re-code

Timber off cuts, broken carbon fiber parts, a table that is no longer wanted... I see the time and effort that brought the item to life where others see no value. In a throw away society, is there a place for products that are born from the old, broken and discarded? Can I 're-code' seemingly useless by-products & waste with new uses, meaning & value?

project objectives

investigate use of waste & by-product to avoid landfill

discover new manufacturing processes and develop materials lead design

as much is feasible, design and make from left overs, products & materials that are destined for land fill

create pieces that have obvious function yet are confronting, unique and require interpretation

expose the process and cost of custom design & building with predominantly existing product selections

begin a discussion about the differences between mass production Vs craftsmanship

updraft

2020 // high table

development breakdown

320 hours design, sourcing, build and assembly

re-used components & materials

excess teak fence posts
broken carbon fiber water sports equipment
table top made from an old oak door & skinned with excess carbon fiber
left over fiberglass flat panel

new components & materials

feet arrangements
316 S/steel screw & washers
epoxy & polyurethane glues
clear finishes

zephyr

2020 // coffee table

development breakdown

120 hours design, sourcing, build and assembly

re-used components & materials

broken carbon fiber water sports equipment
table top made from an old oak door & skinned in excess carbon fiber
fiberglass flat panel left overs
2 x knurled 316 S/steel adjustable self-leveling feet
2 x mild steel adjustable feet

new components & materials

316 S/steel screw & washers
epoxy & polyurethane glues
clear finishes

crosswind

2020 // outdoor coffee table

development breakdown

60 hours in design, sourcing, build and assembly

re-used components & materials

teak and merbau off-cuts
excess 9mm marine ply
broken outdoor table base

new components & materials

316 S/steel screw & washers
epoxy & polyurethane glues
clear finishes

turbulence

2020 // speaker stands

development breakdown

110 hours in design, sourcing, build and assembly

re-used components & materials

teak post off-cuts
excess carbon tubes
off-cuts of carbon fiber and structural foam

new components & materials

316 S/steel adjustable feet arrangements
epoxy glues
clear finishes

why

The by-product of being human is taking an ever worsening toll on the environment. Reading how we Australians were shipping our waste off-shore I thought we can do better, we have to do better. We are not giving enough thought to the growing problem of waste, we look at our smoke stacks, run-off pipes and piles of rubbish through the lens of convenience. As a society, we show a lack of responsibility for what we are leaving future generations.

So where do we go from here, where do I go and how do I start? Use the time 2020 has given me and look at my own situation and skills. Combine my passions of art, water sports & manufacturing to kick start a new commentary about the meaning of waste.

At the end of any given contract there are excess materials, off-cuts, surpluses etc... In water sports, there is general wear & tear, masts, paddles, booms all manner of composite tubes that reach a premature end of life. It would be convenient to throw this all in the bin, easy. At best this can be allocated to future work, work that may or may not eventuate. It is in this environment that the opportunity exists to investigate a different approach to the waste we create and with it, the possibility to discover new ways to design & manufacture, a new way of thinking and acting.