American designer Felicia Neuhof is set to showcase her innovative Buoy Stool, made from discarded shells, at the ENHANCE exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025.
Felicia Neuhof, an American designer dedicated to sustainable innovation, is set to unveil her latest creation, the Buoy Stool, at the upcoming ENHANCE exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025. This event, organized by DesignWanted, will take place at BasicVillage, Via dell’Aprica 12, Milan, Italy.
Inspiration for the Buoy Stool came from Neuhof’s experiences and observations of the Rhode Island coastal landscape, specifically the unique tidal zones. “There’s something honest about letting these local materials speak for themselves,” Neuhof stated, reflecting on the connection between her creations and the vibrant colors and stories inherent in the shells she repurposes.
Neuhof’s design philosophy centers on transforming discarded materials into new, usable forms, which originated from her early reflections on the abundance of shells left unused after meals. Speaking to DesignWanted, she remarked, “Our sustainable future lies in recognizing the overlooked potential in what already exists, not just creating new materials.” This belief guided her to establish her design venture, Shellf Life, where she aims to divert waste from landfills while creatively reusing it.
Growing up on a family farm in rural Woodstock, Vermont, Neuhof developed a deep appreciation for nature, which strongly influences her design work. She contrasts the frugality of rural life with the impermanence of commercial design, suggesting that her observations about material reuse were instrumental in shaping her approach to design.
The Buoy Stool, made entirely from discarded shells, showcases the “dynamic presence” and diverse hues of the materials involved. Neuhof highlighted how the shell’s natural colors speak for themselves, eliminating the need for artificial colorants. Different species, such as oysters and clams, contribute their own unique shades to the final product.
Describing her creative process, Neuhof emphasized the experimentation involved in material development. “Anything that didn’t work for one application could be reincorporated into the next batch,” she explained. Her approach fosters a mindset where failures are seen as opportunities for future iterations, pushing her work toward a more empathetic and responsive design practice.
Additionally, her work captures carbon during processing, emulating natural calcification processes. This innovative method underscores her commitment to sustainability and serves as a pivotal aspect of her manufacturing process. The Buoy Stool—and her broader design ethos—aims to challenge conventional perceptions of sustainable design, showcasing that functional items can also be aesthetically appealing.
Neuhof collaborates with fellow designer Samuel Aguirre on the Shellf Life Chair, another product that merges meticulous craftsmanship with material exploration. She envisions Shellf Life as a holistic model that connects various stakeholders, including restaurants, architectural practices, and coastal communities, in a mutually beneficial ecosystem.
The anticipation for Neuhof’s Buoy Stool marks a significant milestone in her evolving journey within the design world, reinforcing her belief in the storytelling capacity of materials. Her goal is to create objects that resonate with people and reveal their healing potential in a world often dominated by unsustainable practices. The Buoy Stool will make its public debut at the ENHANCE exhibition during Milan Design Week in 2025, showcasing the intersection of design, sustainability, and local culture that Neuhof embodies through her innovative work.
Source: Noah Wire Services
