A studio of designers, creatives, and craftsmen, exploring furniture styles across geographies and timelines to create a new identity.
The Name
"Noku" translates to "Look," The studio invites you to take a closer look at its pieces and implies that each piece is unique and worthy of examination, just like a piece of art. Further, the name carries a sense of curiosity and exploration, inviting one to discover the details & craftsmanship of each piece.
The Philosophy
By bringing beauty and joy into everyday life, we invite people to slow down, take notice, and appreciate the world around them. We believe that Thoughtful craftsmanship and purposeful design are at the heart of creating these moments.
Rooted in a deep commitment to sustainability, we seek to enrich lives—nurturing skill, fostering innovation, and creating with care. Through this we aim to create a positive impact on the world, one piece of furniture at a time.
The History
The studio draws upon the sensibilities and ethos of Good Earth and expands it in a new direction. So to understand the studio and its work, one needs to understand how we came to be, and thus:
Noku & Good Earth
At first, there was Good Earth
In 1988, the core group of GoodEarth started its journey as part of a loosely-knit group of architects and engineers inspired by the works of Laurie Baker on sustainable architecture, ideals of Mahatma Gandhi on decentralisation and caring for the environment and the people.
and an idea
To evolve into a truly sustainable business that goes beyond numbers and makes conscious decisions with a deep awareness of their impact on people, ecology, culture, and humanity. With a strong sense of responsibility and care, they sought to uphold ethical values, prioritizing meaningful projects over greed. This materialized as residential developments that align with long-term sustainability, social well-being, and ethical business practices.
that grew, with branches spreading far
The first development ‘Hamlet’ was commissioned in Kochi, 1996. In Bangalore the consultancy practice started in 1994. So did the consultancy practice start in Calicut in the same year.
and wide
As a multidisciplinary organization rooted in holistic design, hands-on practice, and responsible business, we tackle environmental and social challenges through excellence in design, spanning residential communities, regenerative agriculture, and ecological restoration.
Then 3 years ago, the seed for the studio was sown
We decided to work with carpenters who had been with us for decades to create pieces of furniture that blended traditional knowledge with modern design
after years of learning and explorations
We’ve been steadily exploring, experimenting with design, materials, and form. Along the way, our work found its place in clients’ homes from the Goodearth projects.
Noku came to be!
And in the beginning of 2024, the studio was officially formed. We immediately started working on our first collection and opened up for a larger audience!