Cradle-to-Cradle Design

The S.E.A.T Project is more than just a simple gesture towards sustainable, socially innovative design. In fact, we have built our entire social business model on the principles of Cradle-to-Cradle design theory and social change theory.

Our little stool SEAT is made entirely from bamboo and was designed according to these principles. SEAT is made in a sustainable bamboo factory in Vietnam where the bamboo offcuts are fed into the furnace which powers the whole factory, thus creating no waste. The stool itself requires no nails or glue and is 100% biodegradable, including the packaging.

Cradle-to-Cradle theory, a term first coined by German scientist Michael Braungart and American architect William McDonough, refers to a conception of design where “all the things we make, use and consume provide nutrition for nature and industry.”

Karina Clarke, a researcher at University of New South Wales, Art & Design, conducted research into the S.E.A.T Project initiative and has documented her findings in a paper titled “SEAT: The Little Stool That Could: The development of social innovation in product design”. Click on this link to read the full paper.