AVANI-Sustainable Furniture
The final project is a brand of keenly-articulated typology of table and storage, designed to reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle. Primarily made of ethically sourced bamboo plywood, the product range is built of modular components shared across the selected typology, resulting in a natural, clean, and unfiltered aesthetic that blends into any interior environment.
The tables feature handwoven water hyacinth baskets, while the storage units are upholstered with Navalgud dhurries, both handcrafted elements adding richness to the simple structural framework.
While the outline of the brand avoids wastage of materials in all their forms-raw, built, and used, its ethos persuades the consumer to not just buy, but also maintain the product. Challenging the definitions of affordability and sustainability, as well as their differences, the two parallels of design are intricately woven together to create a well-crafted range of furniture.
The brand is focused on sustainability and eco-friendliness, demonstrated by the use of bamboo as the primary material for production. Bamboo is chosen for its durability, strength, and eco-benefits such as releasing more oxygen than other trees. The carbon footprint and raw materials are sourced locally and the craftsmanship is vernacular. Precise cuts are made using a CNC machine and the furniture is constructed using FSC-certified bamboo plywood, extending its lifespan. The furniture is designed with modular components for easy repair and replacement, encouraging customers to repair instead of discard it. The brand has a buy-back program for broken furniture, where functioning parts are reused and broken ones are recycled. Efficient production is achieved by avoiding organic shapes and over-design of elements.
Each piece of furniture is made of 4 elements of plywood and a 5th handcrafted component. The legs are 1.5" thick and come in two sizes, with the front face exposed for aesthetics. The pull-outs are 3/4" plywood in two widths and supported by a standard framework, with a 3" dummy at the back for baskets. The top structure is rounded and made of 1" plywood, with customizable length and either 1'6" or 1'3" breadth. The negative cuts of the CNC plywood are used for support, and the final component is either a water hyacinth basket or cotton Durries. The table top is fixed with figure 8 screws, and smaller joints use pocket wood joints.
The combination of machine-cut structures and artisanal handicrafts creates a unique look and highlights the dedication of the craftsmen. Each piece is marked with the story of the artisan who made it, emphasizing the value of their craft.
