In November 2019, Fabrique Publique gave the workshop ‘Rethinking waste materials’ to a group of 15 interior design students at LUCA School of Arts. This workshop focused on rethinking materials in order to create a more sustainable future. The current system of take-make-discard is reaching its physical limits and we need to develop alternative systems of production and consumption.

Designers are at the forefront of developing products and therefore have a responsibility to carefully choose the materials they work with and if necessary develop more sustainable alternatives to existing materials.

We started with a treasure hunt in the neighbourhood. In 3 groups of each 5 students, we looked for small businesses with interesting waste streams (f.i. coffeehouse or friteskot). The waste streams were studied and each student picked one waste material that was used for developing new exciting materials. Tests were done, other materials were added and eventually each student made a tableware product with its new material. 

The final presentation was a set dining table with plates, cutlery etc. from these newly developed materials. 

This workshop is available for students from secondary school to MBO and higher education. For further information, please send an email to hanneke@fabriquepublique.nl.