The magic of wool
Witnessing melted plastic in the aftermath of a fire was enough to convince architect Stephen McDougall (left) that wool was the way of the future. “Everything was petroleum-based, from the curtains down to the furnishings and it was all just dripping. But the woollen carpet was only a bit charred.” McDougall is a founding director of Wellington firm, Studio Pacific Architecture, which promotes the use of wool for everything from insulation to furnishings. “Sustainability is now at the heart of all conversations. Wool is not just the best fibre in the world… it’s also the best fibre for the world.” Wool is natural, durable, renewable and biodegradable. In terms of healthy living, wool is non-allergenic and breathable. It soaks up pollutant gases and has naturally high UV protection. Furthermore, it’s a very effective insulator…