recycled water bottles shape LAAB's 3D printed eco-pavilion at maison&objet

Hong Kong Eco-Pavilion at Maison&Objet Paris

At the 2024 Maison&Objet Fall edition, Hong Kong-based architectural firm LAAB presents an eco-pavilion constructed from 3D printed bricks made of recycled water bottles. The Hong Kong Eco-Pavilion showcases a series of staggered turquoise-toned bricks, resulting in an organic perforated structure. During the event, Design Director of LAAB, Otto Ng, participated in a talk moderated by designboom, where he elaborated on the bottle-to-brick and brick-to-pavilion design process as well as its sustainable approach. ‘In this design, we actually used water bottles collected from ten different secondary schools in Hong Kong,’ he mentions.

Sharing more of the process behind the creation of the water bottle-derived filaments and the 3D printed aspect of the project, the architect also highlighted the importance of craftwork in Hong Kong. ‘Craftsmanship is getting more and more important. We are both interested in preserving the almost lost craftsmanship from the older generations. At the same time, we are very interested in new techniques, machines and digital fabrication,’ Otto Ng tells designboom during our talk at Maison&Objet. 

all images by Otto Ng, unless stated otherwise

LAAB’s Sustainable Pavilion Reflects Hong Kong’s Heritage

Recycled PET bottles, collected from various schools in Hong Kong, were cleaned, processed, and transformed into 3D printing filaments to create eco-bricks. These lightweight, stackable, and portable bricks were specifically designed to minimize the carbon footprint during transportation. LAAB developed multiple prototypes to ensure the bricks used minimal filament while maintaining structural integrity. ‘As we bring this pavilion from Hong Kong to Paris, we want to be very conscious of sustainability,’ Otto Ng, lead architect of the Hong Kong-based firm, notes. 

The bricks were assembled on-site in a wavy, circular configuration, inspired by the coastline of Victoria Harbour, a symbol of Hong Kong’s natural heritage. The ring-shaped design also reflects the principles of material circularity, unity, and harmony—key elements of Chinese philosophy and culture. Pigmented in 15 shades of turquoise, the pavilion mirrors the ever-changing colors of Victoria Harbour, responding to varying light conditions. The staggered brick arrangement allows light to filter through, casting shadows reminiscent of harbor waves. Architecturally, the pavilion features multiple portals, inviting visitors to explore from every direction, creating an immersive, multidimensional experience.

at the 2024 Maison&Objet Fall edition, LAAB presents an eco-pavilion constructed from 3D printed bricks

LAAB’s pavilion extends beyond Paris with reusable eco-bricks

The brick-to-pavilion design also carefully considers the structure’s afterlife. After its showcase at Maison&Objet Paris, the pavilion will be disassembled, transported back to Hong Kong, and reassembled for another exhibition. Once its exhibition cycle is complete, the eco-bricks can be disassembled and repurposed for different public structures, or reprocessed into filament for future 3D printing projects.

By envisioning multiple lifecycles for recycled plastics, LAAB aims to redefine ‘waste’ as a valuable resource, fostering material circularity in design and production.

made of recycled water bottles, the Hong Kong Eco-Pavilion showcases a series of staggered turquoise-toned bricks

the water bottles are collected from ten different secondary schools in Hong Kong

recycled PET bottles were cleaned, processed, and transformed into 3D printing filaments to create eco-bricks

LAAB developed multiple prototypes to ensure the bricks used minimal filament

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the ring-shaped design also reflects the principles of material circularity | photo by Erika Fung

pigmented in 15 shades of turquoise | photo by Erika Fung

the pavilion mirrors the ever-changing colors of Victoria Harbour | photo by Erika Fung

casting shadows reminiscent of harbor waves | photo by Erika Fung

LAAB Maison&Objet Hong Kong Eco-Pavilion Cycle

project info: 

name: Hong Kong Eco-Pavilion 
designer: LAAB | @LAABpro
design team: Otto Ng, Linus Kung, Man Chow, Justin Yeung, Catherine Cheng, Raphael Kwok, Erika Fung, CK Wong,
Cynthia Kuo
organizer: Alliance Française de Hong Kong
co-organizer: Maison&Objet | @maisonetobjet
sponsor: CCIDA HK, Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, HKSARG
consultants: Tribe22, LE CERCLE
location: Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, Paris
photography: Otto Ng, Erika Fung