Maximilian Schatz graduated in 2018 from the »Produktdesign (Product Design)« Bachelor degree programme in the Faculty of Art and Design at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. That his idea, specifically harvesting the discards from leek cultivation, is still relevant is highlighted by this award for his final thesis.

He submitted his project for the Design Zentrum Hamburg’s »Silberstreifen Award«, whose central theme in 2022 was »zero waste«. The competition sought ideas and concepts that offered solutions to questions such as: How can we create new resources from waste? What do sustainable products and production methods look like? What can we create out of organic, compostable materials? How can we design durable and sustainable products?

Leeks Become Shoes

The product designer’s material project scored points with the jury. »When they are harvested, the tops of leeks are trimmed and the exterior leaves are removed«, explains Maximilian Schatz. »I wanted to make use of this previously considered worthless by-product in my project and to create compostable products.«
In a series of experiments, Schatz investigated the material properties and potential manufacturing processes for the newly created material. He developed the concept for a shoe made out of leeks to present this new material. The newly designed product shows the potential for manufacturing environmentally-friendly materials out of pressed and fibre-moulded »Lauchstoff«.

The thesis was supervised by Gerrit Batist, Professor of Design and Management together with artistic staff member Susann Paduch. Maximilian Schatz completed his Master’s degree in »Produktdesign (Product Design)« at the Faculty of Art and Design in 2020.

About the »Silberstreifen Award«:
The  Design Zentrum Hamburg’s »Silberstreifen Award« supports Hamburg designers and teams who address the pressing issues of our time, from digitalisation to sustainability and pandemics. The award-winning projects receive funding for the development of a model and are publicly exhibited at the Design Zentrum Hamburg.

About the Design Zentrum Hamburg:
The Design Zentrum Hamburg is the city’s initiative for promoting and increasing the visibility of the industry. Design is considered one of the key components to ecologically transforming the economy and society. The Design Zentrum Hamburg showcases the importance and the potential of the design industry and its members.