Profile: Rinu John Kattikkaran – Only Natural Design Competitions

Rinu John Kattikkaran

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN

My journey as a designer has been deeply influenced by both structured learning and intuitive exploration, allowing me to move fluidly between research, experimentation, and hands-on making. Design, for me, is not merely about aesthetics or problem-solving—it is a way of observing the world closely and responding with intention, empathy, and meaning. My practice is rooted in curiosity. I am constantly drawn to materials, processes, and stories that exist at the intersection of tradition and innovation. Working with craft, sustainable materials, and experimental techniques has allowed me to understand design as a living dialogue between the past, present, and future. I value the learning that comes from working directly with materials—through touch, resistance, failure, and refinement—believing that these experiences shape more honest and responsible outcomes. Unconventional inspirations play a vital role in my design thinking. Everyday observations, cultural practices, sensory experiences, and human behavior often spark ideas that evolve into thoughtful design interventions. I approach projects with a reflective mindset, questioning not just how something is made, but why it needs to exist and how it can contribute meaningfully to people’s lives. I channel my passion and creativity into designs that aim to push boundaries while remaining grounded in purpose. Whether exploring new material possibilities, reinterpreting traditional crafts, or addressing sustainability and wellbeing, I strive to create work that is impactful, relevant, and sensitive to its context. Ultimately, my goal as a designer is to create thoughtful, enduring solutions that resonate emotionally, function responsibly, and leave a lasting impact.

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HUSKBOND

Category: Furniture

Competitions: Home Competition 2026

The HuskBond Table is a furniture piece developed using a biomaterial made from coconut husk fibers combined with natural binders, offering a sustainable and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional wood. Derived from agricultural by-products, the material transforms waste into a strong, functional surface suitable for everyday use. Despite its natural composition, the biomaterial exhibits wood-like strength, rigidity, and durability, allowing it to perform reliably as furniture. The material can be processed and worked using standard woodworking tools, making it familiar and accessible to existing craft and manufacturing practices. It can be cut, shaped, sanded, and assembled much like wood, enabling the table to be constructed using conventional furniture-making techniques without the need for specialized equipment. This ensures that sustainability does not come at the cost of usability or performance. Rooted in principles of circular design, the HuskBond Table is created with its entire lifecycle in mind. Unlike conventional furniture materials that end up as long-term waste, this biomaterial is designed to safely decompose after its functional life. When returned to the soil, it breaks down naturally and becomes a nutrient-rich manure that supports plant growth. This transforms disposal into regeneration, allowing the material to continue contributing to the environment even after use. Completely natural and non-toxic, the HuskBond Table supports healthier indoor environments while reducing dependence on deforestation and synthetic, resin-based boards. By combining material innovation, craft, and ecological responsibility, the table represents a future-facing approach to furniture design—one where strength, function, and sustainability coexist, and where making and unmaking are part of the same continuous cycle.