»The Essence of Biocement« – Product design final thesis awarded by the German Design Council
With their joint bachelor's thesis on a biocement that can be produced without emissions, Julia Huhnholz and Friedrich Gerlach convinced the jury of the international competition for young designers »one&twenty« (formerly »ein&zwanzig«). As one of 21 award-winning works, the design duo prevailed against 545 entries from 134 universities in 53 countries. Also nominated for the shortlist were Esther Betz and Mara Kossira for their innovative clothes horse »MAÏMA.«.
The production of cement is very energy-consuming and resource-intensive. In order to raise awareness of a serious alternative, the so-called biocement, and to illustrate the diverse application possibilities, Julia Huhnholz and Friedrich Gerlach designed the seating furniture »The Essence of Biocement« and made it from the material. Biocement can be produced microbially without any emissions or heat input – with the help of urea. In the process, recycled bricks and calcium carbonate are combined by the bacteria they contain to form a resilient and stable biocement.
Interdisciplinary cooperation inside and outside Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
For their thesis, Huhnholz and Gerlach had interdisciplinary cooperation partners at their side: the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, the Institute of Microbiology at Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena and the civil engineers at the University of Cape Town. The laboratory chemicals wholesaler Carl Roth supported with a material sponsorship.
The award from the German Design Council comes with the opportunity to travel to the Salone del Mobile 2023, the Milan design fair, and take part in the »one&twenty« exhibition. There, the award-winning works will not only be presented to the public but also to an expert audience – a very good opportunity to make important contacts.
Video The Essence of Biocement
from Friedrich Gerlach
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Shortlist nomination for design object on the sustainable use of clothing
Piles of laundry spread around the room? In most households there is one or more places where worn clothes pile up until they finally start to smell and end up in the laundry. To counteract this, Esther Betz and Mara Kossira developed »MAÏMA.« in a semester project, a design object that offers aesthetically pleasing, multifaceted hanging possibilities. In this way, clothes are not only visible, but they are also well aired.
The clothes horse thus contributes to washing clothes less frequently and unnecessarily. This not only saves energy and water, but also protects the textiles, which are subject to less wear and tear and last much longer.
MAÏMA
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Among the honourees are two other Bachelor graduates from the Faculty of Art and Design. Emma Tietze, who is now studying for her Master's degree at the Universität der Künste Berlin, is one of the winners with her modular carpet series »Expandable rug«. Justus Hilfenhaus was also selected with his self-charging and energy-generating kitchen radio »teg-radio«, which he developed during his Master's studies at the École cantonale d'art de Lausanne (ECAL). The award ceremony of the international competition will take place during the »Salone del Mobile« on 17 April 2023, 7 pm, in Milan.
»The Essence of Biocement« was supervised by Dr Jan Willmann, Professor of Theory and History of Design, Katrin Krupka, then Acting Professor of Material and Environment, and Research Associate Michael Braun, Theory and History of Design.
The semester project »MAÏMA« was supervised by Martin Kuban, Professor of Material and Environment and the then Artistic Associate Susann Paduch.
About the competition
With the »one&twenty« (formerly »ein&zwanzig«) competition, the German Design Council would like to give young designers the chance to exhibit their prototypes in Milan as part of the »Salone del Mobile 2023«. A total of 21 works will be selected and presented during the design fair. The international competition is aimed at design students and alumni with innovative and trend-setting works from the fields of Interior Design, Lifestyle, Eco Design, Social Design & Medical and Rehabilitation, Materials and Textiles, Techniques and Processes for Design, Public Design and Digitally Supported Design.
http://one-and-twenty.de/en/awardees/
About the German Design Council
The German Design Council is an independent and internationally active institution that supports companies in efficiently communicating design competence and at the same time aims to strengthen the general public's understanding of design. Founded in 1953 as a foundation on the initiative of the German Bundestag, the German Design Council promotes good design through its competitions, exhibitions, conferences, seminars and publications. Currently, around 260 German and foreign companies are members of the German Design Council.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Romy Weinhold, Press and Public Relations Officer at the Faculty of Art and Design, by phone at +49 / 36 43 / 58 11 86 or by e-mail at romy.weinhold[at]uni-weimar.de.