Recycled Beauty: Woojai Lee’s Paper Bricks Bring Innovation to Modern Design
Woojai Lee reimagines recycled paper with his Paper Bricks, transforming discarded newsprint into tactile building blocks that blend strength with a soft, marbled aesthetic. With these sustainable materials, Lee proves that waste can be a foundation for innovation, artfully combining eco-consciousness with functional design.
Crafting Beauty from Waste
Each Paper Brick begins with a simple material: recycled newspaper. The pulp is mixed with glue and pressed into moulds, resulting in bricks that feel both familiar and unique. The marble-like finish evokes traditional stone, while the warm texture of paper adds an unexpected softness. Designed for versatility, the bricks can be cut, drilled, and glued like wood, showcasing their potential across architecture, furniture, and interiors.
To demonstrate their functional beauty, Lee created a collection of benches and tables using Paper Bricks. These pieces not only show the material’s durability but invite touch—blurring the lines between utility and sculpture.
Elevating Recycling to New Heights
The brilliance of Lee’s work lies in its thoughtful response to the environmental challenges surrounding paper waste. Despite its recyclability, paper degrades with each cycle, limiting its reuse. Paper Bricks offer a second life for this material, turning discarded newspapers into something both functional and artistic. This innovation highlights a crucial shift in the design world: sustainability need not come at the cost of beauty or practicality.
Paper Bricks in Practice: COS Collaboration
In a recent collaboration with fashion brand COS, Woojai Lee’s Paper Bricks were showcased in the design of their Gwanggyo store in Seoul. The recycled bricks not only adorn the store's facade but are integral to the interior—shaping wall dividers, shelving, and custom furniture. The arch perforations in the bricks add a sculptural quality, turning a simple material into a standout architectural element.
This partnership reflects a shared ethos of minimalism, sustainability, and innovation. Together, COS and Lee create a harmonious blend of design and environmental responsibility, proving that recycled materials can elevate both form and function.
Redefining Recycled Materials in Design
Woojai Lee’s Paper Bricks aren’t just about reusing waste—they redefine how we think about materials in design. By challenging perceptions of durability and aesthetics, Lee offers a vision for the future where sustainability and creativity intersect seamlessly.
