Cardboard bike
It is mind-blowing for me that people can actually ride a bike that is made of cardboard. I was under the impression that cardboard was usually fragile and would be soluble in water. It is impressive that the designer used two strategies to reinforce the bike. First, the cardboard that was used to build the bike is actually folded cardboard, which is three-time stronger than regular cardboard. Second, the body of the bike adopts a diamond shape structure, which evenly distributes the weight of the person to the two wheels.
Nintendo Labo
I think it is a smart idea to use cardboard in children’s toys. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also inspires children’s curiosity during the assembly process. Also, cardboard feels different from plastic which is conducive to the development of children’s senses.
Chairigami
Can you imagine furniture made of cardboard? Well, this company called Chairigami makes it possible. They don’t just have basic tables and chairs, but more sophisticated ones like iPad consoles and one-piece tables and chairs. They are all both practical and aesthetic, opening up a new train of thought for household design.
More unconventional materials
Mushroom mycelium
The furniture shown above is designed by Sebastian Cox and Ninela Ivanova. Sebastian, the furniture designer, teamed up with the researcher Ninela to use mushroom mycelium in household design.
Wastewater
The Dutch Water Authorities developed a new technology to reclaim a new sustainable material from wastewater. Designer Nienke Hoogvilient uses this kind of special material to build containers for cremation ashes, named MOURN.
Blood
Designer Basse Stittgen used discarded cow blood to build items
