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In the quaint village of Lesvos, Greece, Koukos de Lab is innovating and combining tradition, sustainability, and modern design. Founded by Irene Moutsoyiannis and Christos Ververis, the studio specialises in furniture design with a particular focus on their revolutionary material—koukoutsi.
Derived from the biowaste left behind after olive oil production, koukoutsi is a commitment to sustainability in material form. The founders of the Greek design lab were inspired by the vast olive groves of Lesvos, where they saw an opportunity to turn discarded olive pits into a versatile and durable design material. The word koukoutsi means 'pip' or 'core' in Greek and pays homage to the primary component of the eco-material, while also forming the core of Koukos de Lab's innovative design approach.
Situated in the rugged Mediterranean landscape, Koukos de Lab draws inspiration from the fact that the people surrounding them remain deeply connected to nature and tradition. The duo's emotional connection to their homeland led them to choose a secluded village as the base for their venture. The studio was established in 2020 and their groundbreaking piece called the 'Lesvos' bench, crafted from the new eco-material, made its debut and gained widespread acclaim, very quickly. The idea reached international platforms, featuring in the 2020 London Design Biennale under its theme, 'Design in an Age of Crisis.'
Since the launch of the 'Lesvos' bench and the establishment of Koukos de Lab, the designers have seamlessly blended tradition with a fresh perspective on design. New releases, including the 'Coffee' table and 'Lesvos' stool design showcase the versatility of the olive 'core' material, boasting strength, easy application, and waterproof properties suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces.
Synergy has been the driving force behind Koukos de Lab's success. The collaborative effort of the product designers has given rise to a series of original creations that pay homage to tradition while embracing the demands of modern times. The design agency has become a hub for creativity and innovation, a place where everyone contributes their knowledge and energy to create something extraordinary.
Koukos de Lab's innovative use of discarded olive pits addresses the environmental impact of olive oil production. The material, koukoutsi, materialises as a solid board using olive biowaste, offering a sustainable design alternative to conventional materials. This eco-material is definitely a deliberate design choice, but beyond that, it is a statement that design can be both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible.
As the Greek furniture designers envision, koukoutsi is more than a material—it is a journey toward a circular economy. The process involves grinding olive pits into a powder and mixing them with plant-based binders, resulting in a wood-like material that can be moulded into various shapes. While the current sustainability level is between 90-95 per cent, the team is dedicated to making it 100 per cent sustainable, addressing energy consumption and the use of synthetic binders.
Koukos de Lab aims to scale up its operation both practically and conceptually in the coming years. The co-founders aspire to make their studio a 'lab of ideas,' where experimentation with various eco-materials becomes the norm. As communities worldwide shift toward circular economies, Koukos de Lab advocates for re-evaluating the usefulness of raw materials and reconnecting with local environments.
The Greek design agency's journey from a small village in Lesvos to gaining a unique European presence is a living, breathing representation of the transformative power of sustainable material innovation. By turning olive waste into design marvels, they celebrate their heritage while simultaneously contributing to a more eco-conscious future. By crafting new product designs and inspiring others to embrace sustainable practices, Koukos de Lab continues to forge the path of creativity, sustainability, and respect for the environment through design and material ingenuity.
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