Making a bold statement on the regional architecture and design stage, the winner of The Influencer showcases the best in sustainable and creative design. CArrelé – The Calcium Brick Collection by Elaine Yan Ling Ng with Nature Squared is a worthy winner, with a design that transforms a ubiquitous waste product into a valuable and beautiful resource.

Created by British–Chinese textile designer and weaver Elaine Yan Ling Ng for Nature Squared (NSQ), CArrelé is a collection of multi-purpose floor and wall tiles that are made from eggshells. As a sustainable product it is a stand out and as an innovative idea it is singular in its focus to make change for the better.

As a supporter of the INDE.Awards, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) certainly understands the benefits of sustainability and as sponsor of The Influencer, the company takes the lead, reinforcing the importance of projects that influence design and make a difference to our world.

Rod Wiles, Director (Oceania), AHEC, commented, “We are delighted to be associated with this category. It has been created to reward those who push the boundaries not only of design but also of design thinking.

At AHEC we are constantly working with our members to develop better ways of managing, sourcing and processing hardwood timbers, continuing a culture that started with the pioneers. It’s this approach that means we still have a growing and thriving forest resource and will have for generations to come.

We are aware how the US approach is influencing forest management practices around the world and are therefore proud to be associated with those who share this passion for constantly thinking about how to contribute to influencing others for the benefit of our natural environment.”

The project, based in the Philippines, uses more than 3000 eggshells for each square metre of tiles. The eggshell waste is combined with a special bonding agent that meets standard industry specifications and, through the ‘egg-loop’ ecosystem and the formula developed by Ng, practical value is added to this waste material.

The CArrelé project is part of NSQ’s long-term commitment to transforming natural waste into useful materials through a circular design approach. With Ng’s research and NSQ’s artisan skills and technical knowledge, CArrelé – The Calcium Brick Collection is now a success.

Wiles remarked, “Elaine Yan Ling Ng should be congratulated for putting some of the talk about sustainable design into action. Starting with a sustainably sourced material means we can move away from the environmental post rationalisation that we so often see in the design industry.

CArrelé is a clear demonstration that thinking carefully and innovatively about material choice results not only in design outcomes that are best for the planet but ones that do not compromise aesthetics. It’s a simply stunning product.”

The Collection comprises square and rectangular shapes is a range of earthy tones that range from cream to dark toast brown, while natural dye tiles employ such ingredients as indigo, chlorophyllin and madder. Hybrid tones are achieved through a combination of natural dying and toasting.

CArrelé is part of an ongoing project devised by NSQ in collaboration with Ng and is the forerunner of a system that can be replicated in the future with a variety of by-products and waste materials.

Congratulations to Ng and NSQ for daring to think outside the box – and for AHEC in supporting The Influencer.

And for all the excitement of the INDE.Awards catch up on the gala event here.