“It’s been said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but who knew dumpster diving could uncover the next innovation in green design.” GreenJAR.net had the chance to interview the visionaries and creators behind design firm SKATE STUDY HOUSE whom is well known among design aficionados and skate boarders, who have a taste for functional and effortlessly stylish forms made from re-used goods. Its not hard to respect and desire a the acquisition of aline that pays homage to both the skateboard and modern design.

Personally, I came across some of SSH’s (*SKATE STUDY HOUSE) designs a while back. I had noticed their chairs and benches made from recycled skateboards and immediately thought that it was a really smart and dope concept. Not that I know much about boards (despite living vicariously through my Tony Hawk play station players) but I do know that boards do take a beating and I can imagine that they have a certain lifespan. Instead of throwing away used and bruised boards, SSH uses old and defected skateboards from various manufacturers to recreate furniture helping to define a new movement within the skating culture.

Paris-born skateboarder-turned-entrepreneur Pierre-André Senizergues, whose company developed skate shoes like ETNIES, teamed up with interior designer Gil Le Bon de LaPointe, a fellow skater, to create the Skate Study House, often described as a quintessential California – skater cool, mid-century minimal, and totally green line. Both Pierre and Gil extended the wonderful opportunity to GREEN JAR to briefly discuss their work, the history behind building SSH, and it’s future as it succeeds in fusing design, skate-board, and eco conscious worlds.

GJ: Lets get right into it. As a California native myself, having grown up and lived there my entire life, in some way or another nature has always surrounded us yet I was extremely impressed by the originality when I came across your site. Now living in NY, I feel like one of the biggest communities that are void of incorporating eco-conscious decisions into their day-to-day routines is within street culture. Why do you think this is?  Is there something unapproachable about street culture?

SSH: Skateboarder’s lives are centered in the most polluted environment: the streets!

They are very conscious of their surroundings, growing up skateboarding in Paris I can remember how difficult it was to breathe because of the pollution. (Pierre).

I don’t think it is just street culture but society as a whole that has been slow to take necessary action.  Now each of us is forced to look more closely at our environment now more than ever. Street culture is including more green elements into its culture but doing it in a very unique and innovative way, which sometimes takes time.

GJ: How receptive was the skateboard, and particularly the design world when you first launched SSH?

SSH: It has been amazing with more than 800 websites worldwide featuring Skate Study House. The collection bridges the gap appealing not only to skateboard enthusiasts but the design and fashion world as well. Skateboarding is more than just a sport it is a culture that is very influential in trendsetting, merging this world with design and the environment made sense.

GJ: What struggles have you faced in bringing such a revolutionary craft (recycling materials, when design is so largely based off of creation) into the design world? And to the same extent, have there been any receptive attitudes along the way.

SSH: What makes Skate Study House so revolutionary is that as mentioned before it has mass appeal, it has been well received here in Southern California because the skateboard culture is so strong and many people grew up either skateboarding or surfing.  Its mid-century influence was very popular and inspired by the Case Study House from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Our interpretation on this with skateboards has inspired the design world.

GJ: The one California let down I have to fess up, is that I never truly learned to skate board. I can barely stand still on one. I fulfilled my duties as a California girl by staying true to the beaches, snow boarding and surfing, but never ventured into skating. Which has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most well respected sports (despite having begun as the underdog’s craft). Did you ever foresee this successful future for skating? And did you ever think a company such as SSH could be brought to fruition?

SSH: We love skateboarding and wanted to create something that we were passionate about and that we would want in our own homes.

Skateboarders by nature are very innovative, reinventing themselves and thinking outside of the box. We weren’t sure it would have an influence beyond the skate culture but are very happy that it has and proud of what we have created.

GJ: Typically what is the lifetime of a board? And where do you receive all of your reused boards from? Are there any athletes or organizations that specifically donate boards to you?

SSH: Not yet, that’s a possibility for sure, right now we go to the skateboard manufacturers and dig in their stock of leftover production: minor defects, old shapes (the trend in skateboarding is to change the shape of a deck anytime).

GJ: What about the idea of skating on eco-boards? I know that there are a couple predominant companies out there such as Element, Bambooksk8, Green boards, etc. that produce boards from sustainable foresty i.e. bamboo. How receptive are you and the skateboard community to this idea? Do these boards seem reliable? Do they seem to offer the same type of performance as other boards? Do you see a time when all boards will eventually take this mode of production into their development?  Are there any other eco brands that you endorse or use in your daily routines?

SSH: Those eco products are good, but it’s not the most popular with manufacturers currently. It’s important to experiment and try new things especially when it relates back to helping the environment.

When they develop the boards a bit more there is possibility we will use them in the collection. Right now we are focusing on the boards already in existence and reusing them to eliminate waste and prevent them from ending up in a landfill somewhere.

GJ: On your site, www.skatestudyhouse.com it states that “the movement of a skateboarder constantly changes — it recreates itself by transcending boundaries and inventing ways to conquer obstacles The movement of a skateboarder constantly changes — it recreates itself by transcending boundaries and inventing ways to conquer obstacles,” what role do you see SSH playing in the future? What can we expect from SSH in the years to come? Are there any collaborations on the horizon? Expanding the brand to the east coast (hint hint)?

SSH: Skate Study House started off as a side project and there is a possibility that it will expand in the future with new pieces and collaborations. We are currently looking for new ways to make it more environmentally friendly and give it a new organic feel. Stay tuned. 

GJ: How would you define the term “Green,” once thought as something taboo (and maybe still?), strictly limited to tree huggers and granola types? What message would you like to give to the younger generation within urban communities in terms of how relevant being “Green” is to their lives and the necessity? How is it not only cool, but easy and natural to do?

Green is more than a four-letter word, it is how you live your life and the actions you take however small they may be to lighten your footprint and give back to the environment.

There is a lot of green washing going on these days but us considering the environment in everything we do is more than just a trend, it is vital for the future of humanity and our amazing planet.