Bioinspiration
Taking our cues from mother nature
The practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges.
97% of an eggshell is made of calcium carbonate bound together by protein. The rigidness of the eggshell depends on the amount of mineral and protein it contains. The triple-layer structure of an eggshell is strong enough to protect the delicate interior, while still allowing for oxygen to pass through the shell itself.
Some eggs can actually be repurposed. For thousands of years, the San of the Kalahari Desert have used ostrich eggs as portable vessels for water. When the egg breaks, its proteins degrade naturally and calcium carbonate returns to the earth. The egg is truly a zero-waste vessel.
Products that are Made From Stone emulate the egg in several ways. We control the rigidity of our packages by adjusting the ratio of calcium carbonate to binders, giving us greater variation in the products we can make. We are also experimenting with asymmetrical layering, to help with durability and flexibility. Finally, and most importantly, our products are designed to either be reused or degrade naturally, thereby maintaining Nature’s balance.