At Common Object Studio, we believe design has moved beyond the traditional form and function model. The new frontier lies in systems, materiality, and radical intentionality—placing these considerations at the very start of every project. User-centered design has evolved into planet-centered design because, after all, we are part of this planet.

Before we begin, we ask the big questions: How does an object exist within an ecosystem? How does it evolve—physically, emotionally, and socially? What impact does it have on the people who make it and the environment it comes from? These questions drive our work, pushing beyond sustainability into regeneration, where design actively contributes to ecological and social well-being.

Aesthetic philosophy: Playfulness meets purpose 

We blend soft, inviting forms with a deep respect for material processes, allowing nature and ergonomics to guide us. Our aesthetic embraces imperfection, texture, and organic finishes, celebrating the unique qualities of each material. Objects should work hard but never take themselves too seriously—a balance of thoughtfulness and play that sparks curiosity.

From biodegradable furniture to upcycled textile installations, our work challenges conventional notions of beauty. We let materials and processes shape the outcome, creating designs that are not just visually compelling but also deeply connected to their origins.

Function: Built to last, designed for change 

Every piece we create is meant to adapt, evolve, and endure. Functionality isn’t just about how an object performs today—it’s about how it continues to serve over time. We prioritize repairability, modularity, and circular design to ensure that our products last far beyond a single use cycle.

For example, our Strata upholstery system repurposes discarded office furniture, applying a quilt-like covering that adapts to different frames. Similarly, our OkaTerra project builds local supply chains that make sustainable furniture accessible and adaptable. Through these systems, we prove that regeneration and commercial viability can go hand in hand.

Material exploration: Rethinking waste, redefining value

Our design process is experimental, iterative, and deeply rooted in material innovation. We reimagine waste streams, transforming byproducts into high-performance materials. 

• We incorporate regenerative wool in furniture components, proving that discarded farm waste can have new value. 
• We collaborate with urban logging programs to repurpose fallen trees, creating ethically sourced wood furniture. 
• We explore bio-based resins and regenerative hemp fibers to develop fully biodegradable, high-performance materials.

For us, creativity means challenging conventional thinking and pioneering new ways to close material loops.

Regeneration as a moving goal

Sustainability isn’t a static checklist—it’s a pursuit, and a continuous evolution. We design for real impact, not just carbon offsets or surface-level certifications. That’s why we push for transparency, securing Declare Labels and Red List Free certifications to set new industry standards.

But regeneration isn’t just about materials—it’s about people. We work directly with regenerative farmers, craftspeople, and local manufacturers, ensuring ethical labor practices and fair wages. We also host co-design workshops that bring together artists, students, and industry professionals to share knowledge and push innovation forward.

On one hand, we believe longevity is the true measure of sustainability—when people connect emotionally with objects, they care for them, repair them, and keep them for generations. On the other, we ask: How long should a product last? Can we design for biodegradability, or use materials that carry a return value, encouraging take-back programs or easy recycling? Every product we create considers this balance.

A new design paradigm 

Common Object Studio is not just a design practice—it’s part of a movement. A movement that challenges the status quo, redefines sustainability, and embraces regeneration as the future of design.

We believe design has the power to heal—to restore ecosystems, uplift communities, and create products that give back more than they take. With each project, we move closer to that reality. The question we continue to ask: Can design be a force for ecological and social healing? We believe the answer is yes. And we’re here to prove it.

Public Thread – Strata: commercializing textile waste 

At the core of Strata is a question: How do we commercialize circular systems in a way that sustains both people and the planet? Partnering with Public Thread, we set out to create an upholstery system that is both commercially viable and deeply rooted in craft—proving that handmade, upcycled textiles can elevate both design and value.

A key element of this project is repurposing furniture takebacks and office buyouts, transforming large lots of discarded frames into renewed, high-quality pieces. Through a structured evaluation process, our “quilt-like” upholstery system adapts seamlessly to varied frame styles, allowing for scalability and customization.

The Strata collection integrates bio-based and recycled foams, ensuring both comfort and sustainability. Designed for easy disassembly and servicing, these pieces extend their lifecycle, proving that waste diversion can create thoughtful, high-value furniture that evolves through its second, third, or even fourth life. 

Nodo Stool 

At Common Object Studio, material exploration is a dialogue between tradition and technology. The Nodo Stool embodies this approach, combining 3D-printed biodegradable framework with natural, regenerative textiles. The frame, made from a wood dust and corn-based composite, features an intricate lattice-like structure inspired by coral formations, engineered for both strength and fluidity.

The stool’s 100% bio-based upholstered tubes are crafted using Kvadrat wool and filled with waste wool, a material innovation developed in our studio. This design highlights the interplay between structure and softness, allowing the plush upholstery to weave through the rigid framework in an organic, sculptural expression.

Nodo reflects our commitment to pushing material boundaries while honoring traditional craftsmanship. By integrating advanced fabrication techniques with time-honored materials, we reimagine sustainability in a modern context. The result is a piece that is both visually striking and materially responsible—an exploration of form, function, and the future of regenerative design.

Numero Stool & Table 

Designed for versatility, the Numero Line seamlessly transitions between a stool and a table, adapting to diverse spatial needs with ease. Its frame, crafted from sustainably sourced fallen lumber, draws inspiration from the elegant simplicity of Roman numerals, creating a timeless yet contemporary aesthetic. The inset pad, made from regenerative wool, reflects our commitment to both environmental responsibility and artisanal craftsmanship.

At Common Object Studio, transparency is a core pillar of our practice. The Numero Line is our first product to achieve a Declare Label, ensuring it is Red List Free and meets the highest standards of material health. By prioritizing sustainability from the outset, we create a clear and measurable path toward truly regenerative design. Numero is not just adaptable in function—it is a statement of our commitment to shaping a future where design and sustainability are inseparable.

Haworth Understory 

A vibrant, 100% bio-based and biodegradable landscape, Haworth Understory reimagines space with a collection of stools and space dividers crafted from regenerative materials. Each element is thoughtfully designed using local resources—waste wool from farmers, willow sticks, salvaged wood, and hemp hurd mixed with soda lime. These materials were chosen for their ability to return to the earth, embodying the studio’s commitment to regenerative design, while supporting local communities.

The Hempdrops take on a familiar form, drawing you in with their organic textures—no two are ever the same. Their rich, natural hues are achieved through mineral-based colorants, creating a soft, monochromatic ombré effect that feels both ethereal and grounded.

Designed to foster a connection to the natural world, the Hempdrops and Understory Screens bring both calm and playfulness to any space. The screens, engineered for simplicity, disassemble from a single connection point and biodegrade naturally, ensuring a seamless return to the earth. Understory is more than furniture—it’s an invitation to rethink the way materials shape our spaces and our relationship with nature.

OkaTerra Terra Lounge 

A collaboration between OkaTerra and Mirum, the Terra Lounge redefines biobased design, while embracing low-slung relaxation at its core. This innovative lounge chair seamlessly blends sustainability with comfort, utilizing waste wool, hemp, and plant-based Mirum leather to create a sling and cushion as plush and inviting as its plastic and foam-based counterparts.

The design balances structure and softness. A rigid, geometric frame with intersecting forms contrasts beautifully with the cushion’s natural suppleness and organic imperfections. Precisely milled wood details interact cleverly with the sling, enhancing both form and function. Thoughtfully designed for longevity, every component is easily serviceable and replaceable, ensuring a long product life cycle.

The frame is crafted from fallen urban lumber, transparently tracking the origin of each tree and calculating its carbon footprint. The cushion fill features a felted layer and waste wool sourced from our partner farm in Pennsylvania, offering both sustainability and comfort. Inspired by fashion, the ruched detailing in the cushion is achieved through a hemp pull, which also secures the pad to the frame.

The result is a lounge chair that embodies both beauty and material transparency, proving that sustainable design can be both luxurious and regenerative. Designed with intention, it not only enhances spaces with its sculptural form, but also sets a new standard for furniture that is both well-crafted and in harmony with the planet.