The Chic Ecologist

MetaForm Studio

I had the pleasure of interviewing Khader Humied, the founder of MetaForm Studio, a lighting design studio using reclaimed and sustainable materials for their magnificent pieces. Having been featured in home style magazines Dwell, Domino, New York Spaces and Natural Home Magazine, MetaForm is no stranger to praise.

How did your company get its start, and what made you decide to make it eco-friendly?
In 1998, I was working in Manhattan and noticing how corporations were throwing away furniture left and right during renovations and remodeling. I started off by picking up 2 office chairs. I removed the legs and attached them to a piece of plywood, and voila, a rolling coffee table with chrome legs (on wheels). From there I moved on to flower crates stacked up on the street in the flower district. The first one I found I put a bulb inside and instant lamp! After several years, I began using the wood from recycled crates as well as other wood from pallets and other items, and transformed the wood into slats, which I assemble into my current line of lights. The base line for my company has always been to find a function and use for materials that have been discarded. I am an ardent believer that using natural and sustainable materials is the only way to go forward and be kind to the planet.

What are your goals for the future of this business?
I would like to reach a wider audience, employ more people, and expand the line to include other designs. During the 10 years I have been doing this work, I came up with numerous ideas/products, some of which took shape as actual furniture. For instance, I created a Pallet Desk, made entirely from planed wood pallets (oak). This is really a testimony to what you can do with recycled materials. I also designed a Re-Tire rocking chair made from recycled car tires. Since I am an inventive person, I would love to get more of my ideas out there.

Are there any designers or artists that have influenced your style, where do you find your inspiration?
I am a long-time Frank Lloyd Wright fan, having gotten a degree in architecture. I also admire traditional crafts and local vernacular architecture and appreciate anyone who makes anything with pride and heart. The universe and the unconscious inspire me on a daily basis. Great ideas are out there waiting to be discovered. All you have to do is be open to receive them.

What makes your business eco-friendly?
We currently use only sustainable or recycled materials, mostly wood. All of our stains are nontoxic and we use energy-efficient lightbulbs. Our process of manafacturing is very clean and does not generate scraps or fumes. For example, our shop is in an industrial complex. All I have to do is walk around and collect wood pallets. Our other source of wood is sustainably harvested forests and the plywood we use is nontoxic.

You can find MetaForm Studio lighting installations if you happen to be in the New York area at IN Boutique and ReLish Restaurants, or just take a look at their striking website and order one online.

Related posts:

1. Stylish Sustainable Furniture in Tel Aviv – Ubico Design Studio
2. Repurposing & Upcycling – The Ultimate in Green Recycling is Reuse
3. Eco Friendly Reader Suggestions – Green Jewelry and Sustainable Furniture Design
4. Junkyard Tables
5. Remodel, Reuse, Renew and Restore with the RE-Store – Green Home Furnishings

Tags: Design, green home decor, lighting, reclaimed, recycled, reuse, wood

5 Comments to MetaForm Studio

1. 

   Khader Humied is one of the most committed persons I know and a great designer. His work is beautiful, and always gives a sense of hope for the future.
Tanya Torres on October 14th, 2008

2. [...] Light Metaform Studio offers great green design by upcycling wooden palates and other materials into lamps and lighting solutions. The light pictured is created by hand from a [...]
Repurposing & Upcycling - The Ultimate in Green Recycling is Reuse | The Chic Ecologist on December 16th, 2008

3. [...] Simply Wooden Rings – Sustainable Wood Jewelry Junkyard Tables – Vintage Automobile Hood Tables Metaform Studio Lighting – Green Lighting Design Beach Trash Sculptures – Necklaces from Discarded Rubbish Share and [...]
Eco Friendly and Unique Green Designs - Sustainable Jewelry and Furniture | The Chic Ecologist on January 26th, 2009

4. [...] Great lighting can really make a house feel like a home. While we tend to focus on the energy efficiency and design of lamps and bulbs, often we neglect to consider the actual electrical system in the house. Whole House Lighting Control System by Verve Living Systems brings a whole new element to eco-friendly lighting. [...]
Verve Wireless Lighting Control System | The Chic Ecologist on July 29th, 2009

5. [...] stylish and thought provoking designs, Ubico Design Studio has been converting reclaimed materials into works of functional art since February of [...]
Stylish Sustainable Furniture in Tel Aviv – Ubico Design Studio | The Chic Ecologist on February 2nd, 2010

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