AreCoustic

•

Design Concept

檳榔攤和嚼食檳榔的文化在台灣街頭頗為常見，然而卻少有人關注這項極具特色的在地產業。我們回收檳榔攤的廢棄物–– 檳榔殼，用這項材料創造出全新的、具有在地色的纖維材質，並利用此材質粗糙多孔的特性設計出AreCoustic環保家具系列，包括了吸音磚、屏風和凳子。AreCoustic 為Areca（檳榔屬名）和acoustic 的結合，我們期待這個以創新回收材為出發點的設計，除了能有效利用資源，更能創造出另一種臺灣意象。

Betel nut, the fruit of the Areca palm, is popular for chewing throughout some Asian countries, and it is quite common in Taiwan. A lot of waste is produced during the production of betel nuts, so we have decided to make use of these, giving it brand new applications.

AreCoustic and AreStool, which combine the words "Areca" with "acoustic" and "stool", is a furniture design project based on material innovation. Using common, local wastes as materials, we expect Arecoustic and AreStool to not only be sustainable, but also illustrate a new image of Taiwanese culture.

關於檳榔 About Betel Nut

檳榔原產於東南亞，早期中國南方及臺灣的原住民便有嚼食檳榔的習俗；除了作為日常的食物，檳榔也被用來當作社交場合的禮物，甚至宗教祭祀的祭品等。時至今日，檳榔依然
在臺灣社會扮演相當重要的角色，許多勞工在工作時嚼食檳榔以提振精神，其年產值近新台幣一百億元，為臺灣年產值第二高的農作物。

Originated in Southeast Asia, betel nut has been popular for chewing for a long time. Symbolizing friendship and respect towards others, It often served as gifts or refreshment of banquet in Taiwan.

Nowadays, betel nut is still popular in Taiwan, many people chew betel nut to boost the spirits. It also plays an important role in the economy. The annual output value of betel nut is approximately 10 billion TWD, which is the second highest among all crops in Taiwan.

檳榔殼的應用 Nutshells of Betel Nuts

小販使用剪刀或機器將果實去殼以取出果肉，這項工作會每天會產生相當多廢棄外殼。
我們研究廢棄的檳榔殼，發現其纖維短而粗，在與樹酯混合後，會形成粗糙多孔且有彈性的材質，可以應用在許多產品上。

The vendors cut off both ends of betel nuts, and peel the nutshells to get the kernel inside, making lots of wastes every day. The fiber of betel nuts' nutshells is short and coarse. After gluing with polyurethane, they form a soft, rough and porous texture, which can be used on various kinds of furnitures.

AreCoustic Panels

AreCoustic panels 是由檳榔殼纖維製成的吸音板，板材表面粗糙多孔，可以減少室內回音。吸音板彼此之間可以輕易地連接在一起，拼接成具吸音效果的屏風。

AreCoustic panels are made from nutshells of betel nuts, which have pores and form a rough surface, allowing them to eliminate echoes and reduce noise. These panels can be easily installed onto the stand and connect with one another, becoming an acoustic screen.

AreStool

椅墊表面是由檳榔殼纖維製成，觸感獨特而具有彈性；椅腳則是利用檳榔葉鞘製成，卷曲成圓筒狀以加強結構之後，成為十分穩固但重量輕巧的組件。

The surface of the cushion is made from a mixture of betel nuts' nutshells and Polyurethane. The legs are made of the leaf sheaths of Royal palm, which is light and steady.

檳榔葉鞘 Material of Chair Legs

檳榔樹是臺灣常見的經濟作物，檳榔樹葉長1-2 米，葉鞘輕巧、堅硬且強韌，因為容易取得且結構穩固，早期先民經常用於容器等日常用品。

Betel palms are common in Taiwan. The sheaths of betel palms are light, stiff and strong, making them perfect for structures.