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an outdoor furniture collection made from construction waste to highlight the importance of our architectural heritage.
About
SORĠI is an ongoing research project about opportunities for circularity in Malta, whose first outcome is an outdoor furniture collection for public spaces, highly critical of the booming construction industry.
Six benches inspired by six buildings affected by the local construction frenzy will stand both as a memento of today’s choices and a suggestion for tomorrow’s actions.
In Maltese, the word ‘sorġi’ is the imperative of ‘sorġa’ which means to sit down when feeling slightly tired or to stop somewhere for a short while.
In this project, SORĠI, is an invitation to have a seat, and observe the ever-changing Maltese urban landscape from a different perspective.
Meaning
All the bench pieces are made of recycled construction waste encouraging people to question the island’s developments and their impact on the environment, from a social and historical perspective too.
After mapping out the construction industry and the areas where waste is produced, several materials were considered and tested, including fragments of glass, recycled concrete and asphalt, and marble offcuts: all valuable resources currently being dumped in landfill sites at their full capacity already.
Materials
The prototyping and production phases involved collaborations with local craftsman and focused on utilising traditional production methods and local resources, of natural origins whenever possible – for example, pigments were tested as a way to add colour and to create extraordinary textures enhancing the ‘uniqueness’ of each bench.
Process
1. Source
2. Material
3. Process
4. Outcome
5. Destination
MATERIAL SAMPLES
WASTE MATERIAL: RECYCLED SAND,
RECYCLED POLY-AGGREGATE & FLY ASH
FINAL FURNITURE PIECE
PROTOTYPE
MATERIAL SAMPLES
WASTE MATERIAL: OFFCUTS OF GLASS, MARBLE & TERRAZZO
FINAL FURNITURE PIECE
PROTOTYPE
Narrative
SORĠI tells stories of abused Maltese heritage and of derelict public spaces, raising awareness on the urgent need for alternatives to speculative developments disrespectful of their contexts.
While contributing to finding tangible solutions for the recycling of the sheer amount of construction waste that keeps accumulating on the island, the project also promotes sustainability and circularity within a larger audience.
Benches
Six benches were inspired in shape, colours and materials by six different buildings in Malta that have been or are currently being threatened by the booming construction industry.
Each bench piece will hold a hidden narrative that will lead the user on a journey of discovery on Maltese architecture.
Concept
Community
The SORĠI pieces aim to provide seating for all part of the community regardless of age, gender, race, or background.
Waste
Management
Throughout the entire production process, all leftover materials and potential waste were collected and recycled in order to create small objects, such as coasters and pots, which are also available to purchase.
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