Eggshell
Every crack leads to new possibilities – each fragment and shard moulded and transformed. Breathing new life into modern spaces, this revolutionary innovation turns natures delicate remnants into a force of imagination and application. Offering a perfect blend of style and sustainability, eggshell reimagines eco-consciousness as art. From elegant tiles to contemporary wall finishes, it proves that sophistication and environmental responsibility can coexist. In this fusion of elegance and nature, our vision for repurposing eggshell waste becomes a canvas for endless creativity and sustainable beauty.
The Eggshell story
Eggs offer more than just food – their broken shells provide a creative medium with limitless potential, exemplified by the ancient art of eggshell inlaying. Originating in East Asia, this intricate craft, passed down through generations, is a testament to patience, precision and artistic vision. Over centuries, skilled artisans have honed the technique, turning what was once a simple byproduct into a symbol of cultural richness. Through their meticulous craftsmanship, eggshell inlay has evolved into a versatile form of art, seamlessly blending tradition with modern innovation.
Building on this legacy, we at Nature Squared have spent years exploring its full potential and expanded their use far beyond traditional inlay work. We have developed an innovative process that turns these shells into a casting material that is strong, durable and original.
People & Community
Partnering with small bakeries on our doorstep like Carol’s Bread, we provide community support while reducing the environmental footprint of our sourcing. By transforming waste into value, we not only reduce what ends up in landfill but we also build symbiotic relationships within our community. This collaboration goes beyond practicality, it also educates our community on how we view and up-cycle waste, demonstrating that sustainability can be a shared, community-driven effort.
“From bakeries, big fast-food chains…we help create a system where waste can be collected, reused, and repurposed. Nature Squared is not just about making decorative surfaces, it’s also about function. Being sustainability conscious, we have to design smart.”
Elaine Ng, Chief Material Innovator at Nature Squared
The Art of Baking
The art of baking with one’s hands profoundly mirrors the creation of handmade surfaces. Both demand patience, skill, and a deep understanding of the material, rooted in the physical connection between maker and medium. The hands represent not only craftsmanship, but they also value each ingredient or material, integral to the artistry of the end product. Whether nourishing people through food or nurturing the planet with eco-conscious products, creating with one's hands imparts authenticity, tradition and a sense of responsibility to both the environment and the community.
Processing the shell
Washing eggshell waste might seem like a simple task, but it’s an intricate process requiring great patience. Removing the inner membrane is a delicate process that demands care and skill. We make sure to preserve the integrity of each eggshell, keeping it as whole as possible; allowing us to craft and manipulate patterns, sizes, and shapes with greater flexibility.
This process not only maximises their aesthetic potential but also ensures they remain strong and durable, ready to be repurposed into luxurious designs. We ensure that each step of the process, from cleaning to crafting, aligns with our commitment to quality at every stage.
Grinding the Shell
We classify our eggshells in a variety of sizes, each to be used for distinct designs and patterns. The eggshells are carefully crushed into precise fragment sizes. Having a range of sizes allows us to achieve diverse textures and finishes, from intricate, delicate patterns to bold, more robust surface designs, while meeting the unique aesthetic and functionality requirements of each surface.
Baking the Shell
Our techniques for achieving vibrant colours vary depending on the surface we're working towards. When it comes to eggshells – whole or crushed – we often bake or roast, the heat creating a range of natural tones. Different temperature and exposure time gives varying depth and richness of the colour, creating a range of hues – from light, golden tones to deeper, rich browns.
The Inlay Process
Our inlay techniques are constantly evolving, blending tradition with innovation. For eggshell inlays, we use a painstaking process of controlled cracking, where each delicate fragment is carefully placed according to the specific surface design. This process goes beyond simple assembly – our advanced colour applications play a crucial role as an artistic tool that enhances the overall patterning, adding depth and texture.
A perfect example is our snakeskin pattern, one of the many unique surface designs we offer. To achieve this intricate effect, we crack the eggshells in a concave, inward-facing manner, creating subtle curves that mimic the scales of a snake. Once the grout is applied and sanded, the result is a snake-like pattern that captures both complexity and beauty of nature. This specific technique demonstrates how we harness natural materials and creative processes to produce visually striking, eco-conscious designs.
The Casting Process
True to our zero-waste philosophy, we use all the “waste of the waste” as a casting material. Our casting process begins by crafting moulds, either inspired by natural materials or hand-carved textures. Once ready, we cast our eggshell mixture.
Our Surfaces
We offer two distinct types of eggshells – chicken and ostrich – each with its own characteristics. Chicken eggshells are smaller and more delicate, making them ideal for intricate designs and fine details. In contrast, ostrich eggshells, with their larger size and robust structure, offer bold, dramatic surface texture.
At Nature Squared, each shard tells a story of precision and innovation. As one of our original natural materials, it is overlooked for its ubiquity. We recognise and elevate its potential in our ongoing commitment to sustainability, quality, and community.