Connecting Natural Fibers and Territories Through Design

This paper presents the research project Circular Design for Natural Fibers (CD4NF), which promotes the transition towards Circular Economy practices in Made in Italy productions across the furniture, textile, and construction sectors, focusing on the use of natural fibers derived from the Italian agroindustrial system. The study explores how the development of new bio-based materials and products—framed within sustainability principles and aligned with Circular Economy and Circular Design approaches—represents a dynamic area of debate for the design discipline, raising critical questions around technologies, contexts, and development paths. The paper also illustrates the design-driven methodology adopted in the project, particularly in the application of systemic design to the cases of bamboo and hemp, and discusses its integration with contributions from other disciplines. Finally, it emphasizes the connection between local supply chains and their territories, understood not only as productive ecosystems but also as expressions of cultural heritage, thereby enhancing the value of Made in Italy design.