Design: Six-Pack Ring Pendant Lights
Materials: post-consumer six-pack rings
Designer: Bao-Khang Luu
"I’m a lifelong upcycler. I spent my much of my childhood in the Midwest surrounded by numerous siblings and relatives. We were poor, but we compensated with creativity. I grew up watching my father repurpose materials around the house to make repairs and create new useful things. Nothing went to waste. He even made nunchuks from steel pipes and electrical tape."
"I was expected pursue law or medicine. Instead I painted, designed, and danced my way through college. I spent a few years dancing for couple Modern dance companies. To combine my interests I moved to NYC, where I fully realized my penchant for making and was rewarded with another nifty design degree from Parsons School of Design. Early in 2010, I cobbled together my first pendant light. Relevé Design was incorporated shortly after.
Having watched my father upcycle over the years, coupled with my passion for design and the arts, led me to Relevé Design. I look at everything and see potential. Am I an eco warrior? No. I just can’t stand waste.
Relevé Design transforms commonly discarded materials into new useful lighting, home accessories, and furniture. By injecting a hefty dose of design into upcycling, we make beautiful and desirable objects that happen to be eco-friendly too.
Relevé Design offers collections in limited edition. Each collection focuses on one type of discarded material upcycled into one type of object. The inaugural collection upcycles post-consumer six-pack rings into a series of pendant lights."
Designer: Bao-Khang Luu Link: www.relevedesign.com Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Looks kind of cool, but I think I'd like to see it in person to be sure it doesn't look like trash. I only buy soda in 12 packs and don't ever deal with those plastics.
I, too, would like to see in real life. The photos look great, but that is sometimes deceptive.
I like the concept -- this really is "UPcycling" assuming the lamps look nice close up, rather than the kind of thing where trash is converted into a one-time party use THEN taken to the landfill. THAT kind of "upcycling" is just a lie that bugs me to death!
I could believe these would be similar to IKEA plastic lampshades -- so I hope the price isn't hugely more.
Thanks for commenting, atomicranch79 and SherryBinNH.
I totally agree that a lot of upcycled things can look thrown together. I worked through numerous prototypes and construction methods to arrive at my final line. You can visit the Relevé Design website to see large photos. I'm also planning to get some lights out to a couple shops around NYC in the future so people can see them up close!
The lights are perfect for everyday use at home and definitely not meant for "one-time party use".
Individual lights are handwoven (not mass-produced) which can take up to a week.
No problem Bao-Khang Luu. Nice to hear from the designer and so promptly too! I'm in big support of upcycling and I too learned a lot from my dad and I'm always working on DIY projects to restore, create and maintain things.
This is a lovely idea and exhibits great reuse. As for those concerned about it looking like 'trash', it is trash - reappropriated and that is its charm.
Thanks for the comment, thirdwheel. You hit it right on the nose!
I could have designed pendant light using new plastic, or I could have processed the six-pack rings into an unrecognizable form. But I went through great lengths to figure out a construction method to keep them whole and unaltered (no gluing, cutting, burning, melting). I wanted the material to be discernible, if you look closely at each light.
I really see charm and potential in all materials, especially things we commonly discard on a daily basis. My designs are about reappropriating and reworking materials so other people can see that potential too.
it is great design. How you come-up with the idea useing six pack ring and how can you collected so many rings to complete your design?
Standing in the office kitchen one day I happened to glance into the trash can. A small stack of six-pack rings sat in the trash heap. I thought it was such a waste that these were used once, for one purpose, and would end up in a land fill.
The material has a pattern, is pliable and translucent. It's such a shame that something purposely designed loses value so quickly. I wanted to re-envision it's designed characteristics and keep the material fully intact. It's my way of acknowledging and honoring the thought, work, and energy put into making a disposable and seemingly insignificant object.
I collect used rings from local businesses.
perfect design! it's a great job with a lot of patien(per collect those wasted-stuff)to create new things and usfull,hopfuuly people will keep recycle-stuff and asking for your advise,and you might collect a reward in the future per your new IDEAL.Keep go on.
Nice job in creativity. Can't imagine six different lamp shapes can be built with 6-pack plastic can holders. Keep up with the imagination and designing.
Love it!
My favorite. Much respect Bao-Khang Luu.
Gosh! Thanks, bkbrownstone!
Incredible idea! At my office the man who puts the plastic connectors for canned soda after putting the cans into the soda machine drives me nuts. I wish more people knew how these can hurt animals. I would love to go to a store in NYC to buy one. You need more press coverage :)
David
Actually, David, that's how I got started. Over a year later the vending machine guys are still saving rings for me. One lamp can use 100 to 400 rings, so I have other sources, but I'm always looking for additional ones!
Luckily, today, LDPE six-pack rings photodegrade under UV, so they'll break down into smaller pieces (supposedly at a slower rate in salt water). Also, they are recyclable, though recycling (downcycling) isn't available for them everywhere.
I'm working on getting them into a couple shops around NYC in the future. You can sign up on my mailing list or check in with my blog to stay updated.
Thanks for all your comments, David!
Upcycle. Geez.