Hydro, a leading player in the aluminium and renewable energy sector, is marking its presence at the London Design Festival by exhibiting a sustainable collaboration with famed designer Lars Beller Fjetland.
This partnership earlier bore fruit in the form of the Bello! bench. Made from extruded aluminium boasting 90% recycled content, the outdoor seating solution stands as a testament to sustainable design and innovation. Currently on display at Material Matters at Oxo Tower, the Bello! bench underscores Hydro’s unwavering commitment to decarbonising society.
Asle Forsbak, Hydro’s Marketing Director, emphasized the importance of design literacy in sustainable manufacturing, citing that “80% of a product’s environmental footprint stems from its design phase”.
Hydro’s mission revolves around achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The firm holds that collaborations, like their partnerships with icons such as Tom Dixon, Polestar, Porsche, and Cake, can drive the industry towards more sustainable practices.
“Choices made during the design phase dictate a product’s recyclability,” Forsbak highlighted. The Bello! bench, inspired by penne rigate pasta and composed of 90% recycled aluminium, illustrates this principle in action.
Fjetland, unveiling Bello! in an eye-catching shade of green, echoed Forsbak’s sentiments on collaboration, remarking that united efforts result in robust outcomes.
While Hydro’s exhibit at the London Design Festival might come as a surprise to many, Forsbak articulated their rationale. “The Bello! bench is our medium to showcase how the melding of industrial design and sustainable practices can yield products that are not just aesthetic but environmentally sound.”
Noting the environmental implications of mass production, Forsbak stressed the importance of market-driven sustainability. He said effective change demands a blend of expertise across sectors. “We can’t address the sustainability dilemma in isolation. Collaborative efforts are pivotal to decarbonise society,” Forsbak stated.
Visitors to the festival can view the Bello! bench at the Material Matters exhibition, with Hydro’s stand uniquely constructed from repurposed components from previous exhibitions.
