The Transformation Issue | Idealog.co.nz
044
Paul Sinclair
Ubiquitous sheets of plasterboard are present in
almost every home in the western world, but they
typically limit modern house and building design
and consutrction to flat walls, ceilings and edged
corners. This results in houses and buildings
with sharp edges, poor energy efficiency, average
internal air flow and sub-par traffic flow.
Plasterboard is heavy to work with, unwieldy
to install and adversely affected by moisture. It
is also difficult to recycle, creating significant
landfill waste when renovating or rejuvenating
social housing precincts.
We will create a light and durable building
product made out of wool and a biodegradable
resin that can replace or complement traditional
plasterboard sheets while easily enabling he
creation of rounded walls. This will encourage
better airflow and energy efficiency in homes and
buildings, a safer space and better pedestrian
traffic flow in buildings with high-foot traffic.
Wool is the central and hero ingredient. We
envisage it being bonded with a biodegradable
resin and baked into preformed fabricated
sheets that can then be screwed into place.
FINALISTS
WOOL
CASKETS
WOOLBOARD
Becs Bartells
Strongwool caskets are a natural alternative to traditional timber,
medium-density fibreboard caskets that don’t contribute to
deforestation. They solve two problems:- People are trying to minimise their impacts on the planet
by recycling and being eco-conscious, but what about when they
die? We don’t really think about the environment when we think
of funerals. We think about those who have passed away. The
funeral industry has a very serious impact on the environment
and that is something we should all be aware of and it’s time we
start taking this seriously. - Caskets and coffins on the market today are ugly.
Apart from the environmental impacts of casket manufacture,
families are left with little or no choice for choosing a casket for
their loved ones. Caskets tend to all look the same with a very
traditional shape. Wool Caskets offer an alternative to both
materials and aesthetics. While there are boutique woollen
caskets that are available in the market, they are currently
handmade and very bespoke, which is reflected in their price tags.
Wool caskets offer a natural alternative to timber/MDF
caskets on the market. By using a wool casket, you’ll be helping
curb deforestation. Made from New Zealand strong wool felt,
The Wool Casket is the environmentally friendly and sustainable
alternative to current caskets on the market, today.