ZERO by Elli

The latest arrival from Elli Srl’s award-winning circular economy model, the ZERO collection, combines the use of recycled plastic with FENIX^® in an original, minimalistic style

Italian excellence underpinning the sustainable production of objects that last and evolve over the years: this is the guiding philosophy of Italian design start-up Elli Srl, which operates in the additive manufacturing sector. The ZERO collection - which took home the Sustainability Award at the Archiproducts Design Awards 2023 - uses recycled plastic and biopolymers with a minimal environmental impact to give life - or, rather, lives - to sinuous, functional objects using 3D printing. But ZERO’s sustainability goes far beyond simply ennobling plastic waste by transforming it into impressive works of design: delving deeper, the company also undertakes to reinvent obsolete pieces from the collection, creating a potentially infinite lifecycle for the materials used. 

As the brainchild of the designer and co-founder of the firm, Alessio Elli, along with his partner Alessio Frigeri, the project includes furnishing elements that boast a striking degree of compositional freedom. State-of-the-art technology meets the meticulous work of 4.0 craftsmen, resulting in a range of round poufs, dining tables and coffee tables with FENIX tabletops to complement the products with durability and elegance. 

Unlike traditional manufacturing, which crafts an object by removing material from an existing unit, Elli Srl uses what is known as additive manufacturing: a process which, thanks to 3D engineering, starts from nothing and adds layer after layer of material in perfectly optimised quantities, making for a production process that results in no waste whatsoever. Indeed, the name ‘ZERO’ was purposefully chosen as a nod to both the waste-free additive manufacturing process and the circular idea of infinity. “At the end of its useful life, each and every piece can be reclaimed and transformed into a new product. A shared concept of continuity and rebirth that also inspired the story behind FENIX: the phoenix endlessly rising from the ashes to take on a new form,” says Elli. 

So as to allow for every last part of the object to be reclaimed, the designer explains, it proved absolutely crucial to reduce the complexity of the design. The iconic design of the round, compact pouf provided the spark of inspiration for a multifunctional system of tables and chairs, all defined by their simple, sinuous shapes. However, simplification as an approach has not come at the expense of originality: thanks to the unusual texture created in the plastic, each piece has a structure reminiscent of an intriguing woven fabric. 

The combination with the extremely matt FENIX tabletops makes for a perfect match in terms of both the sustainability-focused mission and the distinctive, minimalistic aesthetic. “I first discovered FENIX materials in 2016, and they have had a special place in my heart ever since. When creating ZERO, we chose them not only for their durability - which epitomises our sustainable design philosophy - but also for their matt feature and the pleasantly soft tactile experience they offer,” says Elli. 

The sinuous forms shared by the entire collection’s aesthetic express the freedom of movement, versatility and cyclicality of each object. At the same time, the wide array of FENIX colours available - from classic options such as Nero Ingo, Blu Fes, Verde Brac and Rosso Jaipur to the more sophisticated Azzurro Naxos and Cacao Orinoco - elevates the creative value of ZERO. 

To further increasing the customisability of the range, Elli Srl is developing a new immersive application, again in combination with FENIX surfaces, involving direct creative input from customers, who can co-create their desired product. The materials used will also include smart bioplastics bound together with reclaimed waste, such as oyster shells and olive stones.