protopia collective

About

Protopia Collective is a forward-thinking community of designers, artists, specialists, and visionaries. As a co-lab at the intersection of sustainable design, art, and experimentation, the collective reimagines food, materials, and ideas through mindful and regenerative practices. It creates collectible designs and limited-edition products that inspire connection, sustainability, and sensory experiences, while building a vibrant community through immersive experiences.

Protopia Collective's philosophy is rooted in the concept of Protopia, which emphasises continuous improvement through small, positive changes that build a better world. The collective operates with a mission to inspire a deeper understanding of our relationship with the natural world, not just through the objects they create but also through immersive events that encourage participants to engage with their surroundings mindfully.

Contact
hello@protopiacollective.com
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Philosophy

Protopia means continuous improvement—small, positive changes that build a better world. It’s not about perfection but progress, driven by collaboration and sustainable actions.

Approach

Collaboration

We integrate diverse perspectives—product design, architecture, fashion, and food sustainability—to create holistic solutions.

Curation

Every member and project aligns with our values, ensuring a shared commitment to sustainability.

Outreach

We share insights through reports, exhibitions, and events, advocating for responsible design.

Experimentation

Pioneering new materials and methods, we innovate sustainable practices through hands-on projects.

Global Market Access

We provide emerging creatives with the platform to share their work on an international stage, thoughtfully positioning them in markets where their ideas can thrive. Through carefully curated exhibitions, we ensure that each designer connects with the right audiences and collaborators, building lasting relationships within the global design community. This exposure helps them expand their creative impact, allowing their work to resonate beyond their local scenes and into the wider world.

Limited Editions

Our pieces are both collectible and functional, celebrating the beauty in imperfection. Each design offers a tactile, sensory experience that invites touch and interaction, embodying a sense of tranquillity and authenticity. These creations reflect the natural world’s textures and forms, making each piece not just an object, but a moment of connection.

Focus on Food

We explore food’s role in sustainability and its profound impact on our well-being. By partnering with chefs, nutritionists, and foragers, we promote mindful eating, foraging, regenerative agriculture, and local food systems, underscoring food’s influence on our health and our connection to the natural world.

Collective

Protopia Collective is ever-evolving, growing with each event, exhibition, and project. We embrace new members who resonate with our core philosophy of sustainability, collaboration, and mindful design. Each new addition brings fresh perspectives and skills, enhancing our ability to shape the next experience, while contributing to our collective vision of creating a more connected and thoughtful world. Our community thrives on shared values and the belief that together, we can continuously inspire and innovate.

Founding Members

Heiter X
Robin Berrewaerts
Jo Nurm
Mari Uibo
Rait Lõhmus
Erik Merisalu
Tiiu Aruoja
Marit Mihklepp
Alana Proosa
Taavet Jansen
Johanna Ruukholm
Martina Gofman
Daanius Aas
Rickie Cheuk
Robin Pilk

Special Thanks

Ragnar Kreis
Shiro Muchiri
Luciana Magalhaes
James Malcom Green
Angelika Sofia Sapatšuk