Berlin, Germany
Berlin-based Julieta Benito Sanz and Dirk Lachmann have designed the bold Minimono Project as a new collection of sustainable furniture after a rigorous research process that lasted two years that involved the testing of multiple materials and the production of several prototypes,
The aim was to produce a sustainable collection of furniture guided by the principles of circular design as a humble attempt to craft a better future for furniture production.
That’s why they have embarked on a family-run furniture business that recycles HDPE plastic sheets to create a range of pieces suitable throughout the home.
Sanz and Lachmann have come up with a set of multifunctional furniture that’s also durable and 100% sustainable.
Called Minimono, the project uses non-toxic and 100% recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from secondary raw materials sourced from local suppliers.
This in turn makes each piece unique as its color depends on the recycling batch and the current HDPE waste.
This waste source is then grounded into plastic pellets and melted down to form each piece.
This collaboration between Julieta, an architect, and Dirk, an art gallerist and wood designer, combines their technical and artistic capabilities to produce a series of furniture pieces that is long-lasting and can easily be adapted for multiple uses, in myriad environments and by users of different ages, thus making it a suitable product for all kinds of small and large families.
The assembly of these furniture pieces also does not require any extra tools.
In an attempt to subvert the normative usage of single-use plastic that take several centuries to decompose, the designer duo decided to follow the principles of circular design in order to contribute towards the reduction of the cumulative waste that is borne out of regularly discarded furniture.
The chairs and tables that form part of their latest collection are made out of HDPE plastic sheets, that on the one hand, are upcycled from previously discarded, but non-toxic plastic and on the other, aim to encourage a positive consumption pattern amongst its users.
The production process of these pieces involved the design of the prototypes on CAD software and the cutting of the furniture pieces from flattened plastic sheets with the help of CNC machines.
The pieces cut out from each sheet were later accumulated and recycled for the next HDPE plastic sheet.
The philosophy of sustainability does not, however, cease to drive the process at this stage.
In fact, it manifests in the way these products are packaged and transported, in flat packs containing unassembled parts of the furniture, thus reducing the carbon footprint of transport and shipment.
Built to last through several generations, these furniture pieces can go from being used as stools, study tables and ladders to display units, seatings and side tables.
The usage of plastic sheets also ensures that they are water-resistant and easy to clean, and thus, suitable for usage in both indoor and outdoor environments.
“Plastic is a revolutionary material with incredible properties and it is not only essential for many industries and full of advantages for everyday life,” states the studio.
“It is lightweight yet strong, water-resistant, shock-resistant, thermally insulating, and easy to clean. We believe it is the exact opposite of rubbish and is entirely useful when used the right way.”
At present, Minimono offers two different styles of plastic, Confetti or Camouflage, both of which have a distinctive, speckled appearance.
Project: The Minimono Project
Designers: Julieta Benito Sanz and Dirk Lachmann
Manufacturer: Julieta Benito Sanz and Dirk Lachmann
Photographers: Anne Deppe
