Material Matters 2025 - My Circular Jouney in Furniture Design
- Ric Frampton
- Oct 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3
This year at Material Matters London, I was delighted to share key pieces from ‘My Circular Journey’ showcasing the progress, lessons, and design solutions I’ve developed to help reduce our impact on the planet. I started questioning the linear way the furniture industry consumes materials. There had to be a more responsible approach. Through a deep dive into circularity combined with design thinking, I’ve been exploring solutions that rethink how we make and use furniture.
Ever for NaughtOne
Back in 2019, I started a project that reshaped the way I approach design. The goal wasn’t profit or trends, it was about values. I was asked to rethink manufacturing and explore how products could avoid ending up in landfill.
My report conclude that recycling and material recovery was only part of the story. By improving the environmental impact of one product, we could spark business wide change through circularity.
For a product to be circular ready it needs to retain its usefulness throughout its life, not just at the end of it. That thinking shaped the design of a chair and sofa range built for disassembly, repair, and reuse without material degradation.
That’s why the collection is called “Ever” a nod to the continuous life of its materials.
Re.Wrap
With its intelligent patent pending design (2301569.6), Re.Wraps 100% recyclable solution uses only three materials:
Reclaimed PET
Aluminium
Fabric (the standard fabric is 100% recycled)
PET is made from a minimum of 60% post consumer plastic bottles. This material is then reclaimed from sites e.g. acoustic panelling or ceiling baffles, then fabricated into Re.Wrap, setting the materials on their third cycle. If that wasn't enough, a take back scheme is dedicated to the collection and re-purposing of Re.Wrap panels to ensure all materials are continuously reused or re-manufactured, truly taking control and closing the loop.
DC-01 Chair – DEKA
Sometimes projects work because the right people with the same values come together and push for a common goal. The DC-01 chair is the result of a commitment to sustainability through circular design. While it may appear simple, it is in fact a thoughtfully designed product that carefully considers its environmental impact.
Design for Longevity
Materials and separability
Service and re-manufacture
End of life material recovery
We used simple materials that were durable and replaceable, each part can be removed using a 4mm Allen Key. The unique wool filling is not glued and can be reused or replace without material degradation.
DEKA’s unique FRV offer (Furniture Return Value) serves as an incentive for the reuse and re-manufacture of their products. The design process had to ensure a healthy balance of quality, serviceability as well as desirability.
Moor Wood and Wool – Moor Furniture Design
Moor Wood and Wool started as an experimental lounge chair aimed at simplifying the environmental message for furniture. The goal was to make the chair from materials that are easy to understand, people wouldn't need in-depth environmental knowledge or a long explanation.
Using a mix of high-tech machinery and artisan skills, Moor Wood and Wool is crafted from responsibly sourced wood and local wool. Each part has been engineered to work honestly, for disassembly without material degradation. Which means this chair is made as close to nature so it can return to nature.
Moor Furniture is a brand founded by myself and three partners. We use it as a platform to experiment with conceptual furniture, exploring the edges of manufacturing processes, design, and material use. The only constant is that we create what we find truly interesting.
Wool and Its Incredible Properties
I love using wool in furniture it’s both practical and sustainable. Unlike many synthetic materials, it is fully renewable and biodegradable. Nature has also empowered wool this other incredible properties.
One of wool’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance body heat. It naturally insulates in cold weather by trapping warm air, yet it also breathes well, keeping you cool when temperatures rise. This makes it an ideal material for year round comfort.
Wool can also neutralise toxins in the air, helping create a healthier indoor environment. Its fibres can absorb and lock away pollutants, reducing harmful substances around us without the need for chemicals.
Another unique feature is wool’s natural crimp, a wave-like structure in each fibre that gives it elasticity, resilience, and softness. This crimp makes wool fabrics durable and able to bounce back into shape.
Finally, choosing wool supports local infrastructures. Many rural communities rely on farming for their livelihoods, and buying wool products helps sustain these industries while promoting ethical and sustainable practices.
Samples supplied by HD Wool who support ‘The Wool Keepers’.
Nothing ever just happens or appears from nowhere. We’re surrounded by designers, makers and suppliers. My exhibition was made possible by and great team of people.
So thank you, to
Material Matters - The WholeTeam - https://materialmatters.design/
NaughtOne - Ever Chair Sample - https://www.naughtone.com/products/ever/
DEKA - DC-01 Chair Sample and Parts - https://www.deka-design.com/
Re,Wrap - Re.Wrap Sample - https://www.rewrap.uk/
Dovetailors - Moor Wood and Wool, Wood Work - https://dovetailors.co.uk/
Cowch Upholstery - Moor Wood and Wool, Upholstery - https://www.instagram.com/cowch_upholstery/
HD Wool - Moor Wood and Wool, Wool Samples - https://www.hdwool.com/
Textile Mania - DC-01, Fabric - https://textilemania.com/
Olicana Textiles - Moor Wood and Wool, Fabric - https://www.olicana.co.uk/
Philip Vile courtesy of Material Matters - Rare Photo of me - https://www.instagram.com/philipvile/?hl=en-gb
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