Design that changes how we see the world: Tombino and ÖÖD

What if the most overlooked elements of urban life—like manhole covers and mirrored cabins—could become powerful tools for storytelling, connection, and sustainable innovation? In this episode of The Entrepreneurs, host Tom Edwards explores two radically different yet deeply connected design philosophies: Jason Lempieri’s Tombino, which transforms mundane city infrastructure into intimate, functional art; and Estonia’s ÖÖD, which builds mirrored cabins that dissolve into their surroundings, offering luxury in remote natural settings. Lempieri’s journey—from a student’s accidental rubbing of a Soho manhole cover to launching a sustainable product line in his Philadelphia studio—reveals how design can be both a personal passion and a global conversation starter. Meanwhile, ÖÖD’s co-founder Andres Stieg shows how a simple idea—glamping without the gear—evolved into a scalable, eco-conscious business model that turns unused land into revenue streams while preserving nature. Both ventures challenge conventional boundaries: one by elevating the overlooked, the other by blending into the landscape. Together, they redefine what design can do—not just to make things beautiful, but to change how we see the world. The episode underscores a powerful truth: innovation often begins not in grand visions, but in noticing the small, overlooked details.