Inspired by the concept of Euclidean space, Axis is a collection of tables designed using recycled materials sourced from the sea. Presented by the BlueCycle studio and designed by Alessandro Gorla (Studio Algoritmo), it stands as an innovative example of circular design.
BlueCycle, based in Greece, is a pioneering company in the field of circular economy. Founded with the aim of tackling marine pollution, it collects plastic waste generated by fishing and maritime activities, such as nets, ropes, and buoys. These materials are then transformed into high-quality products using specially modified large-format 3D printers.
Alessandro Gorla is an Italian designer who teaches at ISAD in Chihuahua, Mexico, where he developed the IDE&A program (Italian Design Experience & Apprenticeship). He has organized, in collaboration with Cieloterra Design, events at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the Rome Architecture Festival under the title “Design Match.” Additionally, he teaches Product Design Laboratories in undergraduate and Master’s courses at various Italian universities. In 2013, he founded Studio Algoritmo, a firm specializing in product, interior, and graphic design, where he serves as Creative Director.
The Axis Collection
The table series features a 3D-printed base combined with a frosted glass top, allowing a glimpse of the underlying forms, evoking the marine origin of the materials and the sustainable manufacturing process. A dynamic collection, characterized by vertical components that enable various configurations depending on the chosen frosted glass top.
Each table is customizable in shape, color, and size, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings. Made with at least 60% marine plastic and a percentage of fiberglass, BlueCycle products are fully recyclable and ensure a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to using virgin plastic. Each piece is also traceable, providing transparency throughout the entire process, from material collection to the creation of the final product. We asked BlueCycle and Alessandro Gorla some questions to delve deeper into their approach to the project and circular design.
How is the collection disposed of?
BlueCycle: All the objects we 3D print are 100% recyclable in our lab. Printing errors and test prints are collected, shredded, and used to print new products with the same material. In general, BlueCycle Lab can be described as a zero-waste lab.
What types of plastics do you handle?
BlueCycle: We collect PA6, PP, PE, and PS. These are the types of polymers used in fishing gear and ropes. All the types of plastic we collect are recyclable.
Alessandro, what were the main sources of inspiration for designing Axis collection?
Alessandro: The inspirations came as soon as I heard about the BlueCycle project during a major trade fair in Italy, where they were showcasing their products. It was incredibly stimulating for me to engage with this initiative, which cleans the seas of ghost nets and ropes to create new products, thereby contributing, even in a small way, to improving the planet. For the design of the table bases, I drew inspiration from the production technology itself, specifically 3D printing, which operates along the X, Y, and Z axes, and its additive process. The letters were designed on a plane and then developed vertically following the logic of extrusion, while the frosted glass top was chosen to create a “water surface” effect, allowing the tips of the bases to emerge.
How do you incorporate the concept of circular design into your projects?
Alessandro: Circularity and sustainability should always be integrated into any project. Even though it may risk sounding rhetorical, I believe there is still much to do to make production truly sustainable and to raise awareness on the issue. Designers have significant communicative power, and I think they should, in addition to influencing purchasing choices, guide users’ behaviors and actions through their products. We know well that no single project can change the world, but the world changes one project at a time. Therefore, working with a focus on sustainability, improving materials and processes, is a duty for every designer.
For more information about the Axis collection, visit the BlueCycle website, and don’t miss updates from the zero-waste lab e di Alessandro Gorla on Instagram!
