An ethical design studio based in Switzerland has found a way to transform discarded eggshells into stylish wall tiles, thus diverting waste from ending up in landfills and making the construction industry a more sustainable one.
“We know we’re in a race against time,” says Lay Koon Tan, co-founder of the design studio Nature Squared. “This is our small contribution toward buying us more time. Our hope is that we can make these materials available to the mass market at some point.”
To make the wall tiles, Nature Squared used discarded organic eggshells from kitchens and bakeries located on the island of Cebu, in the Philippines. The shells are then crushed, combined with a biding agent, and cured at room temperature. Natural dyes such as indigo, madder, and chlorophyllin are added before the composite is baked and finally cut into tiles. The result is tiles that are naturally strong, stable, water-resistant, and resistant to UV rays. Nature Squared aims to eventually use its tiles for flooring too.
