Sustain + Ability
Five new sustainable design concepts
Timeless design, traditional craftsmanship, and modern technologies
Sustain + Ability
The “Sustain + Ability” exhibition brings together timeless design, traditional craftsmanship, and modern technologies. “Sustain” embodies enduring, circular solutions, while “Ability” emphasizes the expertise and creativity required to innovate responsibly.
Dutch Designer Basten Leijh unveils five product concepts that seamlessly combine circularity, sustainability, and efficiency. These designs leverage traditional craftsmanship alongside advanced techniques such as AI, 3D printing, and inflatable design, addressing resource scarcity and CO 2 reduction in innovative ways.
This exhibition demonstrates how the fusion of old-world skill and new-world technology can create sustainable solutions for a resilient future.
Sell Then Make
'Redefining furniture design'
This innovative sofa concept combines cutting-edge design with sustainable thinking. Compactly stored, sustainably produced, and entirely circular, it sets a new standard for how we create furniture.
When selling a ‘Sell Then Make’ sofa, only the frames need to be 3D printed in the correct size and matched with the length of the steel tubes. Then, the sofa can be assembled. This approach reduces the need for stock, as production (printing) only happens after a sale.
At its core, a 3D-printed base provides structural integrity and precision, while the upholstery features Kvadrat Febrik’s Myr fabric—a premium, stretchable textile known for its durability and elegance. The design eliminates glue and permanent bonds, ensuring all components are easily disassembled, reused, or recycled.
Thanks to advanced 3D printing and clever upholstery techniques, this sofa is as adaptable as it is stylish. It’s easy to assemble, easy to store, and simple to reupholster—making it perfect for a fast-changing, sustainable lifestyle.
Whether you’re optimizing space, updating your style, or prioritizing the environment, Sell Then Make delivers a flexible, future-ready solution that balances functionality, beauty, and circularity.
Materials
PETg (print), Ultraflex (PET fibers), Myr upholstery, Kvadrat Febrik
Sofair
'Air is everywhere'
Sofair revolutionizes design with the innovative ‘Air is Everywhere’ concept, blending style, sustainability, and smart functionality. Using advanced SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) inflation technology, we’ve replaced the classic wooden frame with a lightweight alternative that’s packed with advantages.
- Compact & Portable: Lightweight and easy to store, perfect for small spaces and outdoor living.
- Eco-Friendly: Made with 100% recycled MYR fabric by Kvadrat Febrik and (future) recycled TPU, reducing CO 2 emissions with efficient production and logistics.
- Space-Saving Elegance: Smart design that’s ideal for compact living without sacrificing style or comfort.
- Versatile & Durable: Easy-to-change fabric covers for both indoor and outdoor use.
Why is this groundbreaking?
Sofair redefines furniture and design by harnessing the power of air and smart materials. It’s a bold step toward a sustainable future – lightweight, practical, and beautifully eco-conscious.
Materials
Inflatable TPU, Ultraflex (PET fibers), Myr upholstery Kvadrat Febrik
Timeless Chair
'AI as a design buddy'
A timeless design at the intersection of craftsmanship and technology.
Designer Basten Leijh explored the essence of a timeless chair in collaboration with AI. Through various prompts, a striking pattern emerged: wooden chairs appeared as a universal symbol of sustainability. Inspired by these insights, Leijh focused on creating a truly timeless design, emphasizing three key aspects: a timeless aesthetic, traditional woodworking joints built to last for generations, and the use of sustainable materials.
In partnership with Amsterdam-based chairmaker Georg Gademann (www.georg-handmade.com), the chair was handcrafted using 100% natural materials, merging traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic.
The design is complemented by an easily replaceable seat cushion, adding comfort, refinement, and the ability to adapt the chair’s look to changing tastes over time. The Timeless Chair is showcased with a cushion covered in Myr fabric by Kvadrat Fabrics, a luxurious and sustainable textile. Additionally, the seat is also available in wool felt, offering a sleek and minimalist aesthetic without compromising on comfort. The wool felt is available in various colors, making it easy to match different interior styles.
Materials
Local oak or Paulownia, Woolfelt
Sustainable Wood, Timeless Elegance
The Timeless Chair is presented in two sustainable wood options:
- Paulownia wood, a fast-growing species with a high CO₂ absorption capacity, naturally dyed deep black with East Indian ink.
- Locally sourced Amsterdam oak, finished with natural oils to enhance its strength and character.
AI as a Creative Partner
This project highlights the role of AI as a creative partner—not as a replacement for designers, but as an inspirational, sparring, and optimization tool. The Timeless Chair unites craftsmanship and innovation, emphasizing the power of collaboration between human creativity and machine intelligence.
Baguette
'Timeless lighting by Hollands Licht'
Just like a baguette can be sliced to the perfect length, Baguette by Hollands Licht offers a flexible and versatile approach to lighting. Crafted from premium aluminum extrusion and finished with elegant cast aluminum end caps, this fixture embodies timeless simplicity.
Baguette is designed to adapt to any space and setting: suspended, standing, wall-mounted, or as an up-and-down-light. With integrated LED technology, it seamlessly combines refined form with modern functionality.
Materials
LED lighting, aluminum extrusion, and cast parts, Hollands Licht
U-tube
'Fun & Function'
Smart Design Meets Elegance
We are proud to present the new product family U-tube, Fun & Function, showcasing two exceptional designs: a chair and a bar stool, both crafted from steel tubing. These pieces embody the perfect balance between playfulness and functionality.
Minimal Materials, Maximum Impact
With a focus on sustainability and aesthetics, both designs make optimal use of minimal materials. The simple yet thoughtful construction highlights the beauty of pure lines and clever engineering, without compromising comfort or stability.
The ‘Rotating Bar Stool’
A standout feature of the exhibition is the Rotating Bar Stool. This design incorporates intuitive movement and functionality. The stool rotates seamlessly, with no visible mechanical elements (blind), offering a surprising and refined user experience. Come and discover how elegance, innovation, and playful design converge in this unique collection.
Materials
Steel tube, Myr upholstery by Kvadrat Febrik, Utraflex (PET fibers)
At Basten Leijh Design Studio, SUSTAINABILITY not only relates to the product itself, but also to the process that Basten Leijh enters into with the client.
By being an active part of the design team and coming to the table at an early stage, synergy is created within the company and connection is created. This promotes the design process, in which Basten Leijh monitors, manages and adjusts all parts of the process with a bird’s eye view.
In addition to a goodlearning curve for the client’s employees, this method provides a smooth-running design process, time and costs are saved and the end result can be celebrated together.
Photography by simonedegeus.com