Industrial and product designer Ada Matthes became interested in and committed to environmental and climate protection early on. The idea of sustainability also remains at the forefront of her studies and her self-employment: In spring 2025, Ada successfully defended her bachelor's thesis, which focussed on the potential and application of mycelium materials (root networks of fungi) in design.

Please be sustainable and stylish!

A year ago, in collaboration with designer Philippe Bietenholz, the "Bounce Chair", which can be produced entirely using 3D printing, and the "Galoppi" made of recyclable polypropylene plastic, as well as picture frames exclusively for Paul Kalkbrenner, were created.

The duo will present their designs for the first time at the Interior Design Days in Cologne from the 10^th to the 16^th of January 2025, and Ada and Phil will continue their successful journey immediately afterwards, travelling to Italy for Milano Design Week (Fuorisalone) in a restored long-distance and film bus from the 70s.

Further joint exhibitions and lectures follow. However, the two make it clear: "We are two individual designers who work independently, but support each other and realise projects together."

Interior 2.0 - "Frida" and the mushrooms

Ada is currently focussing on working with sustainable mushroom materials: the "Frida" mushroom beanbag is the designer's latest creation. The pouf uses mushroom waste as filling material and illustrates the bio-based approach of using mycelium material as an alternative to synthetics in furniture filling and product design. On the 20^th of May, "Frida" celebrated its launch at the world's leading trade fair for furniture production and interior design "Interzum" in Cologne.

Editor's tip: Visual impressions of Ada's designs and everyday life as a founder on Instagram