Re-Crafting Plastics

jüngerkühn is a young, Berlin-based studio, which has already won multiple design awards. In addition to industrial design jüngerkühn explore the potential of digital production methods while also developing innovative production processes. The cooperation of jüngerkühn and BASF started with the German Design Graduate Award 2020, where Konrad Jünger’s diploma thesis "material driven; digitally produced" won him a ticket for a materials workshop at BASF’s Creation Center in Ludwigshafen. For their contribution to the Sustainability Project, jüngerkühn got their inspiration from the tradition earthenware and the traditional “Bembel”. www.juengerkuehn.com

jüngerkühn combines robotics with craftsmanship and extensive research into the primary materials

A mix of several thermoplastic engineering plastics (Ultradur^® / Ultramid^® A / Ultramid^® B), found in the waste bins of BASF processing technologies center, were processed by jüngerkühn. For the first time, the primary material is presented in its original shape, i.e., granules, in the final product!

For their project, jüngerkühn was inspired by traditional blue and white colored crockery from the Westerwald region known as Kannenbäckerland. jüngerkühn incorporated the crockery’s distinctive coloring as well as its uneven texture into their design.

jüngerkühn‘s contribution to Creation Center Ludwigshafen: a modern 3D printed reinterpretation of traditional crockery.

Chen Min Office was founded in 2012 in Hangzhou, China, by industrial designer Min Chen. In addition to industrial design, interior design and brand design, the office is also dedicated to research, survey & creative direction. Min Chen has been working with international brands like Bic, LOEWE, IKEA, Starbucks or SWAROVSKI. In his early years, he began studying Chinese calligraphy and has never lost his interest in traditional Chinese arts and craft. His contribution to the Sustainability Project was inspired by Chinese traditional craft bodiless lacquerware. www.chen-min.com

Freeflex™ TPU fibers are widely used in various industries, with excellent recyclability. The post-industrial recycled TPU fibers of this project come from the footwear manufacturing industry.

With inspiration from traditional Chinese bodiless lacquerware technique, Chen Min Office salvaged and handcrafted the fibers into a bodiless artwork molded from the most common porcelain vases in China. Three shapes are united into an exquisite multi-layered sculpture that playfully puzzles the eye.

Besides the main body, Chen Min Office created a plinth shaped to present the concept of ‘reflection’.  The varying hollow structure made of 2947 sticks partially mimics the reflection of the artwork’s main body. The plinth is produced with modern 3D printing technique and material, subtly contrasting with, and linked to the main body.

For the project of Creation Center Shanghai with Chen Min Office, the final artwork is named “USELESSFUL", a new and interesting interpretation of the Taoist concept “The Usefulness of Uselessness”.