Every object begins with a material.
Before form, before color, before function — there is a decision about what something is made from. That choice influences not only how an object looks or performs, but also how it exists within the larger systems of production, consumption, and waste.
For decades, modern manufacturing has largely depended on oil-based plastics because they are inexpensive, scalable, and efficient for mass production. These materials made it possible to create endless quantities of products quickly and cheaply. But they also contributed to a culture of disposability — objects designed to be replaced rather than lived with.
Today, people are becoming more aware of that relationship.
As conversations around sustainability, conscious living, and environmental responsibility continue to evolve, material choice has become an increasingly important part of contemporary design. Not simply as marketing language, but as a reflection of values.
At OBJ STUDIO, material selection is deeply connected to intention.
Every piece is 3D printed in Toronto using plant-based PLA (Polylactic Acid), a material derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane rather than petroleum. While no material is perfect, plant-based PLA offers a more thoughtful alternative to conventional oil-based plastics commonly used in mass-produced home decor and consumer goods.
But for us, the conversation goes beyond sustainability alone.
Material influences emotion.
The softness of a surface.
The warmth of texture.
The way light interacts with form.
The visual weight an object carries within a space.
A sculptural vase or planter is not experienced only physically — it is experienced atmospherically. The material becomes part of that emotional relationship between object and environment.
This is especially important in contemporary interiors, where people are increasingly drawn toward calm, tactile, and intentional spaces. Materials that feel quieter, softer, and more grounded naturally support this shift away from excess and visual overstimulation.
3D printing also allows us to approach production differently.
Traditional manufacturing often requires large minimum orders, industrial tooling, and systems optimized for volume. In contrast, additive manufacturing allows for smaller-scale production with greater flexibility and less unnecessary waste. It gives us the ability to focus more carefully on sculptural detail, organic geometry, and evolving forms while maintaining intentional production practices.
At the same time, material awareness is changing how people think about ownership.
Consumers are beginning to value fewer, better objects — pieces that hold emotional and aesthetic longevity rather than temporary novelty. In many ways, this marks a return to slower design thinking: creating objects designed to remain meaningful over time.
At OBJ STUDIO, we believe thoughtful design is inseparable from thoughtful material choice.
Not because sustainability should become aesthetic branding, but because the future of design depends on greater awareness of how things are made, what they are made from, and how they exist within everyday life.
Objects shape spaces.
Materials shape objects.
And those choices quietly shape the future.
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