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MINI STRIP
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN WITH A TWIST (CO-)CREATED BY PAUL SMITH.
Two icons of British design meet and share creative approaches to sustainable design in this special collaboration between Sir Paul Smith and MINI. Together, we devised three key themes – transparency, simplicity and sustainability – and used them as a basis for reimagining everything a MINI could be.
Join iconic British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith as he presents The MINI STRIP car showcasing his inspirational ideas for a more sustainable method of automotive design.
LESS IS MORE.
Adhering to the classic ‘less is more’ design principle, we stripped down a MINI Cooper SE only keeping what’s truly necessary before reassembling with its most essential components. This enabled the MINI STRIP to translate MINI’s Creative Use of Space philosophy into a radical and fundamental redesign of a MINI – especially in the interior.
Defining the essential elements was made possible by Paul Smith’s fresh and inspirational ideas. For instance, all trim parts have been purposefully omitted with the exception of the dashboard, topper pad and parcel shelf.
UNFINISHED AESTHETIC.
The body was left in its unfinished state with no coloured paint applied, but instead just a thin film of transparent paint to protect against corrosion. It has been coloured blue at the explicit request of Paul Smith, producing a particularly eye-catching effect.
Paul Smith, designer of the MINI STRIP.
“If we added less and used recycled and recyclable materials, then it would create a more sustainable world.”
CONTRASTING DETAILS.
When looking in from above you will see the cabin of the MINI Strip adorned in this striking blue hue along with a completely leather- and chrome-free interior. It gives the interior an aesthetic appeal all of its own; it is bare yet feels “dressed” at the same time.
CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF RESOURCES.
In terms of sustainability, the use of recycled and environmentally-friendly materials was heavily applied. Paul looked at every material used in its creation through the lens of sustainability. As a result, recycled, recyclable and renewable primary products are essential parts of the MINI STRIP’s design.
- The recycled plastic was used for 3D printing with some of the basic material qualities, like the metal panels, being left exposed.
- The grille trim and aerodynamic covers on the wheels are also made from recycled Perspex, which helps save both weight and resources.
- And the steering wheel is playfully wrapped in bicycle tape instead of leather – a wry nod to Paul’s favourite mode of transport … after his all-electric MINI.