From waste to masterpiece: how The New Raw creatively tackles the plastic crisis
Imagine sitting on a park bench that just a few weeks ago was plastic waste floating in the ocean. What sounds like science fiction is already a reality in Rotterdam - thanks to The New Raw, a design studio that is revolutionizing the way we think about plastic waste.
In the heart of Rotterdam, architects Panos Sakkas and Foteini Setaki have been transforming what others would describe as worthless into true design treasures since 2015. Their "magic workshop" combines state-of-the-art robot technology with traditional craftsmanship - a combination that makes The New Raw pioneers of the sustainable design movement.
What sets The New Raw apart from other recycling initiatives is their innovative approach: instead of using standard recycling processes, they rely on a combination of digital manufacturing and artistic design. Each of their pieces bears a distinctive "layered signature" - like tree rings that tell the story of the material.
From the street to the city: Print Your City
The flagship project"Print Your City" impressively demonstrates how citizen participation and sustainability can go hand in hand. In Thessaloniki, residents were able to design their own street furniture for the first time - made from their city's plastic waste. The result? Unique seating that is not only practical, but also tells a story.
With their award-winning project"Second Nature", The New Raw proves that even marine plastic can be transformed into high-quality design. The initiative, which won the Rossana Orlandi Plastic Prize in 2020, shows that environmental protection and aesthetic design do not have to be opposites.
The studio's work has long since conquered the design world. International media such as Architectural Digest and the Financial Times regularly report on their innovations. Partnerships with global players such as Adidas and Nike as well as cities such as Amsterdam underline the practical relevance of their work.
Lessons for our future
The New Raw's success story provides important insights for the future of sustainable design. The most innovative solutions are created at the interface of technology and creativity - a principle that the studio demonstrates on a daily basis. Particularly valuable is the realization that sustainability gains strength through the active participation of people. When citizens themselves become part of the design process, a deeper understanding of the importance of recycling and resource conservation emerges. Last but not least, the development of the studio shows that the path to innovation leads through constant experimentation. Only those who are prepared to break new ground and learn from mistakes can develop ground-breaking solutions. The New Raw shows you that solving the plastic crisis requires more than technical innovation - it requires creative thinking and the courage to break new ground. Through their educational initiatives, they inspire the next generation of designers to rethink sustainability.
The New Raw proves that plastic waste is not an unsolvable problem, but an opportunity for innovation. Its success shows that sustainable solutions can not only be environmentally friendly, but also aesthetically pleasing and economically viable.
The studio is not only setting new standards in sustainable design - it is also changing the way you look at what you call "waste". Perhaps the solution to the plastic crisis lies not only in avoiding it, but also in the creative transformation of what already exists.
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Text: Linda Meier
Picture credits: The New Raw
