Brand Spotlight: LSA International: Who are they, what do they make, and what do they stand for?
At the Eden Project, we have the privilege of working with some of the world-leading brands in ethical design and sustainable manufacturing. One such brand that stands out is LSA International. In this blog, we’ll be shining a spotlight on their inspirations and practices that drew us to them as a collaborative partner. So, whether you’re already an LSA fan or new to the brand and want to know more, stay with us as we take a look behind the scenes.
Who is LSA International?
Glassmakers, woodworkers and ceramicists, LSA International are a creative powerhouse of thoughtful, unique and contemporary design. Everything they make places intentional emphasis on the importance of practicality and form, without ever losing sight of the beauty of design itself.
When was LSA International founded?
With fifty years of heritage, LSA International was originally founded in the 1960s in London by Janusz Lubkowski and Tony Saunders. A family business to its core, LSA still has Monika Lubkowska-Jonas, Janusz Lubkowski’s daughter, as their Designer & Creative Director, maintaining the unique vision that her father and Tony Saunders built as co-founders all those decades ago. The ideologies LSA built itself on in the 60s are still going strong today, with their passion for contemporary design backed by traditional craftsmanship remaining the focus of the brand.
What does LSA stand for?
Taken from the initials of the co-founders, LSA stands for Lubkowski, Saunders and Associates. With Lubkowski’s daughter still playing a leading role within the company, LSA’s ideals have been protected.
Is LSA a good brand?
Just some of the awards they’ve won over the last decade include the iF Design Award (in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019), the Designplus Award (in 2015 and 2016), the Good Design Award (in 2016 and 2017) and the Green Good Design Award (in 2021).
At the Eden Project, the Green Good Design Award in particular stands out to us as an indicator of what we consider to be a ‘conscious’ brand. Driven by a desire to contribute to the environment and create a lasting positive impact on the world, the sustainable practices that are maintained at LSA International are incredibly important to us. We’ve seen this first-hand through our own collaboration with the brand, the product of which was the beautiful Canopy glassware collection, which was the winner of the prestigious Green Good Design Award in 2021.
LSA are aware of the impact they have, both in terms of the physical space and resources and what they leave behind, and the social and economic change they have the power to bring about.
Head to the Canopy collection of sustainable glassware to see how our mutual love of design and respect for the environment have come together in physical form, or browse through some of our favourite product highlights below.
Canopy closed garden, from £50
Perfect for those looking to create their own self-sustaining Eden Project biome, and take a little bit of the jungle into your own home, the Canopy closed garden is suitable for growing your own mini ecosystem. Made from recycled glass, the planter is available in two sizes, and features a sustainably-sourced removable cork lid.
Canopy self watering planter, from £50
Designed to give plant-lovers better visibility on the the importance of water in any ecosystem by delivering the life-giving liquid through unconventional means, the self-watering planters available as part of the Canopy range are designed in two sections - the top for the soil and plant, and the bottom for the water. With a removable cork bung and cord running between the sections, water is steadily transferred through the layers and into the soil exactly when it is needed.
What materials do LSA work with?
LSA International have experimented with three main materials over their history, though experimentation and changing design have seen them expand outside of their primary focus of glass, wood and porcelain.
As a brand that actively strives to build transparent, sustainable practices, the materials they work with are a direct reflection of their ideals. In particular, their glasswork is all hand-designed using the traditional raw materials of sand, ash and lime, which are fired together and moulded through the process of glassblowing.
Is LSA lead free?
Yes, as part of their traditional and handmade practices, the glass made by LSA is completely lead-free, unlike the crystalline glass which is produced by the modern manufacturing methods most companies use today to mass-produce glassware. LSA also take their mission one step further when working on limited ranges, with both their Mia collection, and the Canopy range which was produced in collaboration with our team at Eden Project, being made from 100% recycled glass to help reduce the drain on natural resources and utilise what we already have in abundance, giving old glass a second lease of life and promoting circular production.
Discover the Eden Project X LSA International Canopy Collection
An award-winning range which we’re proud to have had a part in creating, the Canopy collection of LSA glassware was designed with the concepts of hydration and propagation that we foster in our biomes as the inspiration. From the Canopy closed garden planter, to the Canopy bulb planters, the range is designed to inspire more people to bring the wonders of the planet into their own home, much as we do here.
