Shaping Sustainable Futures Through Design
Our Philosophy
At MIO, we see design as a powerful catalyst for change. We’re committed to shifting cultural values towards sustainable and equitable systems, utilizing design, artistry, and science to address complex global challenges and inspire creativity across communities.
Our Journey
From a one-bedroom start-up in 2001 to a trailblazing leader in sustainable design, our journey is a tale of passion, innovation, and resilience.
Discover Our Story
Jaime Salm: Creativity Without Limits
Jaime was always the artistic one in the family, exploring every creative outlet his parents encouraged—ceramics, painting, engraving, carpentry, music, and sculpture. As a teenager, sculpture became his passion. He spent weekends scouring junkyards in nearby towns, removing the passenger seat of his car to haul home rusted gears, beams, and rebar—his raw materials for creation. With an arc welder gifted for his birthday, he transformed metal scraps into art, plugging into the clothes dryer’s 220-volt outlet whenever he had the chance. This was the start of Jaime’s lifelong journey in the art of repurposing.
Isaac Salm: Business for Good
Isaac was sharp, pragmatic, and always a step ahead. As a kid, he kept his growing collection of CDs and model cars in perfect order, untouched by his brothers' chaos. He had an instinct for business—spotting opportunities where others didn’t. During the holidays, he and Jaime repurposed the silicone packaging from imported chocolates into molds for handmade candles, which Isaac sold effortlessly. Navigating deals with older kids and adults, he quickly learned how to read people, anticipate needs, and turn ideas into action. He understood systems—how things worked and how they could work better. These early experiences shaped his empathetic management style and his talent for bridging ideas, industries, and people—skills that would later define MIO’s approach to sustainable design and innovation.
The genesis of MIO was marked by innovation, a bold vision, and a touch of audacity. At their first tradeshow, the Salm brothers proudly introduced their debut collection—thoughtfully designed, sustainably crafted, and unlike anything else on the market. When visitors inquired about their "green products," Isaac quickly realized that sustainability, at the time, was still seen through a narrow lens. People expected muted tones, raw textures, and an aesthetic that signaled eco-consciousness in the most obvious ways. Instead, MIO’s designs were vibrant, modern, and meticulously crafted—not green in color, but green in philosophy. That moment underscored what would become a defining principle of MIO: sustainability doesn’t have to look the way people expect it to. It can be bold, refined, and full of life. It’s not just about the materials used but about rethinking processes, repurposing resources, and challenging conventions. What began as a small, unconventional debut has since evolved into a brand that refuses to compromise between design and responsibility. MIO continues to push boundaries, proving that sustainability is not a limitation—it’s an opportunity to create better products, smarter systems, and a more thoughtful future.
The Hat Trick: A Lesson in Reinvention
A chance visit to a Philadelphia hat shop sparked one of MIO’s most unexpected breakthroughs. Among rows of felt and straw hats, the Salm brothers saw more than headwear—they saw untapped potential. When they learned the hats were handcrafted upstairs using century-old molds, curiosity took over. What if hats weren’t just for heads? That question led to a creative experiment. Instead of shaping the felt into traditional brims and crowns, they flipped the forms upside down, transforming them into sculptural bowls and lampshades. A single-purpose object became something entirely new. This "hat trick" became more than a clever design solution—it defined MIO’s philosophy. Rethink. Repurpose. Reimagine. A hat could be a bowl, just as a factory could be adapted for unexpected possibilities. Sustainability wasn’t just about materials; it was about seeing beyond limits. That mindset still drives MIO today—proof that sometimes, the simplest shift in perspective leads to the most extraordinary ideas.
Our Commitments
MIO’s guiding principle, Responsible Desire, makes sustainability something people genuinely want—not out of guilt, but because it enhances their lives. Through good design, eco-efficient manufacturing, and storytelling, we shift perceptions and values, inspiring choices that naturally lead to reduced waste, smarter consumption, and a healthier planet.
We source with purpose.
Material selection is the foundation of sustainable design. We prioritize mono-materials for easier recyclability and reduced waste contamination while sourcing certified materials like FSC-certified wood products, Red List-free components, and recycled or upcycled resources. Beyond environmental impact, we seek materials with social and ecological benefits, supporting fair labor practices, regenerative production, and waste diversion initiatives. By partnering with manufacturers who share our values, we ensure that every material contributes to a more responsible and sustainable future.
We design for circularity.
Sustainability isn’t just about responsible materials—it’s about designing for longevity, adaptability, and the full product lifecycle. Our products are intentionally crafted to integrate into industrial or natural cycles, ensuring that resources remain in use for as long as possible. We carefully match materials to their use cycles, balancing durability with end-of-life solutions that allow for easy disassembly, reuse, or recycling. By prioritizing modularity and material selection, we create products that not only last but also evolve with changing needs.
We close the loop.
A circular future is only possible if sustainable choices are accessible and intuitive. That’s why we focus on designing for disassembly, material recovery, and responsible disposal. We make it easier for consumers and businesses to participate in circular systems—whether through recycling, upcycling, or return programs. Sustainability shouldn’t be complicated or costly; it should be a seamless part of everyday life. By designing products with clear, actionable end-of-life solutions, we help bridge the gap between good intentions and real environmental impact.
Our Blog
When Acoustics Matter: Making Hybrid Learning Work at Penn Nursing with Acoustic Tiles.
Retrofitting Meeting Rooms for Hybrid Learning with MIO Culture Feltforms Acoustic Tiles In the wake of the pandemic, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, one of the country’s top nursing schools, found itself facing an unexpected challenge: echo and classroom noise control. As distance learning became an essential mode of communication, Penn’s team recognized that its meeting rooms, previously designed for in-person dialogue, needed an acoustic refresh. While the furniture and AV systems had evolved to support hybrid classes and teleconferencing, the sound in the rooms told a different story. Conversations were muddy. Echoes muddled understanding. That is where we came in. [products ids="quad-feltforms-acoustic-tiles, edge-feltforms-acoustic-tiles"] A New Kind of Clinical Precision We collaborated with the facilities team at Penn Nursing to retrofit several meeting rooms using our Feltforms acoustic tiles, with a special focus on our Quad and Edge designs. Our goal was to transform these sound-challenged spaces into environments where faculty, staff, and students could communicate clearly, whether in person or over Zoom. The result was a transformation...
Case Study: Confidentiality by Design – Custom Room Dividers & Acoustic Panels for Allied Beverage
Client Allied Beverage GroupAccounts Receivable DepartmentDesigner: Karen Harmelin The Challenge The Accounts Receivable team at Allied Beverage needed more than just desks and chairs to do their work well, they needed focus. Their department operates at the intersection of financial accuracy and confidentiality, yet the low height of their existing cubicle system didn’t offer the room divider wall or acoustic separation required for deep concentration. Enter Karen, their lead designer, who reached out to MIO Culture to explore options for increasing privacy without rebuilding the space from scratch. The request was specific: develop a custom solution that enhances confidentiality and focus, without sacrificing color, character, or budget. Our Approach While our core acoustic solutions, like Feltforms acoustic wall panels, Nomad modular room dividers, Quiltforms, and Shift Walls, offer robust performance out of the box, we knew this project called for something custom and unique to the Allied beverage brand. Working closely with Karen, our team created a custom screen extension designed to increase the height of the...
How Acoustic Panels & Modular Solutions Create Quieter & Healthier Workspaces
A Conversation with Karen Harmelin of Allied Beverage Group Introduction At Allied Beverage, design is about more than aesthetics, it is about creating spaces that reflect the company’s values and support the people who work there every day. Few embody this philosophy more than Karen Harmelin, who brings a photographer’s eye and a deep understanding of space to her role. Trained in the visual arts, Karen has taken on the challenge of shaping Allied Beverage’s work environments with a focus on both beauty and functionality. Rather than approaching design strictly from a managerial standpoint, Karen takes the time to connect with teams, listen to their needs, and understand how architecture and interiors impact their behavior and well-being. That sensitivity guided her recent work on Allied Beverage’s new headquarters, where acoustics became a central design tool. We sat down with Karen to learn more about her process and how MIO Culture’s acoustic solutions helped bring her vision to life. [products ids="quad-feltforms-acoustic-tiles, edge-feltforms-acoustic-tiles"] Q&A with Karen Harmelin Q: Can you...
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