In Collaboration with Aryan Gupta
O-Range
O-Range is a range of materials crafted from discarded orange peels, transforming waste into value. Each year, the world produces over 60 million tons of oranges, generating 32 million tons of peel waste. Within these remnants lies an inherent warmth—rich color, tactile texture, and naturally formed patterns. O-Range exists to uncover and celebrate this overlooked beauty.
Through controlled dehydration and bioplastic preservation, the peels gain structure, longevity, and a uniquely organic texture. The orange peels provide strength to the bioplastic. Dehydrated orange peel provides structure to it.
Skills
Prototyping, Sketching, 3D printing, CAD, Woodworking, Biomaterials
Biomaterial Exploration
Early experiments with sunflower seeds highlighted the importance of controlled dehydration, as moisture retention resulted in mold. Through this iterative process, we transitioned to orange peels. Their natural translucency and warm light diffusion revealed a compelling material quality, leading us to focus our exploration on orange peel–based biomaterials.
Sketches
We began by testing a range of biomaterial bases to investigate how waste could be repurposed into functional materials.
Process images:
