‘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.

chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil detailed view of the bamboo pencil

chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil detailed view of the bamboo shaving heating pad

chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil the bamboo shavings are contained in a bag as they decompose, providing naturally occurring heat

chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil pencils in production chihiro konno + kenjo ohashi: bamboo heat pad pencil

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.