about the project

Responsible Living

“What is corporate social responsibility in the year 2009?“

This question has been the starting point of a collaboration

between the Danish Design School and the design

firm Mater that specializes in this area.

A group of 12 students has been given the brief to experiment

with materials and design methodology through a ten

week period in order to generate new sustainable

products.

The students have worked with issues of implementing

ideas of CSR and sustainability into the design

method aimed towards generating a fresh outlook on

how designers can contribute to a constructive development

of the field of product design.

The students have met with experts from the Danish

governmental development assistance organization

Danida, The Danish Federation of Small and Medium-

sized Enterprises, the CSI firm Social Action as

well as with the collaboration partner Mater, and they

have learned about the obstacles and possibilities involved

when taking up such a challenging exercise.

Furthermore; the students have had completely open

guidelines to experiment with materials, theories,

methodologies, processes and production methods

in order to generate innovative ideas. The results are

shown here at the Danish Design School during the

COP 15 for your convenience. Enjoy the experience of

sustainable luxury design.

Maria Sparre-Petersen, lecturer at Glass & Ceramics, The Danish Design School

Invitation to the exhibition

helena m. hedenstedt // tatami

The Tatami lounge chair

This low lounge chair, inspired by Japanese tatami lounge chairs, combines womens’ craft skills with the Danish string furniture tradition. Basket weaving has often been associated with women, as a women's craft in many cultures around the world and throughout the history. By using these old traditions as a new art form this design takes advantage of womens’ knowledge. The combination of organic, biodegradable hemp string and a flexible, scrap metal construction makes the chair both sustainable and comfortable to sit in. 

Process

The goal with this project was to design a chair with working methods that support people, craft traditions and the environment. CSR (corporate social responsibility) was the main focus and as a part of that the impact on people, the planet and profit. According to UNIFEM (United Nations development fund for women) estimates, women represent 70 percent of the world’s poor. They are often paid less than men for their work, with the average wage gap in 2008 being 17 percent. The design of this chair is based on womens’ weaving skills in combination with the Danish string chair tradition. By using womens’ knowledge they can compete with their skills more effectively in the global marketplace. The string material is important from a sustainable point of view. Hemp is one of the fastest growing biomasses known and, once used, it can be disposed of in any natural environment and decompose into the soil, providing food and nutrition without affecting the environment. Therefore hemp was chosen as string material. The combination of the strong hemp string and the flexible construction gives a comfortable sitting experience. A seat cushion is added for a more inviting look. The result of the project is a sustainable and socially responsible design made by women. 

sally x. christensen // crackle

justyna piotrowicz & cosmin cioroiu // double

Double is a cup which assembles glass and wood in a symbiotic and multifunctional way.

Two organic materials are used to create the product which celebrates the craftsmanship and sustainability. The product evokes the feeling of warmth embedded in the simplicity of the form.

Wooden part serves as a protection for hot drinks but could be also used separately for serving food.

Justyna Piotrowicz: +4528848157 ju.piotrowicz@gmail.com

Cosmin Cioroiu: +4522879544 cioroiucosmin@hotmail.com

tone juni lorvik // concrete and laquer

kathrine k. hansen // white bone china

My inspiration for a set of vases is: how flowers move and respond to light by stretching and moving towards it. I have made vases where the cut flowers continue to respond

to the light after they are cut. The geometric look of the vases is made so that I, as the designer, have decided how and when the flowers are “out of control.”

The vases are made of white slip-cast porcelain and glazed on the inside.

thomas marijnissen // tree pot

The tree pot is cast in recycled aluminum with a lid that separates into two parts allowing you to cover the dirt while enjoying a piece of nature.

veronica müller & lena vogelius // frames

helene r. keis

Sustainability is for me not just about making products of recycled materials it is also about improving the working environment in production. This and the functionality of the teapot have been my main focus of this project.

Through research of how to pour a have made a teapot where the function follows the form and design. By simplifying the form I aim to ease the handling and reduce waste in the production.

jasper o. schlichting & christian d. hansen // dark lady

With a frame and a shell produced in recycled steel, old scrap-metal gains new life in a chair constructed with the means of proud traditional craftsmanship. An extra effort is put into the details of this chair to pay tribute to this craftsmanship. This is especially seen in the connections in the frame and also with the sewing of the vegetable tanned leather pad onto the shell. The surface of the steel is not painted but black-oxidized – again an old technique that also considers environmental issues. Many hours needs to be put into the construction of this chair. This is possible in a developing country as India where the wages still are very low. At the same time by producing in this country, we have the chance to improve their working conditions through CSR and to support the workers in a sustainable way.

JASCH@student.dkds.dk +45 29435578 // CHHAN@student.dkds.dk +45 22426551

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