Every day, millions of coffee drinkers contribute to an enormous amount of coffee grounds waste, with an estimated 560,000 tons discarded annually. Recognizing the potential of this organic waste, innovators worldwide are finding inventive ways to repurpose it. One remarkable initiative is taking place at a coffee shop in Barcelona, where used coffee grounds have been transformed into functional 3D printed furniture and design elements such as light fixtures, stools, and even the coffee shop bar itself.
Visitors to the D·Origen Coffee Shop in Casa Calvet, a building designed by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona's Eixample district, can see these sustainable designs firsthand. The shop features a bar, coffee-bean inspired stools, and lampshades made from a material called LOWIMPACT, which consists of 98% organic materials, including recycled PLA and used coffee grounds. This eco-friendly material has a distinctive gradient amber appearance, especially captivating when backlit.
Italian architect Arturo Tedeschi, known for his expertise in algorithmic design, collaborated with Madrid-based sustainable 3D printing company LOWPOLY on this project. Together, they utilized parametric design to create a cohesive and unique set of furniture and décor elements. The 3D printed pieces were produced using robotic large-format systems with modified extruders capable of processing high-organic content materials. This method not only repurposes waste but also eliminates material waste typically generated by traditional production methods.
LOWPOLY has a history of creating sustainable 3D printing installations using organic waste materials from various sources like olives, grapes, bananas, and oranges. Their collaborative efforts with artists and architects continue to push the boundaries of sustainable design, as seen in their recent project with architect Leonela Rivas for Marbella Design & Art.
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