Reinforced Recycled Paper
2021-2022
Six architecture students at the Mitnan Studio: Samar Aborami, Sharon Ezra, Tamar Lahav-Hatzor, Yuval Lilach, Rom Linkovsky, and Bar Menochin
Paper making guidance by Orna Hatzor
Written by Tamar Lahav-Hatzor, translated and edited by Orna Hatzor
In the winter of 2021-2022 a group of six students from the Architectural Department at NB School of Design in Haifa came to my paper making studio to work on a unique project. The assignment given them was to create a 1:1 pavilion on a topic of their choice. They chose to focus on recycling and sustainability and wanted to use one of the materials that produced the most waste in the world. After their research showed that plastic, construction waste and paper in all its forms generated the largest amount of waste, they elected to work with recycled paper.
At first, they experimented with ways of positioning papers with the help of external reinforcements, such as various ways of folding paper and using cables. However, they wanted to create paper that could carry its own weight and came up with an idea of making a type of hand made paper they named “Reinforced Recycled Paper” based on the same structural principle as reinforced concrete. The paper was to be made from two layers of recycled office paper with the addition of about 15% flax fiber for strength and plastic glue for flexibility. In between the two layers, they planned to put 6 plastic-coated electrical wires, which are light-weight, supple, and would prevent the paper from tearing, in addition to being cheap.
The process for making the reinforced paper was as follows:
First, they immersed of the shredded office paper in water, then put the shredded paper in the beater for 10 minutes, followed by another 5 minutes with the addition of preprepared flax and 1.5 cup of plastic glue mixed in a blender with 6 cups of water. The paper sheets were made using an A-2 wooden mould and deckle. After making the first layer of paper, the wires were positioned on the wet paper followed by another layer of paper. When 40 reinforced papers were made, they were put into a large press then into a paper dryer for about 3 days.
The students came once a week from mid-November until mid-January, producing 40 reinforced sheets each time, making 400 reinforced papers in total.
The students achieved their aim, creating two pavilion models out of reinforced papers that were folded and joined to create vertical walls without collapsing.
From the top: Rom checking the shredded paper before putting it into beater; Bar making paper; Tamar lets the water strain from the deckle; then couches the paper from the mould unto the flannel; the reinforced paper after drying; The group of students in front of one of the pavilions they created.