Environmentally Thoughtful Waste Paper Decor from Studio ILA

Hilal Gungor, a Turkish paper artist, says every day is Earth Day and I couldn't agree more. To carry this pearl of wisdom into her work, she founded Studio ILA two years ago, where she focuses on sustainability through the recycling of waste paper and the transformation of everyday objects.

 

 

Hilal has a degree in Industrial Product Design and worked as a product designer and technical expert in the automotive and machine industry for nearly two decades before relocating to Lyon, France due to her husband's job. This is where she started Studio ILA.

 

 

Most often Hilal works with cellulose and clay to create rustic, yet chic home accessories, such as vases, lamps, bowls, stools, and even side tables in a manner that supports the ecological aspect of modern design. 

 

 

 

She uses natural dyes to color objects made from a waste paper pulp mixture via a process that she has developed via trial and error.

 

I invited Hilal to tell us about this process:

Egg cartons, cardboard (Amazon boxes, for example), magazines, and junk mail are just a few types of household waste that are transformed via my organic process. I will start by telling you that knowing the material is very important. I studied for a long time just to learn the subject, as the density and quantity of the ingredients are critical.

 

First of all, it is necessary to separate the papers according to type; sometimes I use a mixture of all of them. As with the ancient technique of papier mache, the collected paper must be soaked until the cellulose fibers are further separated by gentle mixing. Natural adhesive is added and the pulp is then ready for the product to be designed.

side tables

I want to push the waste material to question expectations of sustainable design. Each item is unique. I do a lot of sketching to develop my ideas and I also experiment with paints before turning the ideas into useful 3D shapes.

 

 

Sometimes I combine my own materials with recycled products that I find in secondhand shops. My goal is to prepare special projects for interior architects in order to spread the idea of sustainability in home decor. 

 

Hilal will be participating in Lyon's Galerie Pop Up France on October 14, located in front of Pilo Hotel, 10 Mnt des Carmélites.

 

Hilal Gungor

 

You'll find Studio ILA on Instagram.