Cardboard in Construction: A Sustainable Future for Temporary Housing

At Cardboard Mill, we’re always exploring how cardboard can push the boundaries of design, functionality, and sustainability. A recent innovation out of The University of Queensland has caught our attention, researchers have developed lightweight, durable cardboard panels designed for temporary housing. This breakthrough highlights how cardboard isn’t just for packaging or installations but has real potential in structural applications.

The panels are engineered to be strong, lightweight, and weather-resistant, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. Temporary housing is often needed in disaster relief or refugee settings, where quick, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions are critical. By using cardboard, these structures minimise environmental impact while remaining practical and efficient.

This innovation aligns with our belief that cardboard is an untapped resource in sustainable design. While we specialise in creative installations, furniture, and event spaces, the principles remain the same, using recyclable materials to create high-quality, low-impact solutions. The idea that cardboard could one day be used for emergency housing reinforces what we’ve always known: the possibilities for this material are endless.

As industries rethink their approach to sustainability, projects like this prove that cardboard can do more than people expect. Whether it’s housing, set design, or brand activations, one thing is clear, cardboard is a material of the future.

https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2025/02/cardboard-panels-offer-lightweight-sustainable-solution-temporary-housing