Green Concept Award

Green Concepts

Soundbounce

Upcycled tennis balls, innovative acoustic design

Winner in the Workspace Category

Tennis is one of the five most polluting sports in the world, due to the long, carbon-intensive manufacturing process of tennis balls and their short lifespan. With only 1% of the 400 million balls produced annually being recycled, most end up in landfills, leading to significant waste and resource depletion. Soundbounce addresses this issue by repurposing discarded tennis balls into circular, modular materials for acoustic dividers, wall paneling, and furniture. This innovative approach recycles 283 balls per square meter and reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 8.5 kg per square meter.

Jury Statement: Soundbounce is pleasing sensorially in sound, sight and touch, and is powerfully researched for reduction in emissions, reuse of materials, and new use of structures. The furniture is remarkably comfortable. The paneling is visually interesting, not distracting, surprisingly refined and as sound-dampening as promised. Soundbounce is a beautifully precise solution for a specific circular economy problem.

Company/Institution
Central Saint Martins
Central Saint Martins (CSM), part of the University of the Arts London, is a prestigious arts and design college in London. Known for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, CSM offers top programs in art, design, fashion, and performance. Established in 1989 from the merger of the Central School of Art and Design (1896) and Saint Martin’s School of Art (1854), CSM has a rich heritage and produces influential graduates in creative industries.
Country
United Kingdom
Website
Central Saint Martins
Designer(s)
Mathilde Wittock
Mathilde Wittock is a graduate of the Biodesign master’s program, a two-year course merging creativity with science. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Product and Industrial Design from Central Saint Martins, London. Mathilde’s work embodies a multidisciplinary approach, blending art, design, and biology. She focuses deeply on material research and sensory design, exploring innovative ways to enhance sensory experiences in living spaces.
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