Director Anson Kong says the collaboration of designers and makers is on a quest to put an end to the unnecessary and premature disposal of furniture during residential and commercial renovations. An Australian study estimates Sydney produces about 48,000 tonnes of furniture waste every year. Anson says it’s likely to be a similar amount in Aotearoa New Zealand as our population is about the same size.
“For years we have seen countless perfectly usable or slightly damaged furniture get tossed out of convenience or because it no longer seems valuable due to quality, function, or aesthetic reasons.”
After trialling materials and prototyping designs, Spacebar Design’s answer was a range of modular furniture designed for longevity. Components are designed to be repaired, replaced or repurposed. It uses materials that are recycled and durable, including plywood that is free of harmful chemicals. It also designs products with production processes in mind. This helps maximise material use and reduce waste. Most offcuts can be reused or repurposed. The focus on design saves costs on materials and waste management.
A ‘thank you’ note is engraved into every wooden component. It encourages customers to contact the Spacebar team if for any reason the product is no longer needed.
“That way we can assist them to make any changes with the least amount of impact on our environment.”
Anson says shifting the mindset of clients to repurpose furniture rather than replace it is important.
“We want to make sure they understand the full lifecycle of our furniture and how it can be adapted to their changing needs. We have completed multiple reconfiguration projects saving a significant cost for our clients while creating more efficient work spaces.”