Design Indaba 2009 is here – the conference is already underway - and, if rumours are true, the trend towards environmentally responsible design is more than represented at this year’s exhibition (get down to CTT this weekend).

Some examples of eco-conscious design you can look out for include: Koop’s furniture range made from alien vegetation by Richard Stretton, Drift’s range of furniture made from shipping crates and railway sleepers, Casamento’s resourceful use of off-cuts to re-upholster second-hand couches and chairs and keep an eye out for GIVE-IT-BAG, this year with shopping bags made from recycled food transport sacks, amongst other designs. Craig Jacob’s Fundudzi (we blogged about his range here) is back on the ramp with his newest range using only organic bamboo, cotton and wool.

Both 2007 and 2008’s Design Indaba saw a strengthened focus on... green, recycled and ethical design and this year’s should be even better. Despite the crunch, the Expo has grown and has 60 new exhibitors on the floor, and economic empowerment and social sustainability projects, such as Monkeybiz, Phumani Paper and Nuno are still in growing evidence.

Once again the exhibition is carbon neutral. Speaking to Mike Purdham, the team isn’t yet sure how they will offset this year (i.e. after calculating the carbon generated by the event, they’ll explore other avenues over and above planting trees) but they are definitely maintaining their pledge to reduce the environmental impact of the conference, and allow organisers to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Design Indaba is open to the public this weekend – 27 Feb – 1 Mar 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre:

Friday 27 February 2009 from 11h00 - 20h00
Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March 2009 from 10h00 - 18h00.

pic: Richard Stretton of Koop Design