Forite
Waste to Value
2019–2021
Introduction
Based on a volume of existing material research by Studio Plastique, Forite evolved as a collaborative research project between Studio Plastique and Snøhetta, intending to explore the potential applications of recycled e-waste glass. Through several prototypes and variations, a process for recycling e-waste glass components was developed, leading to us creating an application integrating and celebrating its variable material quality: Forite glass tiles.
Italian ceramic tile manufacturer Fornace Brioni later joined the team, bringing their experience, industrial know-how, production facilities, and potential for scalability to the project.
Technical details
Sand as a resource
Although typically associated with beaches and playgrounds, sand is a resource essential to the continued functioning of our technology-driven society. Sand makes our electronic devices work, our homes light and warm, our communication faster, and our energy consumption more sustainable. It is integral to producing silicon microchips, fiberoptic cables, insulation, and solar cells. Moreover, sand is the primary ingredient in glass, which is used in consumer electronic products such as fridges, microwaves, and computers.
Despite great efforts to extract, transport, refine and process sand into complex electronic components, little is done to recycle these components when electronic goods reach the end of their lives, and they usually end of in the dump. Glass has material properties excellent for recycling, but EU directives on effectively processing glass from electronic waste (e-waste) do not currently exist. Sand is a finite resource, and as the volume of e-waste is increasing rapidly worldwide, we need strategies and solutions.
Photo: Fornace Brioni
Photo: Snøhetta/Studio Plastique
Photo: Fornace Brioni
Unique expressions
Made from recycled glass from microwave ovens, the tiles have been developed in two different sizes. The tiles are both opaque and transparent, each with a unique pattern and expression. With a deeply complex, terrazzo-like material quality, they are suitable for a wide range of architectural applications, including both surface coverage and as semi-transparent partition elements.
Photo: OiOiOi
Photo: OiOiOi
Forite positively leverages the unique properties of composition, color and structure inherent in the waste material into a series of architectural glass tiles. In an industry that demands transparency and consistency as a standard, the tiles embrace the variance and complexity already embedded in the recycled material. Focus has been put on waste glass from ovens and microwaves as a starting point to demonstrate the aesthetic depth, function, and potential of the recycled material, but the project is not limited to this material stream alone.
Photo: OiOiOi
Collaboration
This collaboration between Snøhetta, Studio Plastique and Fornace Brioni meets contemporary challenges with ambitious, pragmatic and scalable solutions. Working across disciplines, organizations and specializations, the project is an example of how collaboration and curiosity can contribute to creating significant changes within circular and sustainable design.
Awards
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