Reborn objects
This project explores how furniture design can become more sustainable through reuse, material awareness, and a more responsible approach to resources. The starting point has been to investigate how design methods can shift by working with materials that already exist, rather than continuously producing new ones. The project highlights reuse as an active part of the design process, where the material’s inherent conditions influence form, construction, and expression.
The outcome consists of a lounge chair and a side table made from reclaimed wood sourced from old scaffolding planks. The wood’s cracks, knots, and variations have been intentionally preserved and have become an essential part of the furniture’s identity. By retaining traces of previous use, the project explores how materials can carry stories while gaining new value in a different context.
The work is inspired by the Japanese design philosophy of wabi-sabi, where imperfection, wear, and irregularity are seen as qualities rather than flaws. Instead of striving for perfect surfaces and forms, the focus has been on creating an expression that feels honest, alive, and closely connected to the material’s origin.
The project aims to show that reuse does not have to be a limitation, but can instead serve as a starting point for new expressions and more long-term approaches to furniture design and material use.
Special thanks to the partners and sponsors at Återbruket i Kikås for providing the materials, support, and the opportunity to work with reclaimed wood throughout the project.
rebeccalbergman@gmail.com