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Phase: Review

“GRIND The Re(all) Project" Low Cost Public School Furniture

A second life to premium materials transforming them into furniture that would have a real impact on the education of thousands of children.

Photo of Enrique Lopez
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In Mexico, as in almost all Latin American countries, there are many processes that still struggle to be standardized. In this project we attacked two of those main processes: recycling and standard school furniture.

By using the premium recycled material that Nike Grind makes available as a base, and in combination with other recycled materials (cardboard and plastic yarn) it is possible to create standard low-cost school furniture that meets the basic needs of children in public schools .

The current state of design of these school furniture is very poor. They are usually made of wood or plastic, both of very low quality, which makes them almost impossible to repair (very expensive) and their durability is very limited

The general idea is to make standard parts that are easily assembled (final product) and interchangeable (replaced) according to the client's final needs.

It is very important to make clear that the design of this student furniture is based on two fundamental premises: 

low cost|affordable price &

robustness|high quality final good



Company / Organization Name (if applicable)

Re(all)

Which Nike Grind materials will your idea utilize?

  • Rubber Outsoles
  • Rubber Flashings
  • Rubber Granulate
  • EVA Foam Injection Scraps
  • EVA Foam Flashings
  • EVA Foam Sheets & Blocks
  • EVA Foam Components
  • Laminated EVA Foam
  • Laminated PU Foam
  • Mixed Apparel Textile
  • Full Grain Leather Scraps
  • Synthetic Leather

How specifically will these materials be incorporated into your solution?

What is the current stage of development of your idea?

  • Research & Early Testing
  • Prototyping

Describe your target market. Who will benefit from your product?

Our target market are public elementary schools in developing countries (Latin America). With this project we can directly impact the quality of education of thousands of young people offering them furniture that helps them focus on learning and nothing else.

How will you scale your idea? Please describe in detail your plan to scale your concept.

Through a pilot program (5 elementary schools) we can validate the concept of design (robust, durability, ergonomics). Once approved and released by the schools, the program would be valid first at the municipal level and then at the state level, thus impacting hundreds of schools. Perhaps also the project can be complemented with the use of surfaces made on the basis of grind materials (available nowadays) in the floors of the classrooms and sports courts, according to the needs of each campus.

How is your idea innovative?

This concept is innovative because three different types of recycled materials (plastic yarn, cardboard and Grind materials) that are easily scalable are mixed in a final product. Using 3D printing as a basis for end product design, we can obtain shapes that are totally different from those currently obtained using these materials. The manufacturing processes that are used are simple and currently available, it is not necessary the input of large amounts of energy to obtain the final product.

Tell us about yourself and your team. What is your background and experience?

Josue Flores|Enrique Lopez Both mechanical engineers 6 & 8 years experience in design power train parts|automotive industry. Josue is a 3D CAD expert Catia&Creo Enrique is deep involved in the development of local suppliers & manufacturing tools

In what city are you located?

Puebla

In what country are you located?

MEXICO

What is your legal / organizational structure? (if applicable)

Partnership

Please describe how becoming a Top Idea will support the growth of your concept.

Becoming a top idea will allow us to start with the tooling and thus run the first pilot project in a real school, in addition to attract the attention of potential investors and end customers.
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conafe.jpg

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Photo of Nitya Nandini Sundaresan
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Hey! Just thought I'd say I really like your idea! Our project is very similar to this, and it's interesting to see a different perspective on classroom furniture.

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