Ostra is a ceramic-like biomaterial born from waste oyster shells, reimagining discarded remnants of the seafood industry as a medium for innovation. It challenges traditional supply chains, creating a circular system where waste is transformed into value. By reclaiming oyster shells from local restaurants, Ostra prevents these resources from reaching landfills and instead gives them new life in a striking, sustainable lamp design—a testament to the material’s potential.
Oyster shells, rich in calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), typically end up polluting coastlines and emitting unpleasant odors as they decompose. While cement production—accounting for 8% of global emissions—relies on mining non-renewable limestone for calcium carbonate, Ostra offers a renewable, low-impact alternative. This biomaterial mimics the natural formation of oyster shells through Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), a process that binds shell powder with a custom seaweed extract. The result is a recyclable, biodegradable composite with the density and versatility of concrete—yet
without the emissions.
OSTRA_A SHELL’S REBIRTH
The Ostra lamp demonstrates how this material can seamlessly integrate into functional and aesthetic design, while also proposing a scalable system to address global challenges. By valorizing waste, Ostra supports circular economies, fosters biodiversity, and inspires new approaches to material innovation. Even at the end of its lifecycle, the material can be ground and reformed into new products, ensuring its utility endures.
As the lampshade cures, it captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming microcrystals that enhance its strength and durability. A natural wax coating makes the material waterproof, ready to enter the world as a symbol of beauty and sustainability.
Ostra is not merely a product—it is a manifesto for a regenerative future, where waste is reimagined as a resource, and design nurtures ecosystems as much as it serves humanity.
As the lampshade cures, it captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming microcrystals that enhance its strength and durability. A natural wax coating makes the material waterproof, ready to enter the world as a symbol of beauty and sustainability.
Ostra is not merely a product—it is a manifesto for a regenerative future, where waste is reimagined as a resource, and design nurtures ecosystems as much as it serves humanity.
