One of the most common questions designers are asking on the internet is this: “What materials actually hold up in high-traffic interiors — and don’t compromise on sustainability?”

It’s a fair question. Because most commercial interiors are often refurbished at the end of the tenancy agreement; long before the life of the building.

And that’s what made this decision at Fonterra’s Southbloc reception so refreshing.

When Alexander from Designwell specified Critical.'s 30mm Marble Cleanstone for this project I was stoked because the materials were made from Fonterra's 100% recycled milk bottles. It's solid all the way through, no laminate layers, no edgebanding. And the story is...full circle.

Designed to last — designed to come back.

And the results are stunning while at the same time it will keep doing its job year after year — with less harm to te taiao.

This kind of thinking adds up over time.

Every design decision like this, every time a brand chooses to reduce waste or to work with a material that can be reused — it matters.

Shout out to the incredible team at Designwell for both your creative and sustainable vision - the story behind each level in this design is pretty next level!

And thank you Fonterra for helping to move the dial.

Curious to hear from others:

What’s one decision you’ve made in your design work that helped a client move toward circularity?

Drop it in the comments below!

I run a green materials company called Critical. and we help designers create beautiful spaces that save the planet using 100% recycled plastic panels called Cleanstone. If your working on a project, I'd love to help. Visit criticaldesign.nz and we'll reach out!