The sustainable future of innovative design according to studio Progetto CMR

Founded in 1994 by Massimo Roj, Progetto CMR has established itself as one of the main reference points on the international architecture and design scene, while always remaining true to its motto: the customer comes first.

Specialising in integrated design, the firm was founded with the aim of creating flexible, efficient and eco-sustainable spaces and has been among the top 100 design firms in the world since 2010 in the BD World Architecture ranking.

Progetto CMR today boasts 12 offices worldwide and a team of over 150 professionals, capable of tackling articulated and innovative projects with a multidisciplinary method that combines technical expertise and experimental approach.

The Design division of Progetto CMR, headed by Giovanni Giacobone and Matteo Colombo, stands out for its ability to create products for both home and office that represent the perfect combination of design, functionality, technology and sustainability.

One of the collaborations that best embodies Progetto CMR’s philosophy is the one that was undertaken with Frezza to create the Be.1 operative office furniture system, characterised by its minimalist and cutting-edge design. The synergy between high-level performance, eco-sustainability and unconventional creativity that characterises Progetto CMR’s projects responds to the needs of a market that is increasingly attentive to the balance between environmental awareness and functionality: “Responsible design must first and foremost look at satisfying people’s real needs and increasing their state of well-being, energy and vitality”.

We interviewed Progetto CMR to explore some hot topics, including the evolution of modern design towards a balance between sustainability and quality of life, and analysed the obstacles and opportunities this approach entails.

Their words clearly show how it’s possible to combine innovation and sustainability, demonstrating that a creative yet responsible approach can make all the difference. With a focus on environmental impact, the firm’s values and principles show how architecture and design can contribute to building a more conscious tomorrow.

  • How is design reinterpreted according to today’s new lifestyles and sustainable consumption choices?

    Contemporary design is undoubtedly shaped by evolving lifestyles, increasingly centered on sustainable consumption choices. New generations view every human artifact, from mass-produced products to designed spaces, with a broader and more discerning perspective.
    They focus not only on aesthetics and functionality but also on sustainability, ethics and user benefit. Designing for future generations necessitates the use of sustainable materials, eco-friendly production processes and solutions, including technological innovations that reduce consumption and waste while promoting durability and recycling. Thus, products are not only beautiful and functional but also environmentally respectful and community-conscious, contributing to a healthier and more responsible lifestyle.

  • Nowadays, those who design products and services must tread the path of climate neutrality and sustainability. What are the opportunities and what are the obstacles?

    The opportunities presented by this new market approach are significant. Ambitious goals such as climate neutrality and total sustainability drive the continuous search for innovative solutions in materials, technologies, processes and logistics. These goals can inspire virtuous behaviour and even create new markets. However, there are also obstacles to overcome, including the high initial costs of developing sustainable solutions, resistance to change from many companies and the need for designers to continually update their skills. From a business perspective, evolving environmental regulations can also pose challenges in maintaining compliance and implementing sustainable practices.

  • How does eco-design evolve?

    A responsible design must first and foremost aim to satisfy people’s real needs and increase their state of well-being, energy and vitality. I believe that the induction of needs for commercial purposes, which produces the multiplication of objects and spaces that are in fact non-functional in their own nature, can be considered the first real enemy of sustainability: a useless and ephemeral product is in fact a waste of resources, both natural and other, whose impact on our ecosystem can only be negative.
    That said, the design of a virtuous and broadly useful product for our world must evolve towards an increasingly eco-intelligent approach, integrating sustainability criteria into every stage of the product’s life cycle. This involves not only using raw materials with a low environmental impact, such as renewable, recovered, or industrial by-products, but also designing production and logistics strategies to minimise energy consumption. It includes adopting the cleanest possible production processes and seeking solutions for products that are durable, reusable or recyclable to minimise waste and reduce discarded materials.

  • The recently approved new Eco-design Regulation sets the guidelines for ecodesign: what criteria were considered in this project? (e.g. durability, materials etc.)

    The new Eco-design Regulation is part of the broader European Green Deal, an initiative aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This regulation introduces specific eco-design criteria and requirements for a wide range of products to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.
    Key parameters include the use of sustainable materials, reduction of harmful substances and increased durability, reparability and recyclability of products. Other criteria address energy efficiency, such as the requirement for electronic devices to have an energy-saving mode, the adoption of sustainable packaging and the provision of information kits for proper waste management. EU Member States are responsible for enforcing these regulations and may set additional national requirements to further strengthen product sustainability in their markets.

  • Eco-design means reducing the impact of products placed on the market and considering their entire life cycle. The role of the designer is increasingly central in the sustainable transition of companies: how is this responsibility perceived?

    The responsibility that the designer carries with him is founded on the awareness of being able to create a better future for people: every object and every space we design is born to last and produces an effect on the user that imposes on us, at every stage of the project, reflections that are not only aesthetic and functional, but also ethical, social, economic and obviously environmental. When the survival of the planet is at stake, the pressure naturally increases. In this context, the creation of new normative standards provides a valuable reference point for designers, offering an opportunity to work more precisely and effectively towards eco-friendly design.
    These standards serve as an additional tool to seize new opportunities, guide innovation towards more ecological and sustainable solutions, support the industry in adopting ethical business practices and encourage responsible behaviour in consumers.