Eco-conscious designer Tomek Rygalik unveils the immortal furniture line, Loope, intended to endure eternally
In the heart of Poland, a furniture company named Loope is making waves in the design world. Founded by Tomek Rygalik, a renowned designer and professor at the Aalto University in Helsinki, Loope specializes in creating products made entirely from recycled and recyclable materials.
The brand's approach to design is rooted in circular principles, aiming to reduce environmental impact and foster sustainability within manufacturing. Rygalik, a positive impact researcher and designer, leads Loope together with his team at Studio Rygalik.
Loope's furniture is built to last, with full control over the recycling process ensuring the reused polyethylene remains uncontaminated and retains its key properties. Each piece, with its modern-yet-charming silhouettes, appeals to a broad market, suitable for both restaurants and parks.
The material used in Loope furniture is resistant to weather, breaks, and impacts, and is flexible, soft, yet incredibly durable. When buying a Loope piece, one is not just getting a chair but also the potential for a table in the future, as Loope products can be returned after use and transformed into another product in the collection.
Tomek Rygalik saw an opportunity to repurpose the offcuts, or scraps, from the production process of a plastic fabrication company specializing in rotational moulding. The offcuts used in Loope furniture are made of pure UV-stabilized polyethylene, which is highly durable, resistant to damage, and easy to maintain.
Rygalik's commitment to design innovation and sustainability extends beyond Loope. He has designed for several prominent companies such as Moroso, Cappellini, Ideal Standard, and Ikea. His involvement in design education and workshops, such as DesignNature Summer School, further highlights his broader dedication to the field.
Loope's sustainable design philosophy aligns well with contemporary trends celebrated at international design fairs. This week, Loope debuts at Salone del Mobile with Effects, a set of five collections that include coffee tables and seating for indoor and outdoor use.
While there are no direct details about Loope's specific collaborations or impact at the Salone del Mobile event, Rygalik's presence at such a prestigious design fair underscores the brand's growing influence in the design world. The Creative Campus in Sobole, Poland, where Rygalik also founded a state-of-the-art research and development center with a prototyping facility, focuses on research and development in the area of sustainability.
In summary, Loope represents a notable example of sustainable furniture design through its circular manufacturing process with recycled plastics, guided by Tomek Rygalik’s leadership and research into positive impact design. By returning a Loope piece after five years, it can be transformed into another product in the collection, exemplifying a closed-loop system that minimizes waste.
- Tomek Rygalik's vision for Loope extends beyond furniture design, as he aimsto introduce home-and-garden products that align with the brand's circular principles and lifestyle focus.
- As Loope continues to grow its presence in the design world, consumers can expect to see home-and-garden items from the brand, further emphasizing sustainability in daily life as a priority.
