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It’s A Grind: Nike Shoes Get Upcycled Into Noise-Dampening Baffles

04.20.22 | By
It’s A Grind: Nike Shoes Get Upcycled Into Noise-Dampening Baffles

Nike has always turned heads for its iconic footwear, but never like this before. In an ingenious partnership between Nike Grind (Nike’s global sustainability program) and Kirei (maker of innovative and eco-friendly materials for interiors), product designer for both companies Michael DiTullo has created an acoustic solution called the Air Baffle that’s made from Nike’s manufacturing scraps and end-of-life footwear.

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

The Air Baffle suspends vertically from the ceiling to help dampen noise and break up sound reverberation, perfect for public spaces like offices, hotels, and classrooms. The exterior of the sleek curved baffle is Kirei’s EchoPanel®, a felt-like material made from 100% PET plastic containing up to 60% post-consumer content. The soft interior fluff, visible by a window inspired by Nike shoes’ air bubble windows, is a mix of recycled materials from discarded scraps and shoes. The window itself is also environmentally friendly, made with Class A fire-rated PETG (a type of polyester resin) and is GREENGUARD certified.

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

Nike x Kirei acoustic Air Baffle

Without any assembly required, the Air Baffle ships ready to install with suspension cables and mounting hardware. For more information on Air Baffle by Kirei with Nike Grind, visit www.kireiusa.com.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.