SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STUDY
Circularity Implementation
Design meets aesthetics meets sustainability
The idea of this sustainable design study was sparked within an LIGANOVA in-house workshop about circular product staging approaches.
Our approach: The material used has to be renewable. Therefore, our experts’ choice of materials was mainly wood-based raw material. The small percentage of materials used that are not, such as metals, maintain a high degree of recyclability. The use of plastics, solvents and composites was avoided nearly completely in order to renounce mineral oils.
The study now equals an art installation showcasing the variety of possibilities for sustainable product staging – enabled through creativity, craftsmanship and an innovative use of renewable materials.
STONE
The concept for ‘STONE’ emerged on the attempt of mimicking various material types: It is created on the basis of medium density fibreboard (MDF) to which there are seven hollow high density fibreboard (HDF) bodies attached. These were coated with natural plaster and sanded and patinated several times with water-soluble wall paint to cause the look of concrete.#
Material
Base material MDF board, hollow HDF panel, natural plaster, wall paint, single LEDs
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood)
SHEAR CUT
The principle behind this piece is rather simple – and that’s what makes it so brilliant! Made of five layers, our experts laser-cut oval shapes into large pieces of paper, rotated them by 90° and fastened them to the colored MDF board using household rubber bands. Ingenious and so effective at spotlighting the product!
Material
Base material MDF board, paper, metal rods,
household rubber bands, wall paint
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycled waste paper, metals)
Thermal utilization
MOLECULE
This art piece uses many single modules which serve as construction and product support at the same time. The sculpture created originates from one module which is tucked to another equal module and can be expanded to taste in size and form. The consideration behind this product presentation: How to playfully highlight a small product by actually integrating it, showing a lot of it and letting it have its function.
Material
Base material MDF board, HDF panel
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood)
Thermal utilization
3D PATTERN
A lively product placement for toys emerged when we came up with this bright pattern which was designed, printed and crafted at our production site. The paper triangles are attached to the MDF base plate using wood glue. The toys themselves are made of wood and the boxes behind them show off the stated 3D-like triangle print.
Material
Base material MDF board, HDF panel,
printed colored paper
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood, waste paper)
Thermal utilization
JAPAN
Light being a key component to highlight a product in a window campaign, exhibit ‘JAPAN’ is all about staging a performance through lightning. Usually, it takes some kind of plastic to direct light from its source towards the product that is being spotlighted. Here, simple but effective handmade Japan paper diffuses the light so nicely, neither acrylic glass nor matt foil needs to be incorporated. The raw texture of the natural material adds a special twist to this classic and clean product presentation.
Material
Base material MDF board, HDF panel,
metal rods, LED stripes, Japan paper
End Of Life
Material utilization (waste paper, metal and wood recycling)
Thermal utilization
MULTI BOX
This ‘Multi Box’ consists of HDF compartments of various sizes, set in a sanded pattern. The inlays are made of recycled cotton matting. A material which often finds its application in car insulation. Both the recycled cotton and the HDF trays are colored with water-based stain. Finally, delicate products, such as jewelry, can be pinned onto the soft fabric remnants.
Material
Base material MDF board, HDF panel,
Cotton felt panel, wall paint
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood & textiles)
Thermal utilization
KAFKA
Exhibit ‘KAFKA’ makes use of existing, discarded items – books. Basically, the idea was to design and implement a product staging without the need for manufacturing, as the material used already exists. MDF board was assembled to build a box, books were stacked and the staged product was hung in all this literature. Beware, as this sustainable product presentation weighs around 50 kg!
Material
Base material MDF board,
Discarded old books
End Of Life
Material utilization (waste paper)
Thermal utilization, sell or read them
TURBINE
Sustainable but make it fancy – Sustainability can be chic and glossy thanks to the many material innovations out there. The Mirri H mirror paper is super reflective and finds its application in high-end packaging for cosmetics or beverages such as champagne. It is FSC-certified and recyclable as its coating is so light that it has no impact on the redemption process. The base for ‘Turbine’ is made from 3mm laser-cut HDF components, which are stained in black and plugged together. The mirror coated paper was cut in two sizes, folded and inserted into the HDF structure.
Material
Base material MDF board, HDF panel,
Mirri H mirror board, water pigment stain black
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood, waste paper)
Thermal utilization
CLIP CLAP
This piece is causing a scene through movement. Lids open and close, creating a playful moment which has passers-by stop and wonder in awe. All nine wheels, layers and panels are made of HDF. All nine rotary axes are made of metal. The gear mechanism is made of identical parts. All parts are only plugged or screwed and can be disassembled later on. The drive is a small standard electric motor which can later be reused for another purpose.
Material
Base material MDF board, HDF panel,
metal rods
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood)
Thermal utilization
WALL TILE 3D RELIEF
For this artwork, the iconic Nespresso products are first built up in wood cutouts as a layer, which is used as the basis for the negative cast in silicone. By utilizing this reusable template, alabaster can be poured multiple times, allowing the final relief to acquire its characteristic appearance, as if the sculpted material has been elegantly elevated from the background plane.
Material
Base material MDF board with wall paint, natural plaster (alabaster)
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood)
NETWORK
The frame of this artwork is made of solid wood, and the edge cladding consists of thinly laser-cut fiberboard with slats. Linen and cotton cords are wrapped around them, heavily brushed with white water-based wall paint. This creates an irregular network and special patterns at the intersections of the cords, making each replica a unique piece. A yellow cone made of MDF emerges from the structure and appears to almost float. It serves as a very special display for accessories such as watches and jewelry.
Material
Base material MDF board, solid wood, HDF board with slats, linen and cotton cord, wall paint
End Of Life
Material utilization (recycling of wood), Thermal utilization
PAPERMACHÉ LEAF
Inspired by the beauty of nature, this artwork demonstrates how elegant recycling and material utilization can be: First, a latex mold is created, which serves as a negative form for casting. To be able to cast waste paper as the starting material, the papier-mâché must be dissolved into thin fibers in water. The use of pure cellulose fibers allows the result to hold together without glue, making it entirely sustainable.
Material
Base Material MDF Board, Wall Paint, Cellulose
End Of Life
Material utilization (100% recycled waste paper)
