KARTON
13th June, 2011
Cardboard furniture from Melbourne-based KARTON Group
Cardboard furniture seems very international doesn't it? It seems like something you'd see in teeny bedsit in Tokyo, or a student apartment in Berlin or Eindhoven, even.
The cardboard creations you see above do indeed hail from our cultured counterparts in the EU. They are the work of Berlin-based Industrial Designer Hans-Peter Stange, whose company Stange Design creates the most AMAZING things with cardboard. We can thank Melbourne-based KARTON Group, though, for bringing these designs to Australia. They've recently launched a schmik new online store, and they deliver Australia-wide.
KARTON's range is extensive, and includes everything from storage to office furniture, a bed and even a dining table. I'll admit the whole cardboard furniture thing is an odd concept to get your head around, but credit where credit's due - the designs are inspired and the whole range is extremely well executed. If the spiel is to be believed, KARTON furniture is strong and durable, and can even be painted / varnished if you really want it to last. It's 100% recyclable, and whilst clearly it's not made to last a lifetime, the choice of lightweight, non-toxic materials means production and freight consume far fewer resources than a similar timber or particle board product would. Must say a life cycle assessment would be a great asset here!
At $328.00 for a complete bedroom package, KARTON might just claim a small chunk of IKEA's budget / student market. I was going to say though, that at $78.00 for a 6-pack, it's the Hex and Box stools that will probably be the best seller for events and hospitality. Then I noticed they're already SOLD OUT! Ha! Nice work.
