

    Chindi ropes are made from recycled fabric scraps that originate from leftover textiles in the textile industry. The term ‘Chindi’ comes from the Hindi word for ‘scrap’ or ‘torn cloth’. These scraps are collected, twisted, or braided together to create durable and colourful ropes. The twisting and braiding of fabric increases the durability and strength of the fabric while also increasing its lifespan.

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  • LEATHER

    We use leather cord to weave our furniture with, because we believe, if done correctly, leather can be a sustainable material option. Leather is a long lasting, high-value material that ages beautifully and biodegrades naturally in 25-45 years.  It has a premium positioning, which means leather won’t end up in a garbage dump as quickly as other materials, reducing the need to create fresh leather resources.

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  • REPURPOSED TEAK WOOD

    At Rhizome, we always look at reclaiming or upcycling before recycling. Recycling calls for breaking down the material and reconstituting it into a new material, which may or may not have the same characteristics as the mother material. Reclaiming is when the original material is not reconstituted - it is just used in a different application, extending the material’s life. Reclaiming is more sustainable than recycling, because no energy is spent in recycling the original material into a new material, nor are there any emissions that this process would have caused.

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  • TERRACOTTA

    Terracotta is a very durable material attested by the fact that archaeological findings of ancient sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa include terracotta artefacts. Terracotta products can last over a long time period, reducing the need for replacements, and fresh material and production resources. Terracotta can be recycled and reused by grinding it down and using it in new production. This minimises waste and resource consumption.

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GET IN TOUCH

 Have a project or idea to discuss? Email us at info@rhizomedesign.co and our team will help bring your design vision to life. 

CONTACT