Project Overview

Knot Waste is a new furniture system based on the principles of circular design. The design approach transforms a single sheet of waste material into a bespoke piece of furniture. Downloadable instructions enable anyone to build the table with minimal tools or experience.

Organisation

PriestmanGoode

 

Team

Luke Hannon
Marina Mellado
Amalie Borg-Hansen
Chris Gregory
Kirsty Dias
Ben Rowan
Guy Genney

Project Brief

Knot Waste allows anyone to create a bespoke piece of furniture from a single sheet of waste material.

To help anyone build the Knot Waste table, the instruction manual takes the maker through a step-by-step guide on how to cut and assemble the table with minimal woodwork and joinery skills, using only a sheet of waste timber, rope and handsaw. The instruction manual includes a knot guide that teaches the maker how to tie the components together correctly to ensure that the finished result is fit for purpose and durable for everyday use.

The maker can use the same methodology and adapt the size to build any items from a small stool or coffee table all the way through to a large table.

Knot Waste was conceived as part of the Skipton Big Ideas: Where Waste Meets Design exhibition at ArtsHouse Jersey in July 2022, to highlight the potential to transform materials that are typically seen as waste.

Project Innovation/Need

Knot Waste demonstrates how circularity can be applied to furniture design through a simple, intuitive and modular approach. It also encourages people to see the value and opportunities in repurposing waste materials - something that is often stigmatised. The system enables the end user to become actively involved in sourcing, design, creating and building their own piece of furniture from start to finish. Building a sustainable, bespoke piece that is completely customised to the user's needs ensures that the maker will attach value to the piece.

Also, since the pandemic, the price of buying new ply, MDF or other materials has, in some cases, doubled in price. Even without this rise, there is already an abundance of available and under-utilised materials available. What has been missing are examples and instructions for people to 'give it a go'.

Design Challenge

The design of Knot Waste follows a minimalistic approach, with components cut from a single sheet of waste material using an easy-to-follow template. The designers were able to successfully eliminate complex joints that require specialist tools. This means that the table can be made with a handsaw and be stabilised with rope. By reducing the number of table parts and tools required, the assembly process is simplified and minimal - if not, zero waste generated. The scalable drawing template contained in the instruction manual allows the maker to adjust the size of their bespoke piece.

Future Impact

It is hoped that the simple and intuitive approach, using inclusive design will encourage more people to experience the pleasure of making and feel a sense of accomplishment. Knot Waste opens the possibility of creating other items following the same principles: identifying available materials, seeing the value and taking a circular approach rather than immediately seeking virgin materials for every project. This is the latest in a range of projects and concepts developed by PG focused on a better, more sustainable future under our Reduce.Reuse.Rethink framework. Others include Get Onboard, our concept for an economy meal tray, eliminating single-use plastics by replacing them with edible, compostable and biodegradable materials - and Zero our new approach to takeaway food packaging that encourages re-use and behaviour change through the use of circular materials and enhanced aesthetic values.