olafur k explores productive potential of giant cane

arundo donax, or giant cane, is a species of reed common in much of the mediterranean basin, asia, and a majority of the southern united states — though present in countless more ecosystems. in many places, the species is considered invasive; rapid growth out competes native plants, and dense patches contribute to higher frequency and intensity of forest fires.

processes: grind, mix, shape, compress with rice bio-resin two
images © olafur k 
top: grind, mix, shape, compress with corn bio-resin one

common, and with few productive uses, arundo donax was an ideal candidate for material experimentation and development, an effort undertaken as a thesis product design project by olafur k. utilizing trial-and-error methods, processes and applications were attempted with consideration of environmental and (local) economic concerns. 

processes: scratch, mix, shape, compress with rice bio-resin three

findings suggest a wide range of capabilities. of all, samples containing cane dust/shavings, mixed with rice and corn bio-resins were most successful. strong, malleable, easy and cheap to produce, this composition was applied to several objects to test realistic potential. the material development project was completed by olafur k at ESDi in barcelona, spain. 

precesses: scratch, mix, shape, compress with rice bio-resin four

processes: grind, mix, shape, compress with rice bio-resin four

sample overview 

samples, continued 

material experiments

materialization in form

objects express the realistic potential of the developed material

structural experiments

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