MODUBOX

How can we redesign something for greater output than input and for college students with low sustainable habits to incentivize sustainable practices?

ModuBox was created in collaboration with Design for America (DFA), a social impact club at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Focused on sustainability, our team set out to address the overwhelming amount of discarded furniture that accumulates during college move-outs each year. The result is ModuBox, a sustainably sourced moving box that transforms into modular shelving—designed to seamlessly adapt to the ever-changing and nomadic lifestyles of college students.

Sustainability Statement

For us, sustainability centers around the key idea of creating something with output greater than its input. We justify the benefit of Modubox by considering each stage of product life.

Resources: The two materials used to create Modubox are cardboard and beeswax. Cardboard is made of paper pulp from recycled paper and wood chips. The 100% pure, unprocessed beeswax is sourced from organic bee farms, through the seller VALLYDOM.

Processing: To make cardboard recycled paper fibers and wood chips are processed into a pulp and formed into sheets.

Manufacturing: To bring Modubox to life, the cardboard is first laser cut in the Brown Design Workshop using optimal cuts that minimize waste cardboard. Next, comes a wax finish. Finally, each user puts Modubox together themself, arranging in the desired form.

Distribution: Modubox is locally distributed by Brown Bookstore and RISD store to university students on campus, and therefore energy associated with transport can be disregarded.

Use: Seamlessly transformed from moving box to shelf, Modubox follows you throughout your college years and beyond.

End of life: Since Modubox is made of cardboard and biodegradable beeswax, it can be recycled and broken down into paper fibers, which are then made into new paper products.

Prototyping and Iteration

Finish: Beeswax + Natural Dyes

How can we make the shelves more sturdy and water-resistant while addressing the smell of cardboard?

Final Product

Graphic Design and Branding