Description:

The Wool Hoop is a lighting range created to address the challenges of New Zealand's underutilized strong (coarse) wool industry while contributing to a more sustainable design future. Crafted from certified regenerative wool sourced from a single New Zealand farm, it champions locally sourced, biodegradable materials and ensures fair compensation for farmers. The Wool Hoop reimagines coarse wool—traditionally considered a by-product of the meat industry—as a high-performance material for interior lighting.
New Zealand’s strong wool industry, which accounts for around 85% of the country’s 120,000 tonnes of wool production, is in crisis due to low prices—often, the cost of shearing exceeds the revenue from wool sales. This project began with the aim of repurposing “waste” wool, supporting local growers by paying above-market rates, and creating a high-value, beautiful product that showcases the unique qualities of coarse wool. This design process was a small-scale experiment with the potential for larger-scale impact, aiming to purchase many tonnes of wool at a fair price in the future. Supported by a grant from the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, the development process spanned over four years of research and experimentation.
The design process was material-led, starting with sourcing wool directly from Palliser Ridge Farm in the Wairarapa. Early experiments included hand dyeing, hand knitting, and exploring digital weaving and whole garment knitting technologies. These hands-on tests led to the discovery that flat knitting, using local machinery, was the most suitable method for mass production. A unique yarn was developed in collaboration with Woolyarns in Wellington, overcoming the challenge of working with the thickness of coarse wool. The Wool Hoop’s honeycomb knit pattern emerged after extensive testing, striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality. The geometric pattern beautifully diffuses light while enhancing the acoustic properties of a space. Additionally, the use of wool fibre allows the Wool Hoop to improve indoor air quality by absorbing up to 96% of harmful VOCs, such as formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides, within 24 hours, while its flame resistance makes it ideal for lighting applications.
The Wool Hoop embraces the principles of circular design, ensuring it is durable, repairable, and biodegradable at the end of its life. The entire supply chain, from farm to assembly, is local and traceable, supporting New Zealand’s wool growers and revitalising local textile manufacturing. In a time when sustainability is critical, the Wool Hoop represents a new direction for design—combining beauty, functionality, and environmental responsibility. It sets a new benchmark for product design, addressing both social and environmental challenges while supporting the growth of New Zealand’s wool industry.
Beyond being a lighting fixture, the Wool Hoop is a commitment to material innovation, sustainability, and responsible design. By utilising undervalued coarse wool and ensuring a transparent, local supply chain, it promotes circularity and sustainability in both design and production, elevating an often-overlooked material to its rightful place as a premium design resource.