Offcuts, Reimagined, a furniture mash-up using manufacturing offcuts for Gardner White installation in collaboration with Design Core Detroit.
This furniture installation was made using stone and Corian manufacturing remnants that would otherwise end up as waste.
“I want to bring attention to the environmental impact that product designers make through their design decisions and material choices.” This installation re-uses granite and quartzite from salvaged stone slabs. “Some of the materials were even fished out of a disposal bin, and the Corian table tops were left overs from an architectural fabrication process.”
The design for Offcuts, Reimagined is modular. Stone rings are stacked to create lamps, a vase, and tables. (See lamp here) The exoskeleton forms used as the base of the table are rescued from the cutting process. After cutting, Salonen envisioned the skeletal offcuts as an opportunity to further upcycle this part of the waste into the table design.
“I was also interested in combining perceived high- and low-end materials to create a sustainable product.” Recyclable mailing tubes that support the table top contrast with the polished stone rings in this high-low mash-up.