Not until I have my coffee....

In the spring and summer, I take my used coffee grounds and fertilize my plants with it.  I've never looked at them and thought, hmmm, if I melt down my creamer container & add some coffee grinds, I could make a cool countertop material. 

But the fellas @Re-worked did.  Reworked developed Curface, a 99% post-consumer recycled surfacing material composed of recycled coffee grounds and post-consumer plastic waste. Coffee ground waste from office, cafes and factories across the United Kingdom are gathered, cleaned and sterilized before being mixed and turned into sheet goods.

Here are the details on the material:

• Standard sheet size is 2000mm by 1000mm (6.5' x 3.25') and available in 5 (.19"), 12 (.47"), 18 (.70") and 25mm (.98") thicknesses. 
• Curface is comparable to composite wood boards, most woodwork tools can be used. (I'd verify the specific tools with the manufacturer before cutting.)  
• Sheets have a matte pressed finish and should require no additional finishing. (No lacquer, no stains, no sealants = no added VOCs!)
• Scratches can be sanded out with fine grit sand paper. 
• Clean with a mild detergent and warm water, do not use any solvent cleaners.
• Curface an not be exposed to excessive heat or boiling water. This will cause the material to melt and burn.
• Visit this link to see the potential color range
• Custom colors available for large orders

Curface is brand spanking new. It was officially launched March 2010 at EcoBuild in London and they are currently working on a coffee shop installation in Milan. I'm jealous. Europe always has the coolest products.  All I can do is sit back and wait for Curface to come to the US.  I hope it will be approved for use in commercial applications.

Here are some images of Curface chairs Reworked has created with designer Nick Rawcliffe. The ash wood used for the legs and back came from an Ash tree that was cut down back 2005.  I have no idea how much it costs, but Adam and Nick will sign the first 50 chairs sold. And look, they made cute little bears from the left over Ash wood ( I want one!)

For more information:

info@re-worked.co.uk

Re-worked

http://re-worked.blogspot.com/

I wonder how many cupppa joes it takes to make a 4x8 sheet. And I wonder if you could do the same thing with tea leaves....

Spring has sprung!

Sorry for not posting last week, but spring has officially sprung and I wanted to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful weather.  It looks as though I am not the only one with spring fever,  I received a lovely email this week from Colour Lover's Color + Design Blog.  I loved the spring inspiration & colors so much, I thought I would share them with you.

Visit the link for the full post & subscribe to the Colour Lover's blog. You won't regret it!

Spring Color Love: Post Your Palettes

Photos shared by estatic (flickr). Photos link to originals.

Project Crush: Dobpler ınteractive Led Wall by Skjelvik Design

As an active partner of the European Capital of Culture Project, Sandnes Municipality (Sandnes, Norway) decided to develop projects that actively engage everyone, emphasized the most important qualities of the city, created visual changes in the city’s image, created sustainable values building and enhancing the identity of a fast-changing society and used light as the artistic medium presenting the young and modern city of Sandnes. 

The result was Watercolours a collection of eight light installations throughout the city. 

All eight light installations are amazing and inspirational. But I would have to say "Strømmer" (translates to Streams and Flows in English) made for Snøhetta Architects in cooperation with Prototyper AS and Rasmus Hildonenis  is my favorite because it engages the community and encourages people to interact with the architecture. Luminous "shadows" are created in response to movement. The shadows mirror the actions of the passerby; walking, jumping, dancing, or bicycling.  (See images below, courtesy credits: Skjelvik Design2008 | www.NullOhm.com  )

But it's not just a fun interactive wall.  It increases public safety. Sandnes' city center is divided in two by the railway line.  Streams and Flows is installed in a tunnel underneath the rail line and illuminates the walkway for pedestrians and traffic. It is also a testament to the energy saving benefits of L.E.D. technology.  The installation is composed of 27 square meters of LEDs provide light and the total energy consumption is smaller than 3 regular 60 watt light bulbs!  And LEDs have an amazing long life span!

Take a gander at this video of an adorable toddler interacting with the Dobpler Interactive L.E.D. wall.  This tyke is not alone, check out photo #8 to see child-like joy on the faces of adults interacting with the installation. If I ever see this installation in person, I would do the same thing.  Do you think you could resist the temptation?

If you like this project, check out these related links: 

Dobpler Interactive L.E.D. Wall

Skjelvik Design

Snøhetta Architects

WaterColours

Wishing Well (Part of the Watercolours project, but installed on the floor!)