A South Korean design team transforms discarded eggshells into Re:shell, a biodegradable series of modular, interlocking brick-like elements. The material leverages eggshells' calcium carbonate content to create a zero-waste composite suitable for small products and large-scale architecture. Production includes washing, drying, grinding shells into powder, then combining with natural additives such as red clay, wheat bran, and straw to improve durability, texture, flexibility, and weight. The Living Design Lab at Seoul National University combines traditional Korean architectural philosophy with material science to address a national construction waste crisis, where construction materials comprise 45% of total waste. The blocks biodegrade and safely return to nature.
A team of South Korean designers transforms discarded eggshells into Re:shell, a biodegradable building material designed as a series of modular, interlocking brick-like elements. Conceived to combat the nation's rising construction waste, the project utilizes the natural properties of eggshells to create a zero-waste composite with applications ranging from small products to large-scale architecture. The blocks safely return to nature at the end of its life cycle, serving as a sustainable solution to a pressing urban problem in South Korea.
The project began as a response to South Korea's rapid industrialization and urbanization, shaped by large-scale construction from the 1970s and 80s. As many of these aging structures are slated for redevelopment, the nation faces a significant waste management challenge, with construction materials accounting for 45% of the nation's total waste. The design team, part of the Living Design Lab at Seoul National University - Department of Design, addresses this issue by merging traditional Korean architectural philosophy with a new material science.
The team chose eggshells as the core material for their abundance and ease of collection from local bakeries and restaurants. Crucially, the main component of an eggshell is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), a key ingredient in cement that provides strong binding and hardening qualities. The production process involves washing, drying, and grinding the shells into a fine powder, which is then combined with natural additives to enhance its properties.
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