In a remarkable intersection of sustainability and creativity, Melbourne-based designer Joanne Odisho has captured the prestigious Australian Furniture Design Award with her groundbreaking lamp collection crafted from discarded eggshells. This innovative approach not only highlights the potential of recycling but also redefines the very essence of modern lighting design.
A Sustainable Vision
Odisho’s journey began during her time at RMIT University, where an assignment focused on utilising food waste ignited her passion for eco-friendly design. Exploring various materials, she initially experimented with coffee grounds, only to abandon the idea when mould became an unwelcome companion. It was then that she stumbled upon the surprising resilience of eggshells, a resource often overlooked in the waste stream.
Collecting thousands of discarded eggshells from local cafés, Odisho meticulously sterilises and dries them before pulverising the shells into a fine powder using a Nutribullet. This powder is then combined with a biopolymer, resulting in a material that resembles “wet sand” and is entirely biodegradable. While she remains tight-lipped about the specific household product she uses as a setting agent—hoping to keep her innovative process under wraps—she assures that the resulting composite is not only affordable and durable but also showcases the natural hues found in a carton of eggs.
The Mod-u Collection
The heart of Odisho’s award-winning design lies in her Mod-u lamps, which consist of modular, reconfigurable blocks made from her unique composite. Each lamp is designed to be versatile, allowing users to rearrange the blocks to create their desired lighting configuration. “The material takes on a rock-like durability once dried,” she explains, emphasising the tactile nature of the product.
Judges lauded the lamps for their architectural form and the engaging experience they offer. Tony Russell, brand director of Stylecraft, which has overseen the award since its inception, noted that Odisho’s innovative use of eggshells was a revelation. “It can be configured into a table lamp, a floor lamp, or even a striking feature piece,” he said. The theme of this year’s award, “living well, living small,” challenged designers to create pieces that enhance comfort and functionality in compact spaces, and Odisho’s work exemplifies this ethos.
The Rewards of Innovation
Winning the Australian Furniture Design Award not only brings Odisho a cash prize of $20,000 but also opens the door for collaboration with Stylecraft to bring her designs to market. With her newfound success, she contemplates her next venture, expressing interest in expanding her repertoire to include soft furnishings, such as modular sofas.
“This is just the beginning,” she shares with an air of excited uncertainty about the future. “I might build on these lamps, but I’m very keen to explore other areas of design that can also utilise sustainable materials.”
Why it Matters
Odisho’s triumph in the realm of furniture design is more than a personal achievement; it embodies a critical shift towards sustainability in the design industry. By transforming what is typically considered waste into beautiful, functional art, she not only champions environmental responsibility but also inspires a new generation of designers to think creatively about resource use. As global concerns about waste and sustainability intensify, Odisho’s work serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating that innovation can arise from even the most unexpected places.
