Into the Archive

This chair is one of the earliest pieces of furniture to be made from recycled plastic. Its designer, Jane Atfield, developed a type of recycled plastic from discarded shampoo and bleach bottles collected from community recycling schemes. These bottles were chipped into small pieces and then melted and pressed to form sheets. The sheets of multi-coloured plastic were then cut and screwed together to make simple chair forms. Traces of the original labels can still be seen, celebrating the recycled nature of the material rather than hiding it.

The Little Sun organisation is a social enterprise set up by artist Olafur Eliasson to create portable solar lamps and chargers, mainly for communities without access to reliable power. Launched in 2012 in partnership with engineer Frederik Ottesen, the sunflower-shaped lamp serves as a tool for communities living without access to an electrical grid. The design features a solar panel on the back, allowing the lamp to store energy during daylight hours. A single five-hour charge provides five hours of bright light or up to fifty hours at its lowest setting, providing a safe and sustainable alternative to kerosene lanterns. The lamp’s distinctive appearance, reminiscent of a blooming flower, is intended to evoke a sense of optimism and a connection to the natural energy of the sun.

The Magno Wooden Radio is more than a study in minimalist aesthetics; it represents a shift in making, from mass-produced consumer electronics to a philosophy that prioritizes the health of communities and the environment over rapid industrial growth. Designer Singgih S. Kartono developed the Magno project in his home village of Kandangan, Indonesia, to disrupt the traditional migration of labor to overcrowded cities. By establishing a local workshop, Kartono transformed a reliance on urban services into a self-sustaining ecosystem of skilled craftsmanship. Villagers are trained in specialized carpentry, ensuring these artisanal techniques are preserved as a viable, local livelihood. Sustainability is built into the process. Each radio is made from timber sourced from a dedicated tree nursery managed by the workshop, ensuring the production remains ecologically neutral. This successful model of community-led manufacturing has allowed Kartono to expand into other ethical products, including a bamboo bicycle.