IXMC Silent Artifact, Nina Hvermans

Design Nina Havermans

A silent artifact of the technoscape. Nina Havermans’ biomaterials and -composites are biobased and biodegradable. The objects are handmade and one of a kind. The material utilizes woolen waste from fabric production, and a renewable binder made of biomass from the wood industry. Together, the biocomposite is still entirely biobased, biodegradable and non-toxic.

The qualities of the wool are maintained in the objects. This applies to performative qualities, such as sound absorption and a natural flame resistance, as well as aesthetic qualities. The production of these pieces is directly tied to the production of fabrics at Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrik (GU). Colors can be mixed and matched to meet our interiors, but always find their origin in the collections made in the fabric factory in Lillehammer.

The two already existing pieces are one in red and one in blue. The binder degrades by water, faster than the wool. This allows the wool to easily be separated and reused over and over. Take care of the artifact, without using water, and at the end of object life, the wool can easily be separated by degrading the binder, and reassembled into a new configuration. Another form, another function, or combined with other colors.

The material of these objects turn a waste stream into a resource that creates opportunities instead of waste, opportunities in the form of objects and local material stories. The artifacts derive from a design research into material ecology, a case study for a new composite biomaterial that is fully biobased and biodegradable.

Size: Ø90 cm x 8cm, convex
Weight: 4 kg
Material: biocomposite

Shipping 1 weeks. Two available. Only in Norway.
Made-to-order 2-6 weeks.

Contact us for custom bespoke colours and forms.
Variations in size and color can be discussed. Variations in size come with an added cost for a new mould.