chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil
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chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil


'heat pad pencil' by chihiro konno and kenjo ohashi
image courtesy of prix émile hermès 2011


london-based chihiro konno and tokyo-based kenjo ohashi have designed 'heat pad pencil', a bamboo pencil set and small heating pad,
conceived in the spirit of sustainable energy and production. the project was one of twelve finalists at the prix émile hermès 2011.
the heating pad contains bamboo shavings by means of the user sharpening his/her pencil. when the bamboo chips are
enclosed within the satchel, they begin to ferment and the remains produce an average temperature of 50 degrees celsius
for a duration of 2-3 years. after the period of heat has ended, the matter held within the heating pad
may then be used as plant fertilizer, in its composted form.



detailed view of the bamboo pencil



detailed view of the bamboo shaving heating pad



the bamboo shavings are contained in a bag as they decompose, providing naturally occurring heat



pencils in production

chart demonstrating the product's life cycle



designboom has received this project from our 'DIY submissions' feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.

kenjo
11.08.11  
2
Why use bamboo instead of already existing plastic or paper?...
Dario   11.08.11
So, um, what do we do with the heating pad? If I had a krink in my neck, and wanted to sooth it with said pad, would I have to keep sharpening my pencil to keep it warm?
Oh, I get it. This is a pretty "example" of sustainability, rather than a real project. It's cool looking, simple, and makes us feel great about not engaging with mechanical processes. How very Amish. Oh, and bamboo is so sexy.
%$*&$!!. WHEN will we see sustaining the place we live as something more than an art project, or something to give us tax credit for being "green" while we develop/destroy the earth?
CrankyCrisisKid   11.08.11
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