Dezeen Showroom: Sydney studio DesignByThem is celebrating the natural texture of recycled plastic via a speckled, multi-coloured furniture collection called Confetti.
Envisioned by the studio's founders Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis, who operate under the moniker Gibson Karlo, the 20-part series features everything from tables to stools, benches, planters, ottomans, armchairs, lounges and home accessories.
Each piece is made from recycled post-consumer and factory waste plastic, and the unique, confetti-like pattern created in the process is left exposed.
"Roto-moulded, recycled plastic is a frequently used material but is often covered and hidden," explained the duo.
"We wanted to celebrate this materiality and highlight how a product utilising industrial processes and waste materials can share many of the same characteristics as much-loved, naturally occurring materials such as stone."
Across the collection, the plastic takes on the shape of a cylindrical module, which acts as the legs of the tables and benches while functioning as the body of the stools and planters.
Utilising the same shape across the different products allowed the designers to cut down the amount of material waste created in the production process.
"When designing the Confetti collection, there was a crucial focus on approaching every aspect of the design process sustainably, as well as the finished product," said the designers.
"The Confetti pieces utilise round, geometric forms to create many different products from the same material without changing the way the plastic tubes are manufactured.”
Once the product has reached the end of its life, the plastic can once again be recycled.
To balance out the playful exuberance of the pattern, the finishing elements, such as table and seat tops as well as upholstery cushions, feature refined, geometric shapes and a monochrome colour palette.
These additional elements can be disassembled without being damaged so that they can be easily reused and facilitate a more circular lifecycle for the product.
Photography is by Pete Daly.
Product: Confetti collection
Designer: Gibson Karlo
Brand: DesignByThem
Contact address: info@designbythem.com
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