In a project called Transparency, master students from Lund University School of Industrial Design developed glass products, with a focus on the use of this material applied in sustainable, cyclic systems for the future.

The students investigated linear systems “that make an ever-growing senseless use of our resources”, and offered alternatives made of glass, 31 in total.

The Glass Brick by Zhaoxi Huang offers a method for recycling coloured glass, which, unlike clear glass, cannot easily be recycled. Smashed pieces of coloured glass are encased in clear glass and can be used as artistic decoration or bathroom tiles.

A Drop of Glass explores the relationship between glass and moulds in the glass blowing process. Dai Min’s objects are blown with a copper sheet as mould. The projects reveals the softness of glass and malleability of the copper mould.

Riccardo Centazzo’s Sustainable Wiring System rethinks the way electricity is transported and distributed within the domestic sphere. Currently, wiring in the household uses mixed plastics and non-recyclable resources. This project uses tiles made of recycled glass. The tiles include a backplate that is attached to the wall and features a series of grooves to allow multiple copper wires to be installed freely, and a removable front face that covers the connections.

Several of the projects offered an alternative to current single-use packaging. Focus, for instance, is a refillable garden light powered by rapeseed oil that can be used instead of tea lights, which are made with aluminium, steel and paraffin. Vernissage is an alternative to plastic cups and paper plates used at events like exhibition openings, as the design allows the user to carry two things in one hand. There was also a project offering glass packaging for cleaning products, a glass supermarket yoghurt container, and even a glass alternative for the unrecyclable blister pack used for medicine.

Other projects form glass household objects, like a toilet brush holder and a toothbrush holder. For all projects, click here.

Photos: Lund University School of Industrial Design