Foresso: The London Collection

Trend report on Foresso's The London Collection written for Wabi Sabi: Store + Studio project.

CREDIT: FORESSO

"In nature nothing is wasted" - Erica Palmcrantz Aziz

Created by Foresso’s founder, Conor Taylor, this sheet material was made in response to the disposable interiors culture and the waste that is produced by mass-manufactured furniture. Using timber offcuts from the furniture industry (that cannot be used due to splits or knots), planing shavings from a local sawmill, and plaster waste from a local bronze foundry, Taylor has produced a material that looks like traditional stone terrazzo. “Taylor was inspired by the history of terrazzo, which was used as a way to repurpose leftover marble to make flooring, during the construction of Venice’s palazzos in the 15th century.” (Griffiths, 2020) The design combines wood waste, plaster waste, resin and pigment to create a binder that is then cast onto a birch plywood substrate. The final product is made using 85% recycled material, therefore providing a sustainable product that serves as a step towards a circular economy within the interior design industry. Used Foresso products can also be returned to the company in order to be recycled. “The company sources this material from local sawmills and uses it instead of stone to give the binding material a distinctive warm, textural detail.” (Griffiths, 2020)

CREDIT: FORESSO

The material comes in standard-sized sheets and can be easily cut to form flooring, tabletops, and wall coverings in both commercial and domestic settings. The sheets are sealed with a combination of biocide free, natural oils to create a durable, water and stain resistant finish.The range includes 4 different colourways, all inspired by areas of London, that use a selection of woods such as walnut, oak and cedar. “Like an evening with old friends in a Soho members’ club; Charcoal Mono is a homage to the dark panelled rooms of past centuries with its black binder and rich Walnut tones.” (Foresso, n.d) 

This material serves as an innovative and versatile alternative to traditional stone terrazzo (which has been a rising trend in recent years), and has a strong link to the products sold in the Wabi Sabi retail space, as well as the ethos of the brand. Foresso warns that “sheets contain natural materials and as such no two panels will be the same”, however, the imperfect and random nature of this product will further contribute to the ‘wabi sabi’ concept, and highlight the aim of the brand to value the unique and imperfect.