HAND BRUSH
LONDON / 2021
The primitive need to sweep led to the creation of the brush, a product born almost entirely out of necessity. Instinct and practicality dictated the early architecture of the brush. Civilisations all over the planet, in isolation, bundled togather whatever they could find in abundance - twigs, grasses, plam fronds, hair - to create a tool that could efficiently perform the act of sweeping.
From left > Japanese Shuro Houki / Shaker's Flat Broom / Filipino Walis Tambo /
American Round Broom / European Besom / Filipino Walis Tingting
The brush of today is optimised for economic manufacture. It is typically comprised of polypropylene bristles encased in an injection moulded plastic handle.
Despite their low cost and wide accessibility I feel modern evolutions of the brush are losing the charm and personality of past archetypes.
a typical modern handbrush > Injection moulded plastic + poplypropylene bristles
This drove me to explore an alternate modern hand brush design that respects the brooms of old whilst striking a novel tone that resonates with the present day.
Proposed hand brush concept
H 260 x w 115<
Woods from sustainably managed global timberlands.
From left > Southern American Guarea (Satin) + Coconut Ekel / European Birch (MATTE) + Broomcorn / Central African Wenge (semi-gloss) + naturally dyed sorghum grass
The Metal Edition.
reclaimed BRUSHED Stainless steel + recycled polyethylene fibers
Proof of concept prototype > 3D printed handle in white PLA + reclaimed natural fibers
Thanks for reading!
- Ed
