Upcycled Showpieces by Ngee Ann Poly School of Design & Environment Students

Following a hackathon organised by three parties (Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)’s School of Design and Environment, Chua Chu Kang Town Council and Brickland Sustainability Workgroup), an idea called Project Circular was hatched to give discarded household items a second life by engaging students from NP’s Diploma in Design to turn them into new furniture. This idea was part of a bigger vision to introduce residents to the merits of the circular economy—an approach that could help societies reduce waste, make production less resource-intensive, inspire responsible consumption and even help firms decarbonise.

The project has received support from a furniture manufacturer in the form of guidance on design, construction and marketing. The story of this project would also be a key feature of a TV episode on the Singapore Green Plan, focusing on one of five pillars in the Singapore Green Plan 2030—the Green Economy.

Nearly 1,000 kilogrammes of discarded wood furniture were collected from residents living in Brickland before the wood pieces were given a new lease of life by 39 second-year design students. In the end, 35 pieces of furniture were reimagined and upcycled.

​Nine of the furniture will be at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre as part of NP School of Design and Environment’s graduation showcase from 17 to 27 March 2022. Admission is free.

Proceeds from the sale will be donated to Brickland Cares to fund green initiatives and underserved community needs.

Location:	Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre 30A Yishun Central, Singapore 768796
Date:	17 to 27 March 2022
Time:	10am to 8pm

Wave Planter
Two angular pieces of wood gets reimagined into the curves of the Wave Planter, a cat planter lounger inspired by terraced paddy fields. Households without a resident feline can use it as a storage for daily use.

The Chairlex
Foldable chairs get a new lease of life as The Chairlex, a foldable ground chair specially made for the casual mobile gamer.

The Duo
Created from a set of old wardrobes, DUO is a multifunctional piece of furniture where one side can be customed for relaxation while the other side is used to store work essentials.

Source: Ngee Ann Polytechnic | Media & Content, Corporate Communications

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