This is Loofah?

This-Is-Loofah is an innovative furniture project exploring loofah as a sustainable design material. By combining loofah with customized bioplastics, we have created functional, eco-friendly furniture. Our project demonstrates loofah’s potential to reduce reliance on traditional materials and minimize waste by utilizing an underused resource. We aim to promote loofah as a sustainable alternative, addressing natural resource over-exploitation and contributing to a circular economy. Additionally, we seek to empower rural farmers in China by providing new income sources, fostering economic growth. By showcasing loofah’s possibilities, we hope to inspire designers and industry professionals to adopt sustainable practices and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across design, architecture, agriculture, and environmental conservation.

This-Is-Loofah is an innovative furniture project exploring loofah as a sustainable design material. By combining loofah with customized bioplastics, we have created functional, eco-friendly furniture. Our project demonstrates loofah’s potential to reduce reliance on traditional materials and minimize waste by utilizing an underused resource. We aim to promote loofah as a sustainable alternative, addressing natural resource over-exploitation and contributing to a circular economy. Additionally, we seek to empower rural farmers in China by providing new income sources, fostering economic growth. By showcasing loofah’s possibilities, we hope to inspire designers and industry professionals to adopt sustainable practices and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across design, architecture, agriculture, and environmental conservation.

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2024
Grantee: Yu Jianing and Winnie Heung

Nomy is an interdisciplinary designer and HCI researcher. She received her BASc degree from HKU in 2023 and worked as a research and teaching assistant in the Department of Architecture after that. Nomy's passion lies in the convergence of technology and humanity, where she explores the transformative potential of advanced technology in engaging with the public and social realms. “This is Loofah?” is a collaborative project with Winnie Heung to raise awareness about the significance of natural materials. In this project, they discover and explore the natural plant, loofah, as a potential building material. Their background in design and technology enabled them to employ a combination of empirical experiments and aesthetic explorations throughout the project's development. Shortly, Nomy will join the MDes program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design to continue her study in the field of interaction design and responsive environments.

 

Winnie is an interdisciplinary designer with expertise in design, technology, and architecture. She earned a BASc degree in Design+ from HKU in 2023 and will continue her architectural studies at HKU in September 2024. After her bachelor's degree, Winnie delved into extended reality to explore the synergy between design and technology. She also developed an interest in material innovation, partnering with Nomy to launch the project "This is Loofah?". This initiative investigates loofah's potential as an alternative material for creating furniture pieces.