Sustainable Design
Shaantika
Shaantika is an exploration into sustainable acoustic panels, using waste materials like sawdust and coffee grounds to create eco-friendly pads that reduce noise while enhancing interior spaces.
Year :
2025
Industry :
Sustainability Design
Project Duration :
6 weeks
SHAANTIKA AT A GLANCE:
Shaantika began as a material exploration, where I challenged myself to design acoustic panels without relying on synthetic materials like PET or fiberglass. I experimented with everyday waste such as sawdust and coffee grounds, testing how they could be transformed into something both functional and expressive. The project pushed me to think about sustainability not just as a material choice, but as a design mindset. Through small-scale prototyping and iteration, Shaantika became a way for me to connect material honesty with acoustic performance, showing how design can create calm while reducing waste.
DESIGN PROBLEM :
Most acoustic panels available today are made from synthetic materials like PET and fiberglass. While they reduce noise, they are unsustainable, hard to recycle, and usually treated as hidden elements in a room rather than designed features.
I wanted to challenge this by asking: what if acoustic panels could be both sustainable and expressive? The goal became to design panels using waste materials that not only absorb sound but also bring texture, warmth, and calmness into interior spaces.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS :
Benchmarking Existing Solutions
I began by analyzing conventional acoustic panels commonly used in offices, classrooms, and studios. Most are made of fiberglass or PET fibers compressed into sheets. While they are effective in reducing reverberation, they come with three key limitations:
Unsustainable production petroleum-based, high energy footprint.
Difficult disposal hard to recycle or biodegrade.
Aesthetic compromise usually plain, neutral colored panels that hide behind walls rather than enhance them.
This highlighted a gap: acoustic solutions that combine sustainability with visual character.
Material Exploration
To address this, I turned to waste resources like sawdust and coffee grounds materials that are widely available, inexpensive, and often discarded. I experimented with different natural binders and ratios to test formability, surface finish, and durability.
Sawdust samples: Strong structure and lighter color, but prone to swelling in humid conditions.
Coffee-ground samples: Unique dark texture and aroma, though more brittle and fragile.
Mixed blends: Offered balance in density and surface quality; potential for modular tiles with varied tones.
Key Insights
Material honesty matters The natural textures of sawdust and coffee grounds made the panels visually engaging, encouraging them to be shown rather than hidden.
Sustainability isn’t just substitution It requires rethinking not only the material itself but also the product’s lifecycle (ease of replacement, biodegradability, modularity).
Design opportunity Instead of designing panels to disappear, there was potential to design them as visible, calming elements that enrich interiors.
Concept Development
After experimenting with the materials, I wanted to see how they could work as acoustic panels. My aim wasn’t only to reduce noise, but also to make the panels modular and adaptable, so they could fit into different wall layouts.
I began with sketches of simple geometric forms like circles and squares. The square format stood out because it was straightforward, easy to repeat, and flexible to arrange in both grid and staggered patterns. Moving into CAD models, I explored thickness, edge detail, and how the panels could connect to form larger surfaces.
Through these explorations, I realized that Shaantika could stay minimal and calming by using a familiar square geometry, while the natural textures of sawdust and coffee grounds made each panel unique in its own way.
FINAL OUTCOME :
The outcome of Shaantika is a set of modular acoustic panels made from sawdust and coffee-ground composites. Each piece highlights the raw textures and tones of the material, turning what is usually hidden behind walls into a visible and expressive interior element.
Using a square format, the panels can be tiled in grids or offset layouts, making them flexible for different wall sizes and applications. Their surfaces carry unique imperfections that add character, giving each panel its own identity while working as part of a larger system.
Although these remain small-scale prototypes, Shaantika demonstrates how waste materials can be transformed into functional and aesthetically engaging products, opening new possibilities for sustainable acoustic solutions.
REFLECTION / LEARNINGS
Shaantika was my first deep dive into material-driven design, and it taught me how much possibility lies in experimenting with what we usually call “waste.” Working with sawdust and coffee grounds showed me that sustainability isn’t just about replacing one material with another, but about rethinking the entire product and its role in a space.
I wasn’t able to carry out full acoustic performance testing within the project timeline, which left some questions about technical validation unanswered. But this limitation became a valuable lesson: design isn’t always about finishing with a perfect product, it’s about uncovering directions worth pursuing further.
What I take away most is the confidence to keep exploring raw materials, the patience to learn through failed samples, and the importance of balancing function, aesthetics, and responsibility in design.
NEXT STEPS
If I had the opportunity to continue Shaantika, my focus would be on moving from material prototypes to validated products. The immediate next steps would include:
Acoustic performance testing : measuring absorption and NRC values in a lab setting.
Durability improvements : experimenting with natural coatings or treatments to improve moisture resistance and surface stability.
Fire safety validation : exploring eco-friendly additives to meet safety standards for interior applications.
Scaling production : refining the process for consistency, repeatability, and cost efficiency.
Interior integration : testing installation methods and creating larger tiled layouts in real environments.
More Projects
Sustainable Design
Shaantika
Shaantika is an exploration into sustainable acoustic panels, using waste materials like sawdust and coffee grounds to create eco-friendly pads that reduce noise while enhancing interior spaces.
Year :
2025
Industry :
Sustainability Design
Project Duration :
6 weeks
SHAANTIKA AT A GLANCE:
Shaantika began as a material exploration, where I challenged myself to design acoustic panels without relying on synthetic materials like PET or fiberglass. I experimented with everyday waste such as sawdust and coffee grounds, testing how they could be transformed into something both functional and expressive. The project pushed me to think about sustainability not just as a material choice, but as a design mindset. Through small-scale prototyping and iteration, Shaantika became a way for me to connect material honesty with acoustic performance, showing how design can create calm while reducing waste.
DESIGN PROBLEM :
Most acoustic panels available today are made from synthetic materials like PET and fiberglass. While they reduce noise, they are unsustainable, hard to recycle, and usually treated as hidden elements in a room rather than designed features.
I wanted to challenge this by asking: what if acoustic panels could be both sustainable and expressive? The goal became to design panels using waste materials that not only absorb sound but also bring texture, warmth, and calmness into interior spaces.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS :
Benchmarking Existing Solutions
I began by analyzing conventional acoustic panels commonly used in offices, classrooms, and studios. Most are made of fiberglass or PET fibers compressed into sheets. While they are effective in reducing reverberation, they come with three key limitations:
Unsustainable production petroleum-based, high energy footprint.
Difficult disposal hard to recycle or biodegrade.
Aesthetic compromise usually plain, neutral colored panels that hide behind walls rather than enhance them.
This highlighted a gap: acoustic solutions that combine sustainability with visual character.
Material Exploration
To address this, I turned to waste resources like sawdust and coffee grounds materials that are widely available, inexpensive, and often discarded. I experimented with different natural binders and ratios to test formability, surface finish, and durability.
Sawdust samples: Strong structure and lighter color, but prone to swelling in humid conditions.
Coffee-ground samples: Unique dark texture and aroma, though more brittle and fragile.
Mixed blends: Offered balance in density and surface quality; potential for modular tiles with varied tones.
Key Insights
Material honesty matters The natural textures of sawdust and coffee grounds made the panels visually engaging, encouraging them to be shown rather than hidden.
Sustainability isn’t just substitution It requires rethinking not only the material itself but also the product’s lifecycle (ease of replacement, biodegradability, modularity).
Design opportunity Instead of designing panels to disappear, there was potential to design them as visible, calming elements that enrich interiors.
Concept Development
After experimenting with the materials, I wanted to see how they could work as acoustic panels. My aim wasn’t only to reduce noise, but also to make the panels modular and adaptable, so they could fit into different wall layouts.
I began with sketches of simple geometric forms like circles and squares. The square format stood out because it was straightforward, easy to repeat, and flexible to arrange in both grid and staggered patterns. Moving into CAD models, I explored thickness, edge detail, and how the panels could connect to form larger surfaces.
Through these explorations, I realized that Shaantika could stay minimal and calming by using a familiar square geometry, while the natural textures of sawdust and coffee grounds made each panel unique in its own way.
FINAL OUTCOME :
The outcome of Shaantika is a set of modular acoustic panels made from sawdust and coffee-ground composites. Each piece highlights the raw textures and tones of the material, turning what is usually hidden behind walls into a visible and expressive interior element.
Using a square format, the panels can be tiled in grids or offset layouts, making them flexible for different wall sizes and applications. Their surfaces carry unique imperfections that add character, giving each panel its own identity while working as part of a larger system.
Although these remain small-scale prototypes, Shaantika demonstrates how waste materials can be transformed into functional and aesthetically engaging products, opening new possibilities for sustainable acoustic solutions.
REFLECTION / LEARNINGS
Shaantika was my first deep dive into material-driven design, and it taught me how much possibility lies in experimenting with what we usually call “waste.” Working with sawdust and coffee grounds showed me that sustainability isn’t just about replacing one material with another, but about rethinking the entire product and its role in a space.
I wasn’t able to carry out full acoustic performance testing within the project timeline, which left some questions about technical validation unanswered. But this limitation became a valuable lesson: design isn’t always about finishing with a perfect product, it’s about uncovering directions worth pursuing further.
What I take away most is the confidence to keep exploring raw materials, the patience to learn through failed samples, and the importance of balancing function, aesthetics, and responsibility in design.
NEXT STEPS
If I had the opportunity to continue Shaantika, my focus would be on moving from material prototypes to validated products. The immediate next steps would include:
Acoustic performance testing : measuring absorption and NRC values in a lab setting.
Durability improvements : experimenting with natural coatings or treatments to improve moisture resistance and surface stability.
Fire safety validation : exploring eco-friendly additives to meet safety standards for interior applications.
Scaling production : refining the process for consistency, repeatability, and cost efficiency.
Interior integration : testing installation methods and creating larger tiled layouts in real environments.
More Projects
Sustainable Design
Shaantika
Shaantika is an exploration into sustainable acoustic panels, using waste materials like sawdust and coffee grounds to create eco-friendly pads that reduce noise while enhancing interior spaces.
Year :
2025
Industry :
Sustainability Design
Project Duration :
6 weeks
SHAANTIKA AT A GLANCE:
Shaantika began as a material exploration, where I challenged myself to design acoustic panels without relying on synthetic materials like PET or fiberglass. I experimented with everyday waste such as sawdust and coffee grounds, testing how they could be transformed into something both functional and expressive. The project pushed me to think about sustainability not just as a material choice, but as a design mindset. Through small-scale prototyping and iteration, Shaantika became a way for me to connect material honesty with acoustic performance, showing how design can create calm while reducing waste.
DESIGN PROBLEM :
Most acoustic panels available today are made from synthetic materials like PET and fiberglass. While they reduce noise, they are unsustainable, hard to recycle, and usually treated as hidden elements in a room rather than designed features.
I wanted to challenge this by asking: what if acoustic panels could be both sustainable and expressive? The goal became to design panels using waste materials that not only absorb sound but also bring texture, warmth, and calmness into interior spaces.
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS :
Benchmarking Existing Solutions
I began by analyzing conventional acoustic panels commonly used in offices, classrooms, and studios. Most are made of fiberglass or PET fibers compressed into sheets. While they are effective in reducing reverberation, they come with three key limitations:
Unsustainable production petroleum-based, high energy footprint.
Difficult disposal hard to recycle or biodegrade.
Aesthetic compromise usually plain, neutral colored panels that hide behind walls rather than enhance them.
This highlighted a gap: acoustic solutions that combine sustainability with visual character.
Material Exploration
To address this, I turned to waste resources like sawdust and coffee grounds materials that are widely available, inexpensive, and often discarded. I experimented with different natural binders and ratios to test formability, surface finish, and durability.
Sawdust samples: Strong structure and lighter color, but prone to swelling in humid conditions.
Coffee-ground samples: Unique dark texture and aroma, though more brittle and fragile.
Mixed blends: Offered balance in density and surface quality; potential for modular tiles with varied tones.
Key Insights
Material honesty matters The natural textures of sawdust and coffee grounds made the panels visually engaging, encouraging them to be shown rather than hidden.
Sustainability isn’t just substitution It requires rethinking not only the material itself but also the product’s lifecycle (ease of replacement, biodegradability, modularity).
Design opportunity Instead of designing panels to disappear, there was potential to design them as visible, calming elements that enrich interiors.
Concept Development
After experimenting with the materials, I wanted to see how they could work as acoustic panels. My aim wasn’t only to reduce noise, but also to make the panels modular and adaptable, so they could fit into different wall layouts.
I began with sketches of simple geometric forms like circles and squares. The square format stood out because it was straightforward, easy to repeat, and flexible to arrange in both grid and staggered patterns. Moving into CAD models, I explored thickness, edge detail, and how the panels could connect to form larger surfaces.
Through these explorations, I realized that Shaantika could stay minimal and calming by using a familiar square geometry, while the natural textures of sawdust and coffee grounds made each panel unique in its own way.
FINAL OUTCOME :
The outcome of Shaantika is a set of modular acoustic panels made from sawdust and coffee-ground composites. Each piece highlights the raw textures and tones of the material, turning what is usually hidden behind walls into a visible and expressive interior element.
Using a square format, the panels can be tiled in grids or offset layouts, making them flexible for different wall sizes and applications. Their surfaces carry unique imperfections that add character, giving each panel its own identity while working as part of a larger system.
Although these remain small-scale prototypes, Shaantika demonstrates how waste materials can be transformed into functional and aesthetically engaging products, opening new possibilities for sustainable acoustic solutions.
REFLECTION / LEARNINGS
Shaantika was my first deep dive into material-driven design, and it taught me how much possibility lies in experimenting with what we usually call “waste.” Working with sawdust and coffee grounds showed me that sustainability isn’t just about replacing one material with another, but about rethinking the entire product and its role in a space.
I wasn’t able to carry out full acoustic performance testing within the project timeline, which left some questions about technical validation unanswered. But this limitation became a valuable lesson: design isn’t always about finishing with a perfect product, it’s about uncovering directions worth pursuing further.
What I take away most is the confidence to keep exploring raw materials, the patience to learn through failed samples, and the importance of balancing function, aesthetics, and responsibility in design.
NEXT STEPS
If I had the opportunity to continue Shaantika, my focus would be on moving from material prototypes to validated products. The immediate next steps would include:
Acoustic performance testing : measuring absorption and NRC values in a lab setting.
Durability improvements : experimenting with natural coatings or treatments to improve moisture resistance and surface stability.
Fire safety validation : exploring eco-friendly additives to meet safety standards for interior applications.
Scaling production : refining the process for consistency, repeatability, and cost efficiency.
Interior integration : testing installation methods and creating larger tiled layouts in real environments.