Tag Archives: cardboard

Cardboard planks create an atmospheric lamp set that pays tribute to dusk

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There are many metaphors and analogies related to dawn when the rising of the sun is often compared to new beginnings or opportunities to begin anew. Dusk, however, is just as magical a time as its polar opposite, when the light of the sun is all but spent but lingers every so briefly before giving way to the restful night. For many people, it is a calming moment that signals the end of a busy day and the start of a period of reflection and peace. That is the soothing atmosphere that this set of mood lamps tries to convey, and they do so in the most minimalist way possible using nothing more than a few pieces of regular cardboard.

Designer: Óscar Santos

Cardboard is a material that’s so common that it’s too easily taken for granted. It’s stiffer than paper but less durable than wood, so it’s often used for packaging that’s meant to just be thrown away. It’s a complete waste, of course, especially when the pieces of cardboard are still pristine, but there are few known uses for them outside of breaking them down and recycling them like paper, which also consumes water and energy. Fortunately, there are also a few creative souls who want to give cardboard a chance, like this collection of lamps that take advantage of cardboard’s natural properties.

CENIT, which means “zenith” in Spanish, is a group of three atmospheric luminaries inspired by the highest point of the sun just before nightfall, the dusk that heralds the transition of light into darkness. Rather than use a light source that has to be mixed with the right color temperature in intensity, these lamps simply rely on how cardboard actually naturally reflects and diffuses light in a warm tone and soft brightness. No additional parts are needed, no filters or other materials: just a normal white LED strip and two pieces of cardboard with a certain gap between them.

This super-simple configuration creates an equally simple design that makes it easy for CENIT to blend almost anywhere. The wall lamp is just two long capsule-shaped pieces of cardboard with the larger serving as the base and the smaller hiding the light elements behind it. The desk lamp is a bit more decorative, with the two pieces set on a rectangular stand. On the other hand, the pendant light offers more flexibility, as the smaller cardboard with the LED or bulb can be turned to face away from the other cardboard piece and toward any area that needs more direct and brighter illumination.

The minimalist design also makes the lamps very sustainable, replacing only the parts that get worn down or broken. Given how many cardboard boxes are discarded every day, there will be no shortage of materials to use for replacements or new lamps. It’s a very interesting and poetic design that is able to set the mood and atmosphere in a room almost like magic, just as dusk paints the sky with an enchanting hue before the mystical darkness of the night sets in.

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‘Is it cardboard?”: Ceramic art blurs line between perception and reality

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One of the most popular reality game shows on Netflix is “Is It Cake?” where the contestants have to recreate common objects and then trick the judges into guessing if it’s cake or not. It’s fun seeing all of these ordinary, every day things recreated as cakes and it’s also a good reminder that not everything is as it seems. This art experiment by Jacques Monneraud is of the same idea as the game show but this time it uses something even more ordinary and turns it into an extraordinary collection.

Designer: Jacques Monneraud

The Cardboard collection recreates some common household items like pitchers and vaes into ceramic art. What makes this different from others though is that the they were made from clay but made to look like cardboard. It is basically a statement of “mockery of overproduction and overconsumption” but it is also something that people can actually use if they need something unique on their dining tables and living rooms.

The designer wanted to maintain the texture and visual characteristics of cardboard while at the same time retaining the ceramic properties of the items. The basic idea of the design is to make it look simple enough, like three pieces of cardboard + two pieces of tape makes a pitcher. He had to blend three distinct stonewares for the main body while the tape-like item was crafted from glaze.

If I just saw a photo of these items without knowing the context, I really would have been fooled that they were made from cardboard. Monneraud wants viewers to actually think about how perception and reality can be inextricably linked and is more complex than just the surface. While cardboard is normally a disposable object, the designer believes his work can actually last for more than 3,000 years.

The post ‘Is it cardboard?”: Ceramic art blurs line between perception and reality first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cuna Furniture Upcycles Your TV Box Into Sustainable Multifunctional Furniture

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Innovative design often emerges from the desire to solve a problem, and the Cuna furniture collection is a perfect example of this principle. Created as a solution to repurpose cardboard, Cuna is an eco-friendly piece of furniture that is cleverly designed, a multifunctional piece that redefines the concept of sustainability and functionality.

Designer: Valeria CoelloCrafted from cardboard, a material readily available in most households, it is a testament to the idea that there is latent potential in what we often consider to be “waste.” Think about the sheer volume of cardboard boxes that accompany the gadgets, appliances, and packages we receive daily. Rather than relegating this cardboard to landfills, Cuna repurposes it, offering an ingenious solution that is as practical as it is environmentally friendly.

Created from just two sheets of sturdy cardboard joined by five additional pieces, the bench offers a unique aesthetic and DIY experience. It’s a lovely DIY experience that allows one to build a connection with their masterpiece. The brilliance actually lies in the simplicity of its design. By utilizing the principles of joinery, the pieces interlock without the need for screws or adhesives, forming a structure that is remarkably sturdy and surprisingly lightweight.

The genius of the Cuna bench lies in its versatility. When assembled, it can be used in two different ways, depending on the user’s needs. In its standard configuration, it offers a beautifully curved seating area for one person. However, flip it upside down, and an additional layer of cardboard transforms it into a conventional flat bench, capable of potentially seating an extra person. This dual-purpose functionality extends further; the flat-top version can also serve as a table. With two of these benches, you have a complete set—a low table and chairs—perfect for various settings, from hosting parties to day-to-day living.

Despite being made of cardboard, Cuna is surprisingly comfortable. The 6-8mm thickness of the cardboard provides a firm yet yielding surface, which is gentle on the body. The curved design provides a cozy seating experience, with the sides acting as convenient armrests or even as a place to set down a cup or phone. When placed against a wall, it even acts as a makeshift backrest. Furthermore, it can serve as a daybed, allowing you to rest on one side while placing your legs on the other.

Cuna is an ideal option for a wide range of scenarios. Whether you are a student on a budget, a bachelor looking for practical and sustainable furniture or a new homeowner looking to add both comfort and sustainability to your space, Cuna fits the bill perfectly.

The next time you unbox a new TV, microwave, or even the humble pizza, think twice before discarding the packaging. With Cuna, you can repurpose that cardboard, transforming it into a functional piece of furniture that adds an element of sustainability and comfort to your living space.

The post Cuna Furniture Upcycles Your TV Box Into Sustainable Multifunctional Furniture first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cardboard water bottle concept shows a more sustainable way to stay hydrated

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We’re often advised to drink lots of water every day, but that isn’t always feasible unless we have a bottle of water with us all the time. It’s for this reason that water bottles have become quite popular these days, but many of these containers are large, heavy, and sometimes unsustainable. The latter is especially true for PET bottles, the most overused kind of water container there is. Its small, lightweight size makes it easy to carry around and its plastic material might make it seem like a good idea to reuse the bottle over and over again. Whatever the context, plastic is a harmful material in the long run, so this reusable and sustainable water bottle looks elsewhere for inspiration, one that’s easily overlooked and taken for granted because we simply throw away milk and juice boxes the moment they’ve been emptied.

Designer: Rishikesh Sonawane

It might have different names in different countries, but “TetraPak” is a common sight in groceries and refrigerators, holding liquids like milk, juice, and sometimes even soup. These cardboard containers are indeed designed to be thrown away, but there’s no reason one can’t design a variant that can hang around for quite a while before you have to part ways, primarily by recycling its parts. It lets you keep yourself healthy by drinking lots of water while also keeping the planet healthy by reducing the number of PET bottles out in the wild.

reU is the design concept that puts those ideas together, utilizing a layer of cardboard, aluminum, and polyethylene to provide form and structure to the water bottle shaped like an overgrown flask. These three materials were specifically chosen after much consideration because of their long-term benefits and ease of production, despite there being more sustainable alternatives available. Cardboard is better than paper mache when it comes to integrity and finish, aluminum is cheap and easily stretched into extremely thin sheets, and polyethylene, which is used in only 5% of the total design, is easy to produce.

The design, however, goes beyond just using sustainable materials. The shape of the “bottle”, for example, was chosen for space efficiency and easier grip. The dotted bottle cap made from bioplastic offers not just texture for turning the cap but also a visual contrast to the vertical lines running down the side of the bottle. The rubber tab keeps the cap in place and functions as a strap to hold or hang the bottle, but it can also be retracted to keep the cap from swinging around while you’re drinking or pouring out its contents.

Despite being a reusable bottle, reU isn’t meant to last forever. In fact, it’s designed to wear out to the point that you’ll have to properly dispose of it by recycling each distinct component separately and properly. This ensures that the water you drink will always be clean and safe, something that PET bottles can guarantee after repeated use. And given how cheap it is to produce and how easy it is to recycle, there’s little harm in replacing the reU with another reU, over and over again.

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