Design Naturally

7 December 2010,

This expanding planter, Graine de Pot, is the design of Francois Clerc. The design responds to the needs of urban gardeners with limited space for storing pots in the off-season and is made from a biodegradable plastic that is safe for composting when the pot is no longer needed…


Sensitive to our interaction with nature, this plants lover’s designs are born out of an eco-friendly approach. François Clerc is currently designing products for La Galerie Sentou, Nature et Découvertes, Papier d’Arménie, Domestic, Bellemont and many others. Gracing the age of 33, designer François Clerc lives between Paris, London and Taipei – thus absorbing each richness in culture the city has to offer and concluded that whether it be graphic design, product design or interior design, his work is clearly eco-friendly.

After a diploma entitled “Gardening in the city” at Les Ateliers six years ago, he started working with French gardening companies designing furniture and accessories for the garden. Sensitive to our interaction with nature, François Clerc then extended his eco-friendly approach to a diverse range of projects. With ADEME (Environmental and Energy Agency), he developed a concept for a trade stand according to the principles of eco-design. In Ethiopia he worked with craftsmen to design eco-friendly garden furniture. In Taiwan he created the image of a new organic brand, Ihrmarke.

This young prolific and somewhat heartthrob of a designer is now working for companies like LVMH, Malibu as well as more traditional French brands, such as Papier d’Arménie. In 2008 he started his collaboration with Sentou, creating simple and playful products: the range of candlesticks entitled “Ghost” and set of water jug and glasses, “Château d’eau”.


GRAINE DE POT

Combining the old favorite “less is more” ideal with watching the miracle of photosynthesis from the comfort of your patio, François Clerc’s “Graine de pot” goes from carrying a disk home from the store to growing pumpkins and other large gourds in a few quick steps. The pot, which is made of compostable bioplastic, is filled with “compressed and dried soil” and wrapped up in a handy little package.

Take it home, give it some water and love, and, before planting, the soil “grows” and expands into a more traditional, pot-like form. Add a seed and give it some sun and maybe talk to it a bit, and out sprouts whatever you’ve planted. When the annual’s term is up, the pot can be added to your compost and you can look forward to doing it again next year. While a biodegradable planter might seem a bit odd, we’ve seen this kind of thing before; “Graine de pot” is designed to last for nine months (plant in the spring, grow it all summer, enjoy into the fall) before being cycled into the compost bin, allowing an eco–friendly soul grow inside you.

CLERC DESIGN
60 Malpas road
London SE4 1BS, England

Tel.: 0044 (0)7 88 44 55 13 7
info@clercdesign.com
www.clercdesign.com