Building materials

FRAGMENT: Sculptural Vessels from Recycled Paper Composite

Lithuanian artist Donatas Žukauskas introduces "FRAGMENT," a series of sculptural receptacles that delves into the connections among architectural elements, geological formations, and product aesthetics. This collection reimagines the conventional vase as a sculptural entity, employing fractured geometric patterns, uneven silhouettes, and tactile surfaces to produce items that evoke volcanic stone or aged concrete fragments.

Each creation is individually handcrafted using a unique composite material developed by Žukauskas, consisting of reclaimed paper fibers, organic cement, mineral colorants, and binding agents. Despite its superficial resemblance to natural stone, volcanic formations, or weathered concrete, the material possesses a remarkable lightness, resilience, and slight flexibility, exhibiting characteristics more akin to seasoned timber than rigid rock.

The Artistic Evolution of Recycled Material Forms

Donatas Žukauskas's "FRAGMENT" collection transcends the mere function of a vase, presenting each piece as an independent sculptural statement. Crafted from a bespoke composite of recycled paper pulp, natural cement, and mineral pigments, these vessels showcase angular planes and irregular surfaces that interact dynamically with ambient light, transforming their appearance throughout the day. The series currently features four distinct vessels, available in two color palettes: FRAGMENT Ochre I & II and FRAGMENT Terracotta I & II. Each pair shares a coherent architectural language while developing its own material identity, emphasizing the collection's exploration of form, texture, and sustainable design principles.

The meticulous handcrafting process involved in creating the "FRAGMENT" vessels intentionally preserves natural variations within the composite material. Subtle fissures, surface irregularities, and textural shifts are deliberately retained, becoming integral features of each finished object. This approach highlights a design philosophy that embraces and integrates imperfections, transforming them into distinctive elements rather than attempting to conceal them. By combining recycled paper pulp with mineral components, the collection positions itself at the intersection of functional art, sculptural expression, and material innovation, exploring how an unconventional composite can emulate the aesthetics of geological and architectural elements while perfectly suiting modern interior spaces.

Embracing Imperfection in Handcrafted Design

The essence of the "FRAGMENT" collection lies in its celebration of natural imperfections, which are meticulously integrated into the design rather than hidden. The production methodology deliberately allows for subtle cracks, surface inconsistencies, and textural shifts to remain visible, contributing to the unique character and material narrative of each vessel. This philosophy by Donatas Žukauskas champions an aesthetic where flaws are not errors but rather intentional expressions, enriching the overall design and enhancing the authenticity of the handcrafted pieces.

Through its innovative blend of reclaimed paper pulp, mineral-based constituents, and artisanal construction, the "FRAGMENT" series redefines the role of the vessel, positioning it as a hybrid artifact that merges utility with sculptural artistry and material research. Developed by designer Donatas Žukauskas, this collection investigates the potential of alternative composite materials to replicate the visual and tactile qualities of geological and architectural fragments, all while seamlessly adapting to contemporary interior environments. The deliberate embrace of irregularities underscores a commitment to sustainable practices and a refined appreciation for the inherent beauty found in non-uniformity.

Bhoon+ House: A Courtyard-Centric Residence in Bangkok

Anonym Studio has created the Bhoon+ House in Bangkok, Thailand, a residential project that ingeniously reuses the expansive lawn of an existing family dwelling. This new construction, spanning 376 square meters, maintains a symbiotic relationship with the original home while establishing distinct privacy for its occupants. The core of the design is an open central courtyard, which not only links the two residences visually and spatially but also serves as a shared verdant landscape. The architectural approach emphasizes natural light and cross-ventilation, shaping a living environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

The Bhoon+ House, envisioned by Anonym Studio, occupies a plot that was once the garden of an established family home in Bangkok, Thailand. The primary goal of this redevelopment was to create a new household that would remain connected to the original residence. The design achieved this by preserving the former lawn as a common courtyard, allowing for seamless visual and spatial continuity between the two houses, while simultaneously granting enhanced privacy to the younger family residing in the new structure.

The architectural layout is defined by this central open courtyard, strategically placed to respond to the existing house and the site's orientation. Given that the street frontage faces east, incorporating the courtyard into the middle of the new volume allowed for the creation of a secondary, north-facing edge. This innovative placement ensures an abundance of natural daylight permeates the interior spaces and offers expansive views across the garden. Furthermore, this shared courtyard acts as a communal landscape, strengthening the bond between the architecture and its outdoor surroundings.

The building itself adopts a long, linear form, mirroring the rectangular dimensions of the plot and thoughtfully adapting to the sun's trajectory. This deliberate arrangement minimizes direct solar exposure on the main walls, while the north-facing facade features large glazed surfaces that maximize natural light. Consequently, the primary rooms are oriented to overlook the serene courtyard, benefiting from both ample natural illumination and efficient cross-ventilation. This thoughtful design ensures a comfortable and well-lit interior throughout the day.

The design team at Anonym Studio has seamlessly integrated the courtyard into the very fabric of the architecture, moving beyond merely treating it as a separate green space. A distinctive feature is the recessed section of the roof, which elegantly accommodates a central tree within the courtyard while preserving the smooth flow of the main roof plane. This architectural detail gives the house its unique roof profile and visually merges the planted courtyard with the overall structure of the building.

The interior, spanning approximately 400 square meters, revolves around a continuous communal area encompassing the living room, dining space, and kitchen. Strategically placed large glazed openings at various points in the floor plan flood these shared zones with natural light and frame picturesque views of the courtyard and the surrounding garden. Operable awning windows in the kitchen further enhance natural ventilation, while utility areas and a dedicated Thai kitchen are discreetly situated at the rear of the house.

The rear service volume is characterized by an exterior curved wall, meticulously crafted from white-painted brick. Deliberate gaps within the brickwork allow for the passage of light and air, creating a naturally ventilated enclosure. This element thoughtfully contrasts with the more open, glazed facades that face the central courtyard, adding textural and visual interest to the design.

Throughout the Bhoon+ House, natural light is introduced through a harmonious combination of courtyard glazing, upper-level windows, and internal voids. Along the second-floor corridor, glazed walls permit daylight to cascade through the central opening to the lower level, fostering visual connections between the different floors. The upper level houses private rooms thoughtfully arranged around the central void. A dedicated room for board games, enclosed by a full-height glass wall, receives ample light from the adjacent balcony. The main bedroom combines an east-facing glazed wall with captivating views of the garden, situated beneath a gabled ceiling and featuring a raised platform that extends into an inviting, informal sitting area.

The exterior aesthetic is defined by a pristine white material palette, a minimalist gabled roof, and expansive glazed openings. The east-facing facade welcomes the gentle morning light into the bedrooms, while the open courtyard side maintains a continuous visual link with the adjacent family home. Across the entire project, Bhoon+ House skillfully employs the courtyard, recessed roof, and glazed openings as integrated architectural elements. These components collectively orchestrate daylight, ventilation, circulation, and views, while meticulously preserving the relationship between the existing residence, the shared landscape, and the newly established family home.

See More

Transforming Textile Waste into Innovative Architectural Materials

The "Fast Fashion Architecture" initiative, a pioneering research endeavor by Taylor Leung's 12103 Design Studio in collaboration with The Bartlett School of Architecture, addresses the urgent issue of textile waste by transforming discarded synthetic fabrics into versatile architectural materials. This project, conceived in 2022 alongside Chung Yin Jeffrey Kwong, Chao-An Chang, Chong Li, and Jiali Yan, explores the intersection of fashion and construction, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional building components.

Discarded Fabrics Find New Life in Construction

In a revolutionary approach to waste management, London-based designer Taylor Leung and his team at 12103 Design Studio, in conjunction with experts from The Bartlett School of Architecture, have introduced the "Fast Fashion Architecture" project. This initiative, launched in 2022, focuses on repurposing non-biodegradable synthetic garments and textile industry offcuts, which are notoriously difficult to recycle through traditional methods. The core innovation lies in a heat-fusion technique that bonds these materials without the need for adhesives or binders. Textiles are meticulously sorted by color and composition, then compressed into mild-steel cages and subjected to controlled heat. This process results in porous, robust units that remarkably preserve the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and unique textures of the original clothing items, offering a distinct aesthetic for architectural applications.

Further advancing this sustainable vision, the team engineered a modified 3D printer for a semi-automated "digital soldering" process. This adapted machine utilizes heated tips to move through the compressed textiles, allowing for precise control over bonding patterns by adjusting temperature, density, and spacing. This blend of digital fabrication and the inherent variability of discarded textiles ensures that each material unit is distinct yet consistently bonded. The versatility of these heat-fused blocks has been rigorously tested across various applications, from initial material samples to outdoor walls, furniture pieces like chairs, and structural columns. A significant milestone was the development of a prototype shelter at Grymsdyke Farm, demonstrating the material's potential at a human and spatial scale. Visionary studies even extend this system to the design of a three-story house, envisioning a future where textile waste forms the very fabric of our built environment. This project not only mitigates the environmental burden of fast fashion but also fosters a circular economy, bridging the gap between garment production and innovative architectural solutions.

This groundbreaking project exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration and creative problem-solving can lead to transformative solutions for pressing environmental challenges. By reimagining textile waste as a valuable resource for construction, "Fast Fashion Architecture" not only offers a pathway to sustainable building but also challenges our perceptions of value and disposability in consumer culture. It underscores the potential for design and architecture to drive significant positive change, inspiring a future where waste is not merely discarded but ingeniously repurposed into meaningful, functional, and aesthetically rich creations.

See More