Interview with BarkCloth | In our interview serie we ask designer and manufacturer to answer the same 6 questions about their company, their idea about design and sustainability and what is important for them.
Following the answers from Oliver Heintz, founder and managing director at BarkCloth.
About BarkCloth
The Ugandan-German family venture BARK CLOTH is pioneer of systematic bark cloth development and production, dedicated to the continuing cooperation with small-scale organic farmers from Uganda – since 9.9.1999.
The Barongo-Heintz family plucked up courage and went on their way to giving more functionality to the Cloth from Trees through state-of-the-art, but socio-economically and infrastructurally adjusted processes: Bark Cloth goes BARKTEX®. New, worldwide unique textiles and fiber composites are constantly developed and produced in our manufactories in Uganda and Germany – usually in low energy, partly CO2-emission-free processes. In uniting Africa’s sumptuous skills, ornamental arts and improvisational ability with innovative finishes, European functionality and a pinch of Zen, it becomes a global material.
What is sustainable about your products?
Ficus natalensis binds more CO2 than the handcrafting manufacturing process of bark cloth emitts. Therefore, on the production side, it is one of only a few materials with a positive CO2-ecobalance.
Which are the 3 most suitable adjectives to describe this and why?
Spicy, handcrafted, royal, grown without emissions.
What is the secret to your success?
Consistency, tenacity, intercultural competence and the awareness that suppliers are as important as customers.
What is it you like about InteriorPark.?
The authencity of the InteriorPark. platform and of its protagonists.
What is good design?
If socio-cultural backgrounds of the origin and production of products are reflected in their design and thus give a face to them.
What are the greatest challenges for design in future?
To reach attention for significant products without the need for carnival barking cheap showmanship.
More interviews:
- Nature meet Functionality – Interview with Troldtekt
- The “Four-Point Guide to Good Grip” – Interview mit FSB
- Thinking outside the box. – Interview with lasfera
- Retaining honest integrity – Interview with David Trubridge
- Good design follows 5 principles – Interview with Dornbracht
- Customized floorboards emphasize architecture – Interview with pur natur
- Good design surprises sustainably – Interview with MONKA
