Max Lamb, a British designer renowned for his innovative use of materials, took a bold step towards sustainability with his exhibition title “Box.” Presented at Gallery Fumi in London last fall. The exhibition showcased a collection of 33 pieces of furniture crafted entirely from cardboard waste sourced from his studio. Through this project, Lamb seeked to demonstrate the structural capabilities of cardboard, challenging conventional perceptions of the material.
The “Box” exhibition showcased 23 chairs, along with larger items like a sofa and a dining table, all constructed using cardboard and a homemade glue made from flour and water.
The only decoration on these “upcycled” pieces came from stripes of paint made with mineral pigments and linseed oil, avoiding petroleum-based products. Lamb emphasized the sustainability of his approach, stating, “I’ve chosen a very simple, readily available and humble set of materials to make this collection. And all the pieces can be infinitely repaired.”
I’ve chosen a very simple, readily available and humble set of materials to make this collection. And all the pieces can be infinitely repaired.
Lamb’s dedication to using only waste cardboard —ranging from postage boxes to toilet rolls and contact lens packaging — ensures that no new materials were purchased for the project. This approach not only reduces waste but also underscores the potential of cardboard as a primary material rather than just a secondary one.
To create these sturdy pieces, Lamb often left the boxes largely intact, stacking them into various configurations and reinforcing them with internal cardboard lattices to ensure structural integrity. Offcuts from the process were transformed into papier-mâché, applied in up to 15 layers to form a supportive exoskeleton. “I’ve only obscured areas where it’s been necessary for structural requirements, rather than purely for aesthetics,” Lamb explaines.
One of the more inventive pieces in the collection is a chair formed from a rolled-up log of cardboard strips. Lamb carved a seat and backrest out of this cylinder, using papier-mâché to stabilize the chair and minimize waste. The use of plant-based materials, including cardboard made from wood pulp, wheatpaste glue, and linseed paint, means the entire collection is plastic-free.
This project marked a significant shift for Lamb, who is known for his work with polystyrene, such as in his “60 Chairs” project and his contribution to the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale. Lamb acknowledges this change, saying, “Although I’m not saying I’m never going to use that material again, I’ve been looking for an alternative. The hope is that it is the start of me weaning myself and hopefully my customers off synthetics.” By offering furniture made from cardboard, Lamb provides a sustainable alternative to his previous works, encouraging others to consider more eco-friendly options. “Me producing this new body of work speculatively will hopefully give people an option”, Lamb concludes.
Images © Thomas Joseph Wright