Barcelona based studio alien & monkey created Sand Made, the uncoventional gift-case made entirely of sand and natural minerals that explores the emotions and psychology behind the process of discovering a gift.

Sealed by a wooden top, the rectangular sand box contains a gift that hatches by breaking the packaging in half by hand where the guideline is incised.

The destroying of the packaging  provides a unique sensory experience that creates a long-lasting memory for the person who receives the gift.

“The idea behind this material is to make products that can last for a long period of time, and slowly crumble back to dust at the end of their lives, leaving behind just grains of sand and other minerals harmless to the environment.”

Sand made is a material developed with one of earth’s most abundant natural resources. Employing a traditional process and a touch of alchemy, particles of sand are shaped and formed into objects.

Marc Nicolau and Daishu Ma, from design firm Alien & Monkey are currently working on small objects, refining the process and exploring further applications of sand as an answer to the increase of waste in modern society.

“We are looking at where we can substitute certain other materials that are currently used to make long lasting structures that in reality have a short life cycle.” The possibilities are endless… We can obtain finer or coarser sand, darker or lighter coloured sand, sand with crystal or volcanic textures – leading to a wide array of different materials with specific properties.”

Photos: courtesy of alien & monkey

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Photograph by Francesco Allegretto