“I’d like to see people using technology to promote environmental sustainability,” says Łucja Paszkowska, who won third prize in the 7R “Warehouse of Art: Young Art for the Planet” competition in the ergonomic seating category for her design of a seat made from sedum.
What inspired you to create your competition entry?
Łucja Paszkowska: Nature . It is the source of inspiration for all my projects. I see in it a sense of boundlessness, in the sense that there is a point where human imagination ends, but nature has no such limit. Nature is also both coherent and diverse. It doesn’t introduce chaos; it brings peace and balance. This is very important in my work. I would like human designs to emulate nature’s designs, so that they contain no superfluous elements, excess, or ostentation. The characteristics of a project should also stem from something; it should be well-thought-out and functional. In my design work, I also focus on the user; I want what I create to resonate with people.
Nature, then, plays a prominent role in your work, but is it only nature?
With my project, I wanted to show that it is possible to combine technology, ecology, and humanity—that these three distinct spheres can come together to form a whole. This is the principle I adhere to in my work. I would like to see people use technology to promote ecological sustainability. Well-thought-out designs can influence people’s awareness and emphasize that everything around us serves a purpose. When using the right resources and materials, these projects do not have to be harmful to the environment, while still meeting the user’s needs.
The design of this ergonomic seat incorporates a planter with a sedum plant. Why this particular plant?
Sedum is a fantastic plant—a succulent that can survive in almost any conditions. This plant absorbs water and carbon dioxide, which benefits the environment. When grown in a pot with the right system, sedum requires little care, is resistant to frost and wind, and delights the eye with various shades of green throughout the year.
The seat frame, in turn, is made of flat steel bars, ensuring a sturdy structure. Steel has a very long service life and, when disposed of properly, can be recycled. Wooden planks treated with linseed oil are fastened to the frame. The wooden panels are made of alder, which withstands changing weather conditions well.
Could you tell us what projects you're currently working on?
I’m refining the design of a conference screen intended for video conferencing. It’s meant to be both functional and eco-friendly—and that’s the aspect I’m currently focusing on. It’s important to me that this product be naturally biodegradable. Nature has been creating for hundreds of millions of years and does not destroy itself. I want my designs to be good for the ecosystem, and in my work I aim to emulate nature’s ways and avoid introducing unnecessary items into the market that clutter the world.
About the Warehouse of Art Competition
The 7R competition, “Warehouse of Art: Young Art for the Planet,” was open to students and graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Its theme was “Technology. Ecology. Human. Coexistence.” The competition task was to create an eco-themed applied art project in one of three categories: an ergonomic seat, a mural for a fire hydrant, and an eco-friendly 7R gadget. A total of 26 entries were submitted to the competition. The winners’ works are available at7rwarehouseofart.pl.
