1. BRANCHING OUT : Mariah Bormann
The goal of this project was to create a light fixture that has not been made before, that is unique, and sustainable and green. According to the sustainable design lecture from class it is “design to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants.” Branching Out is made from natural and post-consumer materials which help eliminate the impact made during the manufacturing of a regular light found at the store. Finding the branch on the ground instead of cutting it off the tree eliminates the need to cut one down in order to use part of it. Using the rest of the yarn that I had sitting around saves it from eventually being thrown away and ending up in a landfill from not being used.
The yarn balls were made using yarn, cornstarch and glue. Yarn is a renewable resource and the product itself is sustainable. Since yarn is animal fibers, depending on how the yarn is spun it has almost no negative environmental impact. If spun using an old machine, there Is no impact other than getting the yarn to a store; however, if made in a factory there is a larger amount of impact due to the energy/electricity used to run the factory. A for the glue portion on the yearn balls like most families with children there is probably glue bottles from elementary school laying around that will never get used up. Throwing glue into the trash rather than using it or getting rid of it in a proper way can be harmful to the environment. Glue is a chemical based product created by man therefore manufacturing done in making the bottle and the glue itself. Elmer's glue website states that their glue is “synthesized (These chemicals were originally obtained or manufactured from petroleum, natural gas and other raw materials found in Nature.” The chemicals in it can absorb into the soil and possibly go into our food. Though the product may come from nature, making the packaging and glue in a factory is not environmentally friendly. One eco-friendly part of the product is that the bottles are recyclable, however if a consumer is not aware of this they, like most, will just throw it in the garbage.
Using a branch as the hanging source of the light fixture creates a light organic feel. For example, if the part that the yarn balls were connected to was iron or piping there would be a clash of heavy elements with an organic feel. Using the branch as a base the eye moves down one part to the yarn ball and then around each individual branch. Movement and a playful sense are also brought into the lighting fixture since the colors are representation of a cotton plant, white and brown. The entire light fixture is a visual representation of what can be done with the random items found in or around your house.
Branching Out can be placed in many different spaces such as a child's playroom, bathroom, small library/reading nook or even in a bedroom. Since the light fixture is non symmetrical it creates curiosity which fits well with a child’s personality.
Once the light fixture is done being used, the branch can be made into another DIY project or it can be used for firewood to keep you warm. The yarn balls can be reused as year round or seasonal décor for around the house whether you out them in bowls or vases. Not only can they be reused as décor but you could spray paint them different colors to changed up the light fixtures feel whenever you felt like it.
BRANCHING OUT : Mariah Bormann