SUSTAINABILITY - THE CARDBOARD OFFICE COMES OF AGE
Last year the Amsterdam creative agency Nothing opened its doors to the world to
reveal an office made entirely of cardboard. Practical, elegant, cheap – and absolutely stunning.
“Nothing is about the power of ideas, about how a single idea can transform nothing into something,” said co-founder Michael Jansen. “Using a cheap throw-away material to build a unique and memorable work space, seemed a good way to materialise this thought.”
The office was designed by internationally recognised designers Alrik Koudenburg and Joost van Bleiswijk, who have become the latest in a long line of famous designers to experiment with cardboard. Frank Gehry’s Wiggle Chair for Vitra is credited with starting the interest in making quality furniture from cardboard, and his dining chairs and table are still sold by Vitra today. Eric Guiomar has hero status in France for his cardboard creation programme, and Sergei Gerasimenko has designed exceptional children’s furniture for Foldschool.
Historically however, the general public and corporate buyers have been slow to recognise the potential of cardboard in the home and office. This is understandable. Cardboard sounds a little tacky and downmarket. What organisation wants to brag about the fact its furniture is made from cardboard? Who is going to want to work for such a company? Can’t they afford the proper stuff? Surely it won’t be strong enough / attractive enough?
In fact properly designed, engineered and produced, modern day corrugated cardboard is the cheapest and most versatile material we have. It is immensely flexible, very strong, and easy to handle. If you add to that its striking good looks and the fact it is beautifully soft and comfortable to work at, it is surprising it has taken so long to catch on.