What if the plastic on the shore could become something beautiful?
That is the question at the heart of a new family workshop created by ecoBirdy and The Nautilus Maldives, one of the world's most celebrated private island retreats. Designed for young guests and their families, the experience blends education, creativity and outdoor play into something memorable.
Designed by ecoBirdy and hosted by The Nautilus' children's club Young Wonderers, the workshop aims to spark environmental awareness in children and inspire them to become stewards of the ocean.
"True luxury carries a responsibility to future generations.
Partnering with The Nautilus allows us to bring sustainable design
to a new generation of conscious explorers."
— Joris Vanbriel, co-founder, ecoBirdy
The family workshop
Through ecoBirdy's engaging "Journey to a New Life" story and a hands-on activity in which each child crafts a personal keepsake, participants discover the magic of transforming waste into something beautiful.
Reading the “Journey to a New Life” story.
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Children begin with a beach clean-up, collecting plastic fragments from the island's shores. Back at Young Wonderers, The Nautilus' children's club, they sort, shred and reshape the reclaimed material using a recycling injection machine. It’s the same process that sits at the heart of ecoBirdy's own circular design practice.
Putting theory into practice with the workshop.
The final product is The Nautilus Pendant: a quiet, elegant keepsake cast in a custom mould exclusively created in the shape of the nautilus shell at the heart of The Nautilus' identity, finished with locally-sourced Banyan Tree rope. Every pendant is unique and a symbol of transformation and intent.
The finished Nautilus pendant.
Inspiring the purposeful generation
Each workshop invites children and their families to discover the hidden potential in plastic waste. Through guided storytelling grounded in real-world research, young minds trace the path of discarded plastic; where it drifts, how it degrades, and how it can be reimagined through the art of recycling.
"We believe design has the power to inspire change,"
says Vanessa Yuan, co-founder of ecoBirdy. "Through this
collaboration, we hope to nurture creativity, care, and environmental
stewardship among young guests of The Nautilus."
A symbol of care for the planet
More than a creative activity, this experience is an invitation to rethink value, explore circularity, and leave with a self-made keepsake that carries real meaning. It blends sustainability, education, and outdoor play, raising children's awareness of their role in protecting the environment and empowering them to become true advocates for our planet.
The finished Nautilus pendant.
Behind the tangible keepsake lies a deeper message: by taking home a small piece of reclaimed waste, each participant contributes to leaving the environment cleaner and more beautiful for the next visitor to discover. The pendant is a symbol of positive action, mindful impact, and the power of individual responsibility.
The Nautilus pool with the Nautilus shell pattern.
Sustainable and inclusive play spaces
ecoBirdy also partnered with The Nautilus Maldives to reimagine the furnishings of the Young Wonderers children's club and The Nautilus Lounge at Velana International Airport, creating sustainable and inclusive play spaces. Explore the full story behind this part of the partnership.
The Young Wonderers children’s club features ecoBirdy’s signature pieces: the Charlie Chair, Luisa Table, Rhino Lamp, Richard Armchair & Judy Side Table.
References:
Photo credits: The Nautilus Maldives
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