The Cardboard House Project: A Case of Explorative Design and Communication
Year: 2010
Editor: Boks W; Ion, W; McMahon, C and Parkinson B
Author: Sigurjónsson, Jóhannes B; Lönngren, Guy; Berntsen, Hilde Østerås
Section: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Page(s): 394-400
Abstract
In university design departments, there is and has been an ongoing discussion how to accomplish both active design and scientifically approved research. The Cardboard House Project was an experiment intended to investigate industrial design as explorative force and driver of innovation. The project was accomplished at Department of Product Design, NTNU in cooperation with partners, and attracted considerable support from industry and official bodies. The direct subject was to explore how design solutions and new materials contribute to sustainable innovations for interiors and small buildings. Central in the project was the design of conceptual furniture and building elements in lightweight cardboard materials. The project culminated by building of a full scale model of a furnished cottage at the Technoport Exhibition in Trondheim in October 2007. The exhibition was a success in itself and the industrial partners were content with the results. The project demonstrated how design can actively contribute to innovation and open up for new ways of thinking by showing new ideas for more effective use of materials and energy.
Keywords: Innovation, design exploration, communication, conceptual design, cardboard