BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE : CREATING FURNITURE FROM V & A PACKING CRATES
TOOLS , PLANT & EQUIPMENT
As part of the V & A Museum ’ s commitment to sustainability it has developed two exciting furniture upcycling initiatives using surplus stock of its exhibition pack crates . These initiatives demonstrate how waste materials can be given a meaningful life beyond a limited purpose .
In one initiative , nine designers were partnered with clients from the 999 Club , a homelessness charity in London , to cocreate a piece of furniture that can be taken into temporary accommodation . The other gathered designers to create tables and chairs , also using the waste packing crates , for a Food Waste Feast that was held at the Day of Design event .
Zoë Louizos , Sustainability Co-ordinator , V & A said : “ We are thrilled to have been able to use Festool products . This project makes valuable use of our surplus materials and showcases creative solutions to waste and provides a platform to support a diverse community of designers and makers , demonstrating design solutions to environmental and social issues we currently face .”
Festool is a manufacturer of premium power tools for professional tradespeople . To discover more about Festool please visit www . festool . co . uk and for more on the project please visit
Throughout the project Festool power tools were used . James Wilson , Marketing Manager at Festool UK said “ We are delighted that Festool products were part of this sustainability initiative , that has enabled expert designers / makers to share skills with people who have experienced homelessness enabling them to create unique pieces of furniture .” https :// www . vam . ac . uk / blog / design-and-society / upcycling- our-waste-crates-in-response-to-ldfs-day-of-design- challenge
The project had a five-week turnaround time from design and creation to exhibiting at the Day of Design Festival that was part of the London Design Festival . The short time around time for the project meant that the power tools used needed to be sturdy , reliable and deliver accurate results , fast .
Furniture designer and maker , Tom Olesen (@ tomtedesign ) joined the project to mentor one of the 999 Club ’ s clients . “ It is the small innovative features of Festool tools that make life easier . For example , on the router OF 1010 the spindle stop means that changing cutters is simple , so we can get the job done quickly ” Tom explained .
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