U-Café walls
The majority of the U-Café is made from a modular cardboard structure. The cardboard for which comes from up-cycled cardboard boxes.
Where does the cardboard come from?
Most of the cardboard has come from supermarkets around Newcastle. Everyday these supermarkets receive deliveries of new produce, all packed up in cardboard boxes. We’ve been collecting the cardboard from the supermarkets before they recycle or compost it.
How is it made?
The cardboard is cut into carefully sized rectangular sections, each with two slots. This allows the sections to be slotted together to form a lattice. An extra horizontal section is added to make the structure rigid.
This method is used to form triangular modules which are about one metre high. Multiple modules can be joined together to make larger walls. These modules are joined using sections painted green to make it easier to spot the joins.
How does it stand up?
The structure works in a way very similar to a lattice fence or a collapsible wine rack. The weight of the wall is spread across the lattice so there is not too much force on a single piece of cardboard.
To add stability, plastic bottles full of ground glass are added to the bottom rows to weigh down the otherwise lightweight structure.