Green Leap Temper and Grit

Temper and Grit

Temper and Grit is a multimodal design and fabrication studio specializing in creating custom solutions for the built environment. Established by Nicholas Volpe, Temper and Grit’s talent for designing, prototyping, and finishing has led to a diversified portfolio with work in the graphic, architectural, industrial, and artistic fields. Nick offers a unique blend of standard product lines, design solutions, consultations, and custom-fabricated installations.

Green Leap Participant

New Products Coming Soon
Debuting with Monmade — April 2023

Now with Green Leap, Temper and Grit introduces a standardized contemporary wall cabinet sustainably made from Bamboo plywood and manufactured by regional partner Eisenwood. Nick designed this cabinet for modularity, flexibility, and efficiency. He considered its materials yields and manufacturing efficiencies to reduce waste.

“Sustainability is integral to my business practice. To decrease material waste, I designed the product considering the maximum output for the board size. The product is also modular and can be adapted to various spaces. And now I’m engaging with regional manufacturing partners to help keep dollars in the local economy and Temper and Grit’s environmental footprint small.”

– Nick Volpe

To ensure the product’s sustainability, the cabinet is made from Plyboo—an architectural-grade bamboo plywood with FSC certification and LEED credits available; bamboo is a rapidly renewable material. Additionally, the cabinet is finished with Rubio Monocoat, a plant-based, environmentally friendly, nonpolluting, single-coat, durable finish; Rubio Monocoat contains 0% VOC. Temper and Grit’s finalized cabinet will debut in April at our our premiere Green Leap design industry event.

Green Leap Event Details

Lasting Design

We’re excited to continue Temper and Grit’s influence on our region’s design through the local production of standard furniture. Monmade’s project portfolio showcases Nick’s longstanding commitment to sustainable and enduring design.

sustainablyMonmade Insights 

Through our assessment of his studio and production manufacturing practices, Temper and Grit achieves three of Monmade’s six dimensions of sustainability: environment, climate, and human health.

  • Temper and Grit is owned and operated by Nicholas “Nick” Volpe
  • Producer designs for modularity, flexibility, and efficiency for every product; he considers the yields of the materials and the efficiencies of design and fabrication
  • Producer is conscious of his supply chain. For new products, he sources sustainable materials whenever possible. Frequently uses Columbia Forest Products, which are formaldehyde- and borax-free
  • For his Green Leap product, Nick uses Plyboo—an architectural-grade bamboo plywood with FSC certification and LEED credits available; bamboo is a rapidly renewable material
  • Products are finished water-based paints, sealants, and varnishes. He often utilizes Rubio Monocoat wood finishes, which are plant-based, environmentally friendly, sustainable, nonpolluting, single-coat, and durable; Rubio Monocoat contains 0% VOC
  • Temper and Grit’s Green Leap product supports the local economy by keeping the costs spent on materials, labor, hardware, manufacturing, studio time, and delivery all within 100 miles of Pittsburgh, PA
  • Producer is partnering with Eisenwood, a Penn Hills (within 13 miles of Downtown Pittsburgh) production shop, to manufacture his Green Leap product

Learn more about Monmade’s holistic approach to sustainability.