Kreativno staklo Srbije

Creative Glass Serbia

Kreativno staklo Srbije

Creative Glass Serbia

Canopy collection: The queen of biophilic glass design

Deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Part of the Canopy collection, LSA International & Eden Project || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

Canopy collection: The queen of biophilic glass design

Part of the Canopy collection, LSA International & Eden Project || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

In today’s world of glassmaking, increasingly shaped by ecological awareness, the Canopy concept collection can be given a central place. It is the result of a creative collaboration between LSA International, a London-based design studio specialising in handcrafted glass, and the Eden Project, a contemporary botanical garden located in Cornwall.

Comprising 24 pieces, the collection is rooted in the principles of biophilic design, one of the leading movements in contemporary architecture and design. Biophilic design is based on the idea that humans are inherently drawn to nature – that we are, by instinct, biophiles. With the goal of enhancing physical and mental well-being, it brings natural elements into built environments such as homes, streets, public spaces, and workplaces. Through natural materials, such as daylight, organic colours, and plant life, it seeks to create spaces that restore our connection with the natural world.

The Canopy collection is grounded in botanical knowledge and scientific recommendations for preserving plant life and, by extension, human well-being. It is primarily composed of planters, terrariums, and vases designed for indoor plant cultivation. A smaller segment includes drinking glasses and a bottle-carafe, intended to promote the use of tap water, thereby reducing reliance on bottled water and the production of plastic waste. The Canopy planters support capillary watering, allowing plants to draw exactly the amount of water they need. The vases for cut flowers are shaped to encourage the growing of bulbs and other species that can thrive in water alone, without requiring soil.

Planteri i vaze, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Planters and vases from the Canopy Collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International
Vaze iz kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Vases from the Canopy Collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

Design Oscar

Launched in late March 2019, the Canopy collection immediately earned the iF Design Award, one of the most prestigious international honours in industrial design, often referred to as the design Oscar. This award recognises manufacturers who achieve not only outstanding aesthetic value but also meaningful functional innovation. The collection went on to receive the Green Good Design Award (2021), presented by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies (Dublin). Since 2009, this award has celebrated the most prominent examples of sustainable, innovative, and eco-conscious design. It serves as an evolutionary extension of the original Good Design Award, one of the world’s oldest design prizes which the Chicago museum has been presenting continuously since 1958.

What impressed international award juries about Canopy was not only its contribution to solving ecological challenges, such as reducing single-use plastics, encouraging responsible water consumption, and supporting plant conservation, but also how the collection is made. Every piece is crafted from 100% recycled glass, sourced entirely from post-consumer bottles and jars. The molten glass is shaped exclusively by hand using traditional wooden moulds, preserving artisanal techniques. Packaging is equally thoughtful – each item comes in a box made from recycled paper, printed with minimalist graphics using organic, plant-based inks. As a result, both the collection and its packaging are fully recyclable, completing a circular design story from material to end use.

Understanding as a core value of LSA design

The award-winning Canopy collection is very much in line with what one might expect from Monika Lubkowska-Jonas, the visionary designer and owner of LSA International, a studio founded in 1966. Monika is the creative force behind all LSA products, driven by a deep passion for design and handcrafted materials – a legacy inherited from her father, Janusz, one of the studio’s co-founders. The other co-founder was Tony Saunders, and thus the name LSA comes from Lubkowski, Saunders and Associates. Monika officially joined the company in 1985.

Planteri i terarijum, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Planters and terrarium from the Canopy Collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International
Janusz Lubkowski arrived in London in 1947 as a thirteen-year-old boy, together with his mother, after being deported from Poland during World War II, first to Siberia, then to Palestine. They eventually made their way to London, where Janusz completed his education and later worked as an engineer at the architectural firm Building Design Partnership. It was during this time that he met Tony Saunders.

Lubkowski eventually left his secure position at the firm, inspired by the buzz surrounding Habitat, the modern furniture store founded in 1964 by Terence Conran, which was rapidly reshaping London’s design culture. Noticing that Habitat offered only a few enamel coffee pots, an item that Polish manufacturers were already producing with great skill, Janusz and his wife traveled to Poland and returned with a suitcase full of enamel coffee pots. Conran was thrilled and immediately placed a large order. With that success, Janusz was able to launch his own business in 1966, today known as LSA International.

Seme vaze, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Vase Seed, from the Canopy collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

Thanks to the success of the Habitat partnership, Janusz continued to explore the craftsmanship of traditional Polish artisans, particularly glassblowers, who were renowned for their skill. Over time, the LSA studio became widely recognised for its blown glass products, and till today, most of its other pieces, such as porcelain and wooden items, are still produced in Poland. Although LSA International is often regarded as both a Polish and British brand, it has long been driven by an international team which, under the creative direction of Monika Lubkowska-Jonas, presents around 250 new products each year.

At the heart of LSA International’s global success lies a deeply cultivated culture of understanding – between artisans and designers, between people and products, and of the world we live in. All materials are original (for example, glass batches are not purchased pre-made but are crafted from scratch), and production is entrusted to artisans who have often collaborated with LSA for up to 50 years – new generations inherit not only skills but also the trust built by their parents.

Even before the Canopy collection, the studio had already earned some of the most important design awards. Over the past decade alone, LSA received the highly regarded iF Design Award three additional times (2014, 2017, and 2018), the Good Design Award twice (2016 and 2017), and the Designplus Award, presented by the renowned Frankfurt Trade Fair and Stylepark, also twice (2015 and 2016). Today, more than 5,000 retailers in over 100 countries regularly source, promote, and sell their products. The retailer network continues to grow, supplied from distribution centers located in London, Prague, and Boston.

Boca-bokal i čaše, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Drinking glasses and a bottle-carafe from the Canopy collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International
Panoramski pogled na geodetske biomske kupole Projekta Eden II fotografija: Jürgen Matern (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Panoramic view of the geodesic biome domes at the Eden Project || Photo: Jürgen Matern (CC BY-SA 2.5)

A collection inspired by a British symbol of hope and regeneration

Since LSA International specialises not only in glass but also in porcelain, its collaboration with the Eden Project – a botanical garden built within the crater of a vast former clay mine used for producing so-called china porcelain – comes as no surprise. The Bodelva clay pit, active for at least 160 years until the mid-1990s, played a crucial role in the development of the domestic porcelain industry. Thanks to this resource, clay no longer had to be imported, contributing significantly to the global reputation of English porcelain. Another, more concrete reason for the partnership lies in LSA’s careful approach to its own sustainability. Operating under the motto Designing for today, using traditional techniques from the past, without compromising the future, the company seeks collaborations with partners who share a deep sense of environmental responsibility and purpose.

Since its opening in 2001, the Eden Project in Cornwall fully embodies this mission. More than an impressive achievement in botany and sustainable architecture, it is a charitable educational organisation dedicated to exploring solutions for a better future. At its heart stands a massive biomes complex, including the world’s largest indoor tropical rainforest housed under a striking geodesic dome. Alongside the tropical biome, spanning 1.6 hectares and maintaining microclimatic conditions for a rich variety of tropical plant and animal species, there is a smaller dome dedicated to Mediterranean ecosystems. Surrounding these structures are beautifully designed outdoor gardens featuring plants from various temperate regions around the world.
The Eden Project hosts a wide range of scientific and public programs aimed at connecting people with one another and with the natural world. It attracts around one million visitors annually and plays a vital role in local economic development. As a powerful symbol of hope and renewal – transforming an abandoned clay pit into one of Europe’s most visited ecological centres – it has inspired the creation of similar botanical initiatives across the globe.
Jedna od pet Seme vaza, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
One of the five vases Seed, from the Canopy collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

Inspired by the architecture and living ecosystems of the Eden Project, all forms in the Canopy collection are either perfectly pure – cylinders and hemispheres echoing the garden’s domes – or organic, drawing on shapes and textures found in seeds, often imperceptible to the human eye.

The multi-layered meaning of Canopy

The English word canopy most commonly refers to a protective covering or baldachin, but it can also mean a parachute dome, awning, cabana, shelter, or hideaway. Its origins trace back to the Ancient Greek word κωνώπειον (konópeion), meaning “covering that keeps insects away.” The key function of all these lightweight, often temporary structures is to provide protection, sometimes even divine protection, as in India.

What makes the word canopy particularly intriguing is that it is also a botanical term. In ecology, it refers to the uppermost layer of a forest, formed by the overlapping crowns of tall trees. In tropical rainforests, like the one inside the Eden Project’s large dome, this layer is extremely dense, blocking 90–95% of sunlight from reaching the forest floor, and creating a unique ecosystem. While the lower layers of the forest often remain in semi-darkness even at midday, with high humidity giving a sense of perpetual twilight, the upper canopy basks in sunlight, providing ideal conditions for countless plant and animal species, largely undisturbed by what happens on the forest floor, the most accessible level to humans and predators.

Detalj jedne od pet Seme vaza, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Detail of one of the five vases Seed, from the Canopy collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International
Projekat Eden – unutar bioma tropske kišne šume II fotografija: Hchc2009 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Eden Project, Inside the Rainforest Biome || Photo: Hchc2009 (CC BY-SA 4.0
Thanks to its carefully chosen name, the Canopy collection speaks equally well to botanists and to a general audience. Botanists will think of the sunlit, human-inaccessible ecosystem at the tops of forest trees, while laypeople may first imagine a baldachin, only to realise that it refers to the Eden Project and the plant world that shelters and protects us, like a delicate, ethereal covering. It is up to us whether this canopy endures or disappears.

Recycled glass remains a material of LSA International

Nearly a decade before the Canopy collection, LSA International had already mastered recycled glass as a material. Their first collection using it was Mia (2010), and for the Spring/Summer 2026 season, LSA is set to launch another recycled-glass collection, featuring glasses, vases, and lanterns. Thanks to the application of additional glassmaking techniques, this upcoming line promises to introduce a fresh aesthetic to the world of glass.

Kolekcija Mia (2010), dizajn i izrada: LSA International || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Mia collection (2010), design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

We have close to 60 years' experience in the design and manufacture of mouth-blown and handmade glass. Understanding the properties of the glass and the craft that sits behind European glass production gave us a solid foundation from which to start working with recycled glass.

… One of our new collections for SS/26 will include a new range of modern recycled glass including drinkware, vases and lanterns. The new collection employs an additional glass making skill to create a new aesthetic – soon to be announced.

– Mark Jonas, LSA Brand Director, for Creative Glass Serbia, July 2025

Deo kolekcije Mia (2010), dizajn i izrada: LSA International || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Part of the Mia collection (2010), design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International
Today, products made from recycled glass are among the most sought-after, especially when they are handcrafted and well-designed. Yet many manufacturers struggle to maintain such offerings because sourcing post-consumer glass is a challenge in itself. To consistently meet market demand for a specific product, a studio must always have a sufficient supply of post-consumer glass of the right quality and hue. This is why beginners and small studios often struggle, while LSA International benefits from a reliable partner that ensures a steady supply.

We work with one dedicated partner who sources post-consumer waste from their local area. This ensures the quality of the material is always of a high and consistent grade. The supply of the material is constant due to the strong relationship of local partners.

– Mark Jonas, LSA Brand Director, for Creative Glass Serbia, July 2025

A conceptual collection as a development resource

Conceptually inspired by the Eden Project, crafted from 100% recycled glass, and complemented with elements of biodegradable cork and rope, the Canopy collection embodies ecological awareness. Through hand-blown glass and biodegradable packaging, its production limits industrial mechanisation, reduces the consumption of new resources, and minimizes carbon emissions. Through its design, the collection expresses LSA International’s sustainability ethos – progress over perfection – while also reflecting the founding principle of the Eden Project – transformation and regeneration. By fostering a growing understanding of our dependence on the natural world, it encourages people to transform the world precisely where they live.

Jedna od pet Seme vaza, deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
One of the five vases Seed, from the Canopy collection; design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

By studying the Eden Project and working on the Canopy collection, LSA International gained insights into numerous botanical discoveries that called for new design solutions. This led to the development of original, highly distinctive biophilic planters, such as the Terrazza and Balcony lines.

Along with our own research and interest in Biophilic Design. Partnering with Eden ensured we had a greater understanding of different types of plants and the benefits they bring to both the natural world and the built environment, inside and out.

– Mark Jonas, LSA Brand Director, for Creative Glass Serbia, July 2025

Saksije Terrazza, dizajn i izrada: LSA International || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Saksije Terrazza, dizajn i izrada: LSA International || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International

Inspired by terraces and green roofs, the Terrazza floor and table planters are handcrafted from clear glass and feature bases made of coated steel. The base is designed so that the plant’s roots, not just its foliage, receive the necessary amount of light. This impeccable design was immediately recognised with one of the world’s oldest design honours – the Good Design Award (2023).

The eccentric Balcony planters are also handcrafted, but made from two-tone glass, clear and olive green. They feature capillary watering – as the roots absorb moisture, the soil draws up more water, maintaining a stable level of humidity in the substrate. Biophilic planters clearly represent a major innovation in smart, sustainable design, one that the mass market has yet to fully embrace while LSA already holds an advantage with its award-winning products.

Saksije Balcony, dizajn i izrada: LSA International || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Balcony planters, design and production: LSA International || Photo: courtesy of LSA International
Deo kolekcije Canopy, LSA International & Eden Project || fotografija: ljubaznošću LSA International
Part of the Canopy collection, LSA International & Eden Project || Photo: courtesy of LSA International

On the other hand, the Eden Project has gained more than just publicity from the Canopy collection. It has also received an intriguing offering for its shop – expertly designed LSA planters and vases that allow visitors to become more knowledgeable and skilled gardeners at home. The Canopy collection is clearly a highly valuable conceptual achievement – a product that has become a resource for partners, enabling further specialisation and more efficient production of innovative products and services.

For trade inquiriesLSA International:
info@lsa-international.com

References

  • Cambridge Dictionary. (online). CANOPY, English meaning. Cambridge Dictionary.
  • Creative Glass Serbia. (2025). Interview with Mark Jonas, LSA Brand Director. Paraćin: Creative Glass Serbia.