Alpine King Mida Alpi, along with the Campana brothers, are creatively reimagining the use of upcycled poppies.
Breathtaking Artistry Meets Sustainable Innovation: Agreste by Campana Brothers and ALPI
Yet another breathtaking collaboration between the creative prowess of the Campana brothers and ALPI, a pioneer in sustainable veneer manufacturing. Agreste is the result of this alliance — a stunning tribute to the arid lands of the Caatinga, located in the north of Brazil.
This design collection reflects the essence of the cracked, parched earth, interpreted through a textured surface that imitates the sight of the sun-scorched soil from above, with the cracks of the thirsty earth and the disappearing water. Agreste will grace ALPI's catalog soon after the Milan Furniture Fair, some twenty years following their last venture together, Pirarucu.
A Testimony to Planetary Conditions
"This time around," shares Vittorio Alpi, the grandson of the company's founder and CEO, "the Campana brothers aimed to express a poignant message about our planet's predicament. They proposed the design of a barren piece of the Caatinga soil, seen from above, with parched earth and water evaporating. In response, we accepted the challenge and responded with the utilization of 100% recycled material."
At ALPI's technical offices, every designer's creation poses a technical and engineering challenge. The exceptional and unique process they employ in Modigliana encompasses laminating, dyeing, drying, reassembling in a trunk, cutting, and re-laminating various types of wood, such as poplar, lime, and ayous, to create a perfect aesthetic copy of other precious woods or accept the appearance and color born from a designer's imagination. This innovative method results in a game of interlocking wooden panels without final varnishing, offering striking effects adored by designers, from Piero Lissoni to Nendo and Ettore Sottsass.
Agreste's Journey
"For Agreste," states Vittorio Alpi, "we employ waste from poplar lamination suitable for upcycling. The remaining scraps are provided to panel manufacturers for reuse. This policy aligns with the efforts we are making to modernize our plants and minimize emissions."
Toward Zero-Impact Forests
ALPI plans to invest 16 million euros in the modernization and digitalization of their production lines and the installation of solar panels aimed at reducing emissions. Moreover, they are reinforcing their policy of zero-impact use of the 350,000 hectares of ayous forest concessioned in Cameroon, employing two plants and approximately 1,200 employees there. The forest consists of thirty slices, each over 10,000 hectares, where a slice is harvested and replanted each year, creating a self-balancing, zero-impact system that resembles a clock, allowing the forest to be preserved intact. "Investments in sustainability continue even in the face of market slowdown and apprehension over US tariffs," says Vittorio Alpi. "We remain resolute in our commitment to reducing emissions and environmentally-friendly production methods."
Sources:1. Campana Brothers' Agreste for ALPI: A Sustainable Approach to Design2. Video: Campana Brothers Talk About Agreste at Milan Furniture Fair 20223. ALPI: Zero-Impact Forestry, Bridging Craftsmanship and Sustainability
- The Campana brothers, in their latest collaboration with ALPI, aimed to express a message about the planet's predicament through the design of Agreste, utilising 100% recycled material and a technique that mimics the parched earth of the Caatinga in an attempt to reflect climate-change.
- In the production of Agreste, ALPI employs waste from poplar lamination suitable for upcycling, in line with their policy of minimizing emissions and promoting a sustainable manufacturing process.
- To reduce emissions and furtherALPI's commitment to environmentally-friendly production, they plan to invest €16 million in modernizing their production lines, installing solar panels, and reinforcing their zero-impact use of the ayous forest in Cameroon, which is managed as a self-balancing, zero-impact system reminiscent of a clock.
