ECOALF MILAN STORE

With recycled materials, eco-design, and a focus on circularity as the fundamental pillars for the project, we worked with Studio Urquiola to create a luminous and monochromatic space characterized by tones of off-white and contrasting organic textures.  

As an ode to the fishermen that are helping to clean the Mediterranean Sea, you will find 10 portraits of the fishermen that participate in the Ecoalf Foundation’s Upcycling the Oceans project. What started with 3 fishermen in a little port in Spain has expanded throughout the Mediterranean Sea across Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Our goal by 2025 is to work with over 10.000 fishermen from all the Mediterranean.

All the floors and the coatings of the furniture were made by Cimento, an Italian company that uses a carbon-neutral and 90% upcycled foundation derived from production waste.

The side panels were conceived by Kvadrat through the use of upcycled end-of-life textiles. All the walls of the shop are painted with Airlite, an ecological paint produced from 100% renewable sources that reduces pollution and purifies the air. Nagami Design study helped us to recycle plastic into curtainlike structures through 3D printing, a process that does not generate any waste and is completely recyclable at the end of it is lifecycle. HONTEXT® the light and innovative fiberboard that was used to make the furniture pieces is also 100% recyclable to promote circularity and reduce the store’s impact.

Every detail across the 80.80 m2 space has been carefully selected to reach the lowest-impact possible without compromising on design. The building itself is LEED certified relying on a geothermal energy installation used for its air conditioning. Allowing us to further lower energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions from the use of electricity in the space. The building is also WELL certified, which focuses on the development and maintenance of the well-being of the surrounding community.

"Working with the Ecoalf team was very stimulating, a conversation based on shared values. The store in Gae Aulenti recounts the commitment we both have in creating truly sustainable projects. We indeed have done a lot of research in order to find new circular materials and processes which respect both nature and human expertise. Through a language of sober colors and pure shapes the store expresses profoundly the personality of Ecoalf." - Patricia Urquiola