'White Utopia', an innovative and conceptual installation by Natural Material Studio showcased at 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, tried to redefine sustainable living by creating an entire home interior from Procel bioplastic.
This exhibition made a bold statement about the possibilities of sustainable living. In a world grappling with the environmental impact of traditional materials, Danish practice Natural Material Studio crafted an entire home interior from Procel, a revolutionary bioplastic. This installation spanned three rooms—a dining room, a lounge, and a bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe—each piece meticulously designed to challenge notions of design and sustainability.
"The complexity and scale of creating a three-dimensional 'house' from this material was our biggest challenge to date," said studio founder Bonnie Hvillum. "It was exciting to see how these new materials could be integrated into our lives."
Initially developed as a flexible biotextile for clothing and curtains, Procel was adapted to form sturdy, functional furniture. The bioplastic was derived from a specific natural protein, combined with chalk for strength and a plant-based softener for flexibility. This innovative material was used to create everything from room dividers and a bio-foam sofa to stools and a platform bed, demonstrating the vast potential of bioplastics in home design.
By manipulating the Procel formula, Natural Material Studio also produced more rigid items like a dining table that transformed into an organic shape as it dried. "The design objects pushed the boundaries of what these materials could do," Bonnie Hvillum noted. "Making them structural opened up new possibilities for us."
White Utopia not only showcased the practical applications of biomaterials but also challenged conventional ideas about sustainability and design, paving the way for a future where living spaces were both beautiful and environmentally responsible.
