Incredible Innovations in Corrugated Cardboard

If you're following Kite on platforms like Pinterest or Twitter, you might have noticed that we're big fans of celebrating packaging innovations from around the globe. This includes creative ways to protect products, new materials, and stunning packaging designs that truly grab attention. But there’s one material we’re particularly excited about: corrugated cardboard. It’s not just your average packing material—it’s a canvas for some truly remarkable designs.

Corrugated cardboard plays a vital role in our industry because it’s versatile, durable, and eco-friendly. It’s easy to work with, allows for vibrant printing, and provides solid protection for goods. Plus, it’s cost-effective and often made from recycled materials, making it a go-to choice for many businesses. Designers have taken notice too, turning this humble material into incredible sculptures, furniture, and even architectural marvels. These designs showcase a deep three-dimensional texture that catches the eye and stands out in unique ways. What’s more, corrugated cardboard aligns perfectly with sustainability goals since it’s fully recyclable and frequently crafted from reused materials.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite examples of these innovative designs. If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out our ‘More Than Boxes’ board on Pinterest!

Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral

On February 22, 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city, faced one of the most devastating earthquakes in its history. The disaster left countless buildings destroyed, including the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, which suffered severe damage beyond repair. Amidst the rubble, however, emerged a beacon of hope—a cardboard cathedral designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. Known as the ‘Cardboard Cathedral,’ this structure became the world’s first cathedral built primarily from cardboard and opened its doors to the public on August 15th of this year.

This cathedral is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Standing five stories tall, it features a main hall capable of seating 700 people. Constructed using 98 cardboard tubes, each measuring 60 feet long, the cathedral’s structure is topped with a polycarbonate roof for added weatherproofing. Shigeru Ban claims the building is designed to last 50 years, and perhaps most impressively, cardboard structures like this one are actually more earthquake-resistant than traditional concrete ones. That’s because cardboard absorbs seismic energy and offers greater flexibility under stress.

We’re deeply moved by the emotional significance of this project—it serves as both a symbol of resilience and a call for sustainable solutions in rebuilding efforts. Hopefully, this will inspire a renewed focus on eco-friendly architecture and help revitalize economies through innovative uses of readily available resources like cardboard.

Cardboard Celebrities by Giles Oldershaw

One of the reasons corrugated cardboard is so strong is its layered construction, which includes an outer layer of paper, an inner layer, and a corrugated middle. The latter comes in various “flutes,” those wavy patterns sandwiched between the layers, which determine the level of strength. British artist Giles Oldershaw has mastered the art of portraiture using unconventional materials, especially cardboard. His recent exhibition showcases a series of celebrity portraits meticulously crafted from cardboard, where he tears away sections to create shadows that define facial features.

Our favorite piece? The Marilyn Monroe portrait. It’s a fitting tribute to an icon, complete with a playful “Please Recycle” message—a nod to Andy Warhol’s pop art style. Oldershaw has also rendered portraits of Greta Garbo, Isabella Rossellini, Bette Davis, and other legendary figures under his collection titled “Cardboard Relief.” These artworks aren’t intimidating—they’re accessible and affordable, available directly from Giles’ website. You can even commission personalized pieces of your loved ones or favorite icons. And when you’re done enjoying them, they can be recycled—what a fantastic way to appreciate art while staying environmentally conscious!

Cardboard Furniture by Sanserif Creatius

We first encountered Spanish design studio Sanserif Creatius back in March when they introduced the Bold Type Chair, a 100% biodegradable cardboard creation. The chair is held together without screws, relying solely on stacked 5mm-thick cardboard sheets. This approach results in a striking visual effect, with the flutes and ridges forming intricate patterns that make the chair’s letter “B” emblem stand out beautifully.

But that’s not all—the Sanserif team hasn’t stopped there. They’ve expanded their lineup with other standout pieces, such as the “Hair Chair,” which resembles the Bold Type Chair but adds a fuzzy cover for extra comfort. There’s also the multi-functional “Prejudice” chair, which conceals a footrest and small table within its seat, along with the standalone “O” Typeface footrest. Each piece combines creativity, sustainability, and aesthetics, ensuring they’ll become focal points in any modern living space.

What’s even more impressive? Durability. During compression tests, the chair alone managed to support an astounding 2,000 pounds! So, rest assured, these pieces won’t collapse under normal use. If you’d like to share your thoughts or reach out to us, follow us on Twitter @kitepackaging—we’d love to hear from you!