Agricola

Concept

Agricola is a collection of design products developed with a focus on low CO₂ emissions and the use of locally sourced materials. The products are designed from agricultural waste derived from the production and consumption of vegetables and cereals. By processing those fibers with natural binders such as latex, dammar gum, and gamboge, it is possible to obtain moldable materials that maintain their quality for up to 10 years. After this period, the products naturally biodegrade and can be fully composted, thus becoming soil nutrient.

The first Agricola collection is a series of lights that celebrates the uniqueness of this approach. The colors of agricultural fields shift with the seasons, offering an ever-changing palette of discarded materials. Once dried, these materials reveal a spectrum of hues ranging from greens and browns to light and dark yellows. Alongside perennial materials, Agricola also explores “seasonal” colors, entirely dependent on the local agricultural waste generated at different times of the year. Each product in the collection carries a story—its origin, the type of material used, the time of collection, and the producer—creating an artistic narrative that speaks through texture, color, and even scent.

Process

The Agricola collection was born as a result of a collaboration with Dutch company Enkev, specializing in sustainable and natural materials. Enkev pioneered a method of agricultural waste transformation, where leftover material is turned into natural fibers panels of different colors, densities, thicknesses, and flexibility. The process involves co-pressing fibers and latex into a specially designed mold. Once formed, the part is cut using specialized scissor tools, and finally vulcanized to maintain its shape. The result is a stable, lightweight, recyclable product that last up to 10 years.