Conifer Homewares began as a small COVID-era side project for industrial designer Evan McDougall—a way to create and give form more intentionally as he wrestled with the environmental impact of the consumer-electronics work he was doing for his day job.
Sustainability is “at the core of everything Conifer does,” explains McDougall. Not only are his self-draining, 3D-printed planters made from plant-based materials, but scraps and misprints are also collected and shipped to Alberni Valley Makerspace, a not-for-profit 3D-printing and maker community hub on Vancouver Island. There, they are melted down into sheet material and turned into new products that help fund programs at the space. Similarly, empty material spools are sent to Victoria’s Matter3D for reuse.
Much like the plants that grow in Conifer’s thoughtfully designed pots, McDougall’s venture quickly blossomed. Today, it’s his full-time gig, and his team runs 50 printers around the clock from its East Vancouver studio.
The planters can be found on shelves at local design shops like Vancouver Special and Walrus, and abroad at the MoMA Design Store in New York.
“Seeing my small Vancouver brand alongside ones I have admired my whole career in Manhattan was something special,” he says. “It was one of those moments that made all the risk and iteration feel worth it.”
coniferhomewares.com
We Love Local
A few of Evan McDougall’s favourite shopping spots and homegrown brands.
ANIÁN
2149 W 4th Ave.
anianmfg.com
“ANIÁN feels like Vancouver in clothing form. Their pieces are made for Vancouver’s damp, grey days and keep you warm through long rainy winters. I love their commitment to circular design because it proves that sustainability can still feel beautiful, durable and timeless.”
Tiko Kerr
“Growing up, seeing Tiko’s art career unfold in Vancouver made the idea of building a life as a creative feel real and attainable. His path is a quiet but powerful example that you can commit to your practice, stay rooted in this city and make meaningful work over decades.”
Walrus
3408 Cambie St.
walrushome.com
“Walrus is one of my favourite places to send people for gifts. Caroline and Daniel have built a space that feels warm, personal and beautifully edited. It is small, but every object has intention.”
Inform
50 Water St.
inform.ca
“Inform feels like a design museum you can actually move through. This is where I bring my industrial design friends who come to visit.”
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