The Conversation Pit is an 8-piece modular sofa designed by Studio Howard in celebration of the opening of the new custom upholstery & soft furnishings workroom at Howards’ manufacturing company Oregon Natural Fiber Mill.
Part art project, part experiment, Studio Howard recontextualizes folk/punk/rock lyrics as if they were journal entries from Mother Earth’s innermost thoughts about her shifting climate, the degrading of her bounty and the pillage of her resources. The wearer is a walking billboard of sorts, blasting the short phrases, and springboarding conversations around topics like the world’s 2nd most polluting industry, or circular fashion, or regenerative biomaterials in the 21st century, or whatever is sparked!
Studio Howard designed 100% upcycled sound baffling wall “swags” with Osmose Design for the Tomorrow Theater; an art and multimedia storytelling venue brough to you by the Portland Art Museums Center for an Untold Tomorrow.
Materials include deconstructed curtains, clothing, sheets, and bedding which take on a new life in the theaters main auditorium.
Studio Howard worked with Cotopaxi and Portland Garment Factory to design the Renovo Collection, a line of apparel made from 100% upcycled Cotopaxi jackets and materials. With an estimated 30% lower carbon footprint than similar collections made from new materials, this project showcases how circular design can reduce environmental impact without sacrificing style or function.
Materials include pre-loved reclaimed Cotopaxi outdoor apparel and accessories.
Collaborating with Mylle to minimize their waste stream, Studio Howard led the design of the OOAK Collection, reimagining the previously loved vinyl pools as stunning, high-end products. The designs were brought to life at Portland Garment Factory (PGF), a zero-waste creative fabrication studio, where the discarded inflatable pools were expertly cut and assembled into beautifully crafted tote bags, pouches, picnic blankets, and hats. Driven by a shared commitment to sustainability, Mylle, Studio Howard, and PGF successfully created a collection that showcases innovative future-forward solutions with exceptional design and craftsmanship.
100% Reclaimed Inflatable Pools.
