haneul kim disassembles NIKE’s ISPA shoes turning them into colorful boxing gear

Boxing Objects by Haneul Kim Reinterpret Nike’s ISPA

South Korean designer Haneul Kim recycles and reinterprets NIKE‘s ISPA (Link Axis) shoes transforming them into Boxing Objects. The exceptional feature of ISPA lies in its modular design, where shoe components are ingeniously interconnected without the need for glue. This design allows for easy disassembly, making it possible to recycle each part separately when the shoes reach the end of their lifecycle. The visionary approach aims to give a new purpose to the thermal polyurethane (TPU) material present in ISPA.

TPU-Based Collection merges sustainability with innovation

TPU, known for its impact-absorbing properties, serves as a key source of inspiration, drawing a unique connection to the world of boxing. In boxing, fighters exchange powerful punches while wearing protective gloves, and they refine their skills on punching bags designed to withstand substantial impacts. Kim recognizes the shared aspect of impact absorption between ISPA’s TPU material and boxing equipment.

To bring this vision to life, the designer grounds TPU material from ISPA into fine particles which then extrudes into filament form. The use of thin layers and spacing during extrusion transforms the TPU filament into a material resembling fibers, drawing from NIKE’s cutting-edge Flyprint technology. The result is a unique collection, where all pieces are crafted from TPU material converted into versatile fibers, seamlessly merging sustainability with innovative design.

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project info:

name: Boxing Objects Reinterpreted Nike’s ISPA / TPU Boxing gloves 10oz, TPU Punching bag 30kg
designer: Haneul Kim | @neulkeem

photography: donghyikim | @donghyikim

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