​Nestr Eco Beds

  • Project: Design for Sustainability 2 Studio Class, Individual project (12 weeks)

  • Assignment; Investigate, develop and execute a specific design objective that provides solutions for sustainability. Identify problems with current design practice of interest, develop strategies for implementing goals by critically analyzing entire life-cycles, including raw materials, manufacturing, consumer behavior an disposal.

  • Recognition: IDEA Bronze (Jul. 2011): Opportunity Green Conference Exhibition (Sep. 10)

 

Nest on Nestrs

'Nestr' is a healthy lifestyle and behavior changer: This modular bedding system allows customers to make smarter choices and minimize environmental impact without compromising comfort, hygiene, or size. Nestr's unique molded bamboo spring structure replaces traditional bed furniture, box springs, and metal springs inside of the mattress, while a five inch natural latex foam pad sits on top of the bamboo structure to provide comfort.

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how it works

'Nestr' is a healthy lifestyle and behavior changer: This modular bedding system allows customers to make smarter choices and minimize environmental impact without compromising comfort, hygiene, or size. Nestr's unique molded bamboo spring structure replaces traditional bed furniture, box springs, and metal springs inside of the mattress, while a five inch natural latex foam pad sits on top of the bamboo structure to provide comfort.The modular system provides flexibility: to increase the size of the bed, simply add extra Nestr units rather than disposing of the whole bed and purchasing a new one. Nestr units can also be repurposed and used as furniture easily converting into seating or tables. 3D-spacer polyester fabric covering the natural latex mattress core allows easy ventilation and can be washed to maintain a healthy sleeping environment. Since there is no commingled material, Nestr can be easily recycled after its life cycle.

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Challenges

The current mattress market focuses on comfort and the consumer's budget, while health and sustainability are more ambiguous marketing fads. In reality, there are numerous chemicals involved in the manufacture of mattresses, and only the manufacturing scraps are taken by recycling contractors. Most used mattresses are discarded by retailers with very little likelihood of recycling. This is not only because of a lack of alternative uses, but also due to how the product is manufactured, assembled, and maintained.

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Design solutions

  • Provide a shortened production cycle with less waste

  • Simplify manufacturing and assembly process

  • Lower transportation cost

  • Increase inventory circulation

  • Provide retailers with expanded sales opportunities for repurposed furniture with indoor and outdoor usage, harnessing the emerging $6.2B "Cocooning" trend.