Arper Design Stories

In this episode, we explore how design can challenge existing models of measurement. Our Sustainability Manager Michela Possagno speaks with Sara Gransinigh, researcher at the University of Piemonte Orientale and sustainability consultant at Greenstep Innovation and Sustainability, and IPLUS Senior Consultant Nicola Fabbri about Catifa Carta — our iconic chair reimagined in PaperShell with a carbon-negative shell — and how to measure an innovation that goes beyond today’s standards.Through an open consultation with independent experts, we examined how to evaluate the life cycle of a truly pioneering material, inviting transparent and rigorous dialogue across disciplines. The conversation delves into biochar, pyrolysis, and the limits of current LCA/EPD rules, showing how Catifa Carta’s life cycle becomes a case study in innovation, transparency, and collaboration — one that could mark a turning point for the entire design sector. Download the Catifa Carta open LCA white paper on arper.com.

In this episode, we revisit ⁠Material Matters, the UK fair that unites global brands, designers, makers, and manufacturers to discuss the future of materials and design. The conversation focuses on how design can support the circular economy and how manufacturers are responding to environmental challenges through research and innovative material choices.Barbara Cafagna, Marketing Manager at Arper UK, moderates a thoughtful discussion with Chris Webb, Head of Sustainability, and Lucy Bagshaw, Project Director at ⁠tp bennett⁠, a global architecture and design firm committed to sustainable practice. They are joined by Andrea Mulloni, Head of Sustainability at ⁠Arper⁠, continuing the dialogue begun at last year’s edition of Material Matters.Together, they reflect on the power of collaboration, the role of research, and the promise of material innovation in shaping a more responsible and beautiful future for design.Learn more at ⁠arper.com

Redefining Beauty is our intention — more than appearance, it’s a profound responsibility toward people and the planet. It’s a continuous pursuit: exploring new materials, developing innovative solutions, and rethinking processes.Last year, with Catifa Carta, we introduced PaperShell — a material innovation that redefined not just a product, but our way of thinking. That was just the beginning.Today, at Salone del Mobile 2025, we continue this journey.In this episode of a new series dedicated to exploring how redefining beauty can shape a more conscious future, we discuss our approach to developing circular solutions — from the reinterpretation of our iconic collection Catifa (RE) 46 in 100% recycled plastic, to new applications of PaperShell.Joining us are Anders Breitholtz, CEO and founder of PaperShell; Andrea Mulloni, Head of Sustainability; and Nicolò Fanzago, Head of Product Design at Arper — sharing their perspectives on how sustainability and design converge through circular materials and responsible production.

We explore this connection with Giulio Feltrin, Managing Director of the Arper Feltrin Foundation, and former resident artists at Villa Filanda Antonini — Priss Niinikoski, Xiao Zhiyu, Davide Ronco.Together, we discuss how the VFA residency program —Arper Feltrin Foundation’s inaugural project, conceived, founded, and launched by Eliisa Korpijärvi and Giulio Feltrin — bridges contemporary art, design, and architecture, shaping a dynamic, sustainable future for art and culture.​ Learn more about the Arper Feltrin Foundation and the VFA Artist Residency Program at arper.com

We invite you to discover the Arper Feltrin Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 by Claudio, Mauro, and Giulio Feltrin with a mission to foster connections between contemporary art, design, and architecture through transdisciplinary dialogue, the Foundation is a space for cultural experimentation independent, yet in continuous creative exchange with Arper.​This commitment comes to life through key initiatives such as the Arper Archive, which collects and interprets the company’s history, and Villa Filanda Antonini, home to the Foundation’s artist residency program.  ​Join us for a conversation with Claudio Feltrin, Giulio Feltrin, Giulia Mela, and Marco Benvegnù as we explore how the Archive safeguards Arper’s legacy, nurtures a shared culture, and strengthens the connection between its local roots and the global cultural landscape.The conversation is held in Italian.Learn more about the Arper Feltrin Foundation and Villa Filanda Antonini - artist residency at arper.com and vfa.art

2024 has been a journey of exploration and transformation for Arper, marked by milestones that deeply reflect our vision and values. From the debut of Catifa Carta at the Salone del Mobile in Milan to the release of our second Sustainability Report, we have embraced innovation and responsibility, staying true to our commitment to creating sustainable, harmonious, and human-centered spaces. In this special episode, our AI hosts revisit the defining moments of 2024—a year when AI became an integral part of daily life, reshaping how we think, work, and create—offering a playful yet thoughtful reflection on experimentation and progress, while celebrating the possibilities of technology alongside enduring values like care, connection, and curiosity.Learn more at arper.com

In this episode, recorded from our Dubai showroom, we are talking to Justine Welch, Regional Sales Director for Middle East and India market and her guests - Pritika Raja, Interior Designer at Say Studio, Dragana Cemalovic, Senior Associate at Bluehaus Group and Paolo Caratelli, Interior Design Program Leader at Istituto Marangoni -, about the role of color and material in transforming the feeling and redefining the experience of spaces. ​Tune in to the conversation on how the interaction between materials and colors, through their sensory, psychological, and innovative potential, shapes meaningful environments—especially in Dubai, an area where cultures, religions, ages, and backgrounds intersect.​Learn more at arper.com

At the opening of our showroom in Stockholm, we invited Emma Olbers, product designer and sustainability strategist, and Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder at Scandinavian MIND, to join our panel conversation on circular design and our Catifa Carta project.​Tune in to their conversation with our Head of Communications Stefania Zamuner, where they explore their perspectives on material innovation and circular design in the Scandinavian design industry.​Learn more at ⁠⁠arper.com​

Connecting with the new generation to shape ideas that respond to evolving needs is part of our mission. In this new episode of Arper Design Stories, we dive into what Generation Z seeks in design. What do young people look for in a product?What values shape their choices? What are their expectations, and how do they see the concept of beauty evolving?We spoke with a group of students who, during their summer internship with us, shared their vision of design, aesthetics, and innovation, offering valuable insights into the desires and expectations of a generation increasingly mindful of sustainability and authenticity.The conversation is held in Italian.Learn more at ⁠⁠arper.com

What’s the impact of the new Catifa Carta chair in Arper’s journey towards a circular economy and how is the project helping the company meet the growing demand for sustainability within the industry ?  How is Arper redefining beauty through this sustainable living project? We tried to answer these questions with three of Catifa Carta’s project leaders: Stefania Zamuner, Head of Communications, Alberto Pinos, Regional Head of Sales, and Andrea Mulloni, Head of Sustainability, who we interviewed in Milan during last April's Salone del Mobile.The conversation is held in Italian.Learn more about Arper and Catifa Carta at arper.com