People use Lego to build miniature homes, vehicles or even robots. But a Korean design firm saw something in this colorful plastic brick beyond its toy appeal — a container that may double as food storage and building material.
The idea behind this so-called UNICEF brick: Used to distribute food and water in humanitarian emergencies, the bricks may later be filled with soil and sand, and stacked together to form a temporary shelter.
The UNICEF brick’s multi-purpose is on trend: Lately, we’ve seen several new products evidently designed to be useful beyond an emergency. This meeting of design, business and relief minds is truly promising.
Take, for instance, the Hemp 4 Haiti containers. The product, which is made of 100 percent hemp, was designed as storage of non-perishable food items. When not in use, it can be unwoven and used for other purposes, such as a mat for sleeping or a makeshift tent.
Or look at IVUHAP and The Dream Ball Project, both finalists in the 2011 INDEX: Awards.
IVUHAP is short for Increased Value for U.N. Humanitarian Aid Packaging, and was inspired by UNICEF’s work. The idea: Boxes carrying relief goods may be turned into shelves in refugee camps or health centers, or even into games and educational materials for children.
The Dream Ball Project, meanwhile, aims to provide footballs made of recycled relief packaging to children in disaster zones. Sports may keep kids away from drugs and other vices, the designers argue.
Creative and reusable packaging is not a new idea. But the newest generation of products puts a welcome spotlight on the impact social business can have on the world’s disadvantaged.
