Metropolis: B Corp Residential Products
Published in the Spring 2025 issue of Metropolis.
There was a time when conscientious consumers felt satisfied knowing that their recent furniture purchase was made with rapidly renewable materials in a place that used environmentally responsible processes. But today, there’s much more to consider than just energy use and carbon footprint, whether it’s how the manufacturer treats its workers or if the company practices fair trade in the region where it operates. Fortunately, there’s a certification that makes looking for brands that check all the right boxes simpler. B Corp–certified companies are mission-driven businesses that balance purpose with profit. To achieve this third-party designation, manufacturers provide full disclosure of equitable practices on every front, from social to environmental. Here is a handful of residential products from some of our favorite B Corp design brands.
01 GIO &TRADITION Gio LN14 LN15
Inspired by Gio Ponti’s pared-down yet vibrantly hued Murano-glass chandelier and the glass craftsmanship the Venetian island is renowned for, Luca Nichetto created this modern reinterpretation for &Tradition. Gio takes cues from its namesake by stripping away ornamentation to form a minimal three-tiered luminaire with each component powder-coated a different color. As a subtle nod to Murano glassmaking processes, the conical discs making up the tiers are spun aluminum. The design is offered in two sizes and two color schemes.
02 ARMADILLO Panorama
As its name hints, this rug collection from Armadillo captures five different types of sweeping landscapes through thoughtfully orchestrated texture-and-pile combinations. Crest, for example, evokes tree-lined horizons with a hand-knotted herringbone pattern combining a high pile with a low weave, while Thatch conjures a more urban setting with precise Persian knots and a uniform light pile.
03 ANDREU WORLD Valencia Stool
Following the DANA storms that ravaged Valencia, Spain, last fall, Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola partnered with Andreu World, one of the region’s leading furniture manufacturers, to launch this hauntingly beautiful piece. The stool, which is 3D-printed using a biodegradable and compostable material, has a trunk-like form that appears as though it were hit by a force, evoking resilience and community with its interwoven texture. All proceeds from its sales benefit the affected communities and individuals.
04 FIRECLAY TILE Natural Press Ceramic Tile
To reduce both cost and carbon emissions, Fireclay Tile introduced this affordable single-fired tile series, offered in a selection of 32 curated colors ranging from vibrant hues to subdued and classic neutrals. The line comprises 15 shapes and sizes, such as standard subway tiles, large-format squares, and elongated hexagons. What’s more, Fireclay donates 1 percent of the profits on each square foot produced to a variety of charitable organizations.
05 ROOM & BOARD Lincoln Desk Collection
Recognized for its extensive research in human-centered design, architecture firm Gensler has developed an elegant sit-to-stand desk for Room & Board with a multitude of user- and tech-friendly bells and whistles. Think touchscreen controls, concealed cord organization, and an integrated hinged-lid power hatch, to name a few. Designed to suit both residential and workplace settings, the collection, which includes desk and console configurations, is available in seven wood finishes and three hardware options.
06 RBW Crepe
A collaboration between RBW and Studio & Projects founder and principal Little Wing Lee, also the founder of Black Folks in Design, this sconce plays on the translucency of glass, layering an opalescent globe diffuser onto a blush-toned or frosted cast-glass plate, resulting in a sculptural yet airy lamp. It’s available in three white-color temperatures and three sizes: 7.5 by 8.8 inches or 12.6 by 14.9 with a 5.4-inch globe, or 15.7 by 18.6 inches with a 7.9-inch globe.