Paper pulp furniture is stronger than it looks.
Bamboo has been praised for several years as the most sustainable material for furniture (due to its quickly renewable nature), with cardboard coming a close second due to its recycled and recyclable form. At first thought cardboard may not sound very strong, but when you think about the fact that it is used to package heavy items such as couches and refrigerators it begins to get a little more credit. And it is a short leap from cardboard to recycled paper pulp, so Israeli designers Odelia Lavie and Dan Hochberg took it.
They designed a set of ‘Pulp Furniture’ that includes a coffee table, stools, and a clock (or wall hanging).
Made in 2008, Odelia and Dan (whose work was recently exhibited at Jerusalem Design Week) explain that “the inspiration [for ‘Pulp Furniture’] comes from pulp spacers used in packaging.”
If the set looks flimsy, have no fear. “Even though the set is made out of paper,” the duo write, “these furniture [pieces] are strong enough to use.”
The structural shapes of the pieces contribute to their strength, as well as make a playful reference to industrial packaging.
As with cardboard furniture, ‘Pulp Furniture’ is both recycled and easily recyclable. It can even be upcycled into packaging!
:: Odelia & Dan
Read more about cardboard furniture:
Sanserif Creatius Carves a Cardboard Table With Arabic Devotion
Krooom Makes Recycled and Recyclable Cardboard Furniture For Kids of All Ages
Green Lullaby Makes Recycled Dollhouses and Doll Cradles
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
