Studio Gorm Designs a Superior Doorstop
Sustainable materials meet improved UX in this reimagined everyday object.
1Shortcomings of Traditional Doorstops
While wedge-shaped doorstops have been used for centuries, they lack in both functionality and aesthetics. Studio Gorm founders John and Wonhee Arndt worked to enhance the user experience of this mundane object. The design team aimed to create a better product with ergonomic form, storage solution when not in use, and eco-friendly materials.
2Sustainable Material Choices
The Stop doorstop is manufactured in Portugal at a shoe sole factory. Its main material consists of RCS-certified recycled rubber granules from industrial shoe sole waste. The rope component is made from GRS-certified polyester derived from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. These material choices align with circular economy principles.
3Easy Assembly and Recycling
A key feature of the design is that all components can be easily disassembled and recycled. At the product's end of life, users can separate parts for proper recycling channels. This approach provides a sustainable solution to the problem of traditional doorstops ending up in landfills.
4Packaging-Free Design Philosophy
The Stop doorstop stands out with its minimalist packaging approach. The product has no label and uses no disposable packaging materials. Instead, product information is printed on a reusable cotton pouch. This method aims to minimize packaging waste significantly.
5Production with Finnish Brand Pidat
The design is manufactured by Finnish brand Pidat, known for sustainable and functional home goods. Pidat's eco-friendly production standards and quality control processes are applied during manufacturing. This collaboration enables the design to reach commercial production stage.
6UX Improvements in Everyday Objects
The Stop project demonstrates how user experience can be enhanced in objects we take for granted. Designers rethought the doorstop's form to make it more ergonomic. They also included an integrated storage solution when not in use, simplifying users' lives.
7Contribution to Circular Economy
The design successfully applies circular economy principles by repurposing industrial and post-consumer waste into new products. This approach aims to increase resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact, contrasting with the traditional linear economic model (make-use-dispose). The Stop doorstop exemplifies this philosophy effectively.
8Impact on the Design Industry
Studio Gorm's project highlights the importance of sustainability in industrial design. It proves that even everyday objects can be redesigned with eco-friendly materials and circular economy principles. This approach serves as inspiration for other designers and manufacturers, potentially encouraging more sustainable practices across the industry.
Original article: Core77 — Studio Gorm'dan Daha İyi Bir Kapı Durdurucu Tasarımı