Under the direction of designer Christophe Guberan, students have explored various options for borrowable items. Particularly relevant for temporary-use clothing, accessories, and furniture, this approach enabled the young designers to benefit from FREITAG’s expertise in circular economy, material upcycling, services, product development and disruptive innovation.
“Design has the responsibility and power to make positive changes towards a circular future. We shared our know-how with the students to raise their awareness of this vision”, says FREITAG Circle Lead Product Design and Development Tu Van Giang.
Seeking to fundamentally alter the consumer experience through product design itself, ECAL and FREITAG invite consumers to rethink their relationship with goods while adopting a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle.
F-BÖÖTLE
by Joab Schneiter
In Switzerland, river drifting is a popular activity for groups of friends and families. As soon as the temperatures rise, everyone grabs their paddles and pumps and drifts down the river in brightly-coloured rubber boats. Unfortunately, many of these inflatable boats are abandoned on the banks, sometimes after just one use. The problem has become so serious that some towns, like Bern, have taken action by installing massive permanent containers to help maintain the shores of the Aare river. The inflatable F-BÖÖTLE, made from a tractor inner tube combined with truck tarp and safety belts, offers a sustainable alternative for this summertime water adventure. Designed to be easily inflated and deflated, it can be effortlessly rolled up into a backpack for convenient carrying.
FLAT BOOTS
by Noah Stanley
, Titouan Longatte
Most of us own rain boots that we only use a few days a year, according to the weather. FLAT BOOTS are waterproof overshoes that you can borrow for as long as you need them for those rainy days, outdoor activities, or if you’ve forgotten your boots when you’re on the road. The overshoe features a thermo-welded heavy-duty tarp upper and a rubber sole. Its unique split sole design allows the boots to be rolled up for easy storage and optimised production. Combined with the NEBULA poncho, they would keep you dry while you’re out and about.
shift
by François Ader
When we move from one home to another, we consume a lot of items in a short space of time — cardboard boxes, bags, all sorts of tapes, bubble wrap, etc. — most of which end up in the rubbish or, at best, in a recycling bin. SHIFT is a reusable moving kit made up of a series of sturdy, box-shaped tarp bags ranging in size from 43L, 62L and 82L, plus a long, thin bag for all bulky items. You could borrow as many bags as you need from your local FREITAG store, for a carefree move.
PACK-A-ROOM
by Maëlle Roten
, Alice Graff
& Max Dressendörfer
Thought for students who are most likely to move from one flat to another, study abroad for a semester or have an extra flatmate for a few months, PACK-A-ROOM is a collection of flatpack furniture that is easy to transport and assemble. Made from B-grade airbag and tarp, fitted on a frame made of standard pipes and robust Maker Pipe connectors; the use of modular and detachable connecting parts allows for durable, expandable systems and extends the life cycle of the furniture. Comprising a bed, wardrobe and chair, you would have everything you need to feel at home in just a few turns of hex key.
FIESTA KIT
by Oriana Gonzalez Fernandez
It’s party time! You go to the corner shop to buy everything you need: disposable plates, disposable glasses, disposable napkins and, of course, decorations, garlands and disposable balloons, all of which will be thrown away at the end of the day. The FIESTA KIT offers an alternative to disposable garlands and balloons. Made from truck tarp off-cuts from FREITAG bag production, rolled up in a handy pouch, it is a unique and colourful decoration option for celebrating more consciously.
