Nature Squared, repenser la surface par le filtre de la durabilité

Nature Squared is an ethical Swiss company founded in 2000 that specialises in the manufacture of exquisite surfaces. Combining artistic craftsmanship, innovation and circularity, it focuses its expertise on the creation of natural materials, made from organic materials including natural waste and fast-growing plants, such as fruit stones and bamboo. At the start of this adventure, the founders, Paul Hoeve and Lay Koon Tan, made an observation: there was a general lack of interest in sustainability as a whole. When they founded Nature Squared, their aim was to rethink the notion of sustainable luxury in a number of ways: by giving new life to organic waste; by re-imagining craftsmanship and innovation; by providing practical support for local communities in the country of production; and by helping to create jobs and develop the skills of the local population.

24 years later, the company has worked on many prestigious projects with architects, decorators and designers from all over the world, applying their vision of combining craftsmanship, technology and sustainability on ambitious projects ranging from furniture and yacht fittings to private aviation, retail and luxury hotels. The variety of their projects is made possible by the bespoke design of Nature Squared surfaces. All the pieces are unique and handmade, from treating the raw materials to their finish, adapting it to their intended use. The choice of manufacturing country, the Philippines, is no coincidence either: “Our craftsmen work with us full-time in our own workshops in Cebu. We chose the Philippines as the location for our production because there is no waste disposal system in the country, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Our production also aims to support the local economy by employing and training over 220 craftsmen, engineers and project managers, as well as purchasing our raw materials directly from local communities. In addition, our policy is to ensure that our employees are well paid in terms of wages and benefits, including healthcare, and we are also firmly opposed to child labour.”

By sourcing their raw materials directly in the country where they are produced, the company is contributing to a significant reduction in landfill waste, while making it possible to create a wide range of products. For Nature Squared, all products derived from nature have value. Their material library includes eggshells and shells, seeds and wood, as well as more surprising materials such as feathers, bones and fish skin. What they all have in common, however, is Nature Squared’s core value: sustainability. •