WAMBAMBOO Costello Seat By Kent Gration
by Kate Andrews, 09/27/07
Kent Gration’s Wambamboo Costello Seat is a wonderful example of sustainable materials used in an eye-catching way. Made from cross-laminated bamboo ribs, the ergonomically-designed small storage holder puts the focus on the exotic nature of the materiality, creating a vivid mosaic of the bamboo’s colors and layers. The seat has been created as a prototype for future production which will use plywood molding techniques.
Kent is an Australian designer whose work we stumbled across at the recent 100% Design London festivities. We love his unique approach to using sustainable materials in new and interesting ways.
Kate,
I can not agree that bamboo is an inherently sustainable material. Yes, it renews within 4 to 5 years, but, first, it grows in Asia, which implies a very long transportation way to the manufacturing plant. Secondly, it is available only in pretty small stripps, which have to be glued together. To evaluate its environmental friendlyness one needs to have the information what kind of adhesives have been used, otherwise these glues and finishes can release pretty nasty chemicals into the indoor air. And, third, Asia, especially China, is not very well-known for fair labor laws. I think all of this should be considered before touting a material as sustainable or environmentally friendly.