After discovering that single sheets of cardboard gained lots of strength when layered, Frank Gehry - a Pulitzer Prize winning architect based in LA - began to manipulate the simple material into funky, curvy chairs and tables. With hardwood facing applied to the flat surfaces, the furniture is really durable.
At the turn of the millennium, cardboard again became a trend. Noted for its recyclability, cardboard fits snuggly into the modern home. A whole new industry is appearing from within its wake. We actually use cardboard in our everyday lives a lot more than we think, especially for handy storage solutions!
In 2005, art director and designer Cathy Henszey began creating products for recycled cardboard furnishings. The tables and shelving are modern in their aesthetic and surprisingly strong, due to the unique honeycomb cell shape of cardboard which can actually take a lot of weight. Unlike Gehry’s pieces, they contain no screws!
Swiss architect Nicola Enrico Stäubli has created a collection of templates for cardboard kids furniture. Its suitability is because it is lightweight, can be decorated by children and once it’s has outlived its purpose can be thrown away with a clear conscience.
We will be living in cardboard houses next!
Tags: cardboard furniture
