The Citarum Current Collection

The design process involved a comprehensive and professional approach to meet two distinct briefs. Initially, ideation sketching was used to brainstorm and refine concepts where the focus was on creating a chair that meets ergonomic standards and accommodates a wide range of users. Key features like dual seating heights and a wider seat were incorporated to enhance comfort and functionality, and the chair’s multifunctionality extends to transforming it into a table.

Next, 3D modelling was used to visualise the chosen design. This step was significant to ensure the design efficiently utilised the plastic sheets. The design was meticulously restricted to ensure efficient nesting of parts to minimise waste. Research was conducted on various joints and patterns to enhance the design’s integrity and ease of assembly.

Prototyping began with 3D printing a swatch of a part of the chair with the Kawung-inspired pattern to test its structural integrity. Feedback was sought through presentations to peers, which helped refine the design further. A full-scale prototype was then constructed using plywood, allowing for detailed assessment and adjustments to the assembly process. This stage ensured the joints were sturdy and the construction process was smooth.

The design was selected to be prototyped in Indonesia through collaboration with Precious Plastic Bandung. Here, the furniture was produced from locally sourced waste plastic. The Kawung pattern on the chair worked as a connection between local culture and broader environmental themes. In the final stage, the chair design was adjusted to allow for even easier assembly and a new wave pattern. This new pattern not only represents the waterways from the rivers in Indonesia to the shores of Australia but also reduces plastic waste during production by requiring less cutting and eliminating offcuts.

The Citarum Current Collection excels in meeting the fundamental criteria for good design. Functionality is ensured through ergonomic features, ease of assembly, and multifunctionality, as the chair can also be used as a table, and the stool and shoe rack serve multiple purposes. The aesthetics are enhanced by the combination of the blue colour and wave pattern, which also improves the chair’s durability by providing drainage holes. The quality of the materials and construction is clear, with a focus on sustainability through the use of recycled plastics.

User experience was a key consideration in the design process. The chair’s dual seating heights and wider seat accommodate various user needs, while the easy assembly process ensures convenience. The stool and shoe rack offer multifunctional uses, further enhancing the collection’s practicality and purposeful use of material.

This project sets a new benchmark for design excellence in Victoria by showcasing how upcycled materials can be transformed into high-quality, functional products. It also advocates effective use for material by demonstrating how offcuts can turn into functional pieces when waste reduction is taken into consideration from the start of the design process.

It communicates the benefits of investing in professional design by highlighting the potential for innovative, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. The collection’s design excellence not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the design briefs, promoting a holistic, sustainable, and user-centred approach.

The Citarum Current Collection is unique in its approach to material usage. By using only two recycled plastic sheets for all three pieces of furniture, the design minimises waste and maximises efficiency. The stool and display case, secondary products from leftover materials, highlight the innovative use of resources.

The design addresses the challenge of creating functional, aesthetically pleasing products from recycled plastic sheets in an innovative manner. The wave pattern on the chair is a unique design feature that represents the flow of waterways, symbolising the connection between local rivers that leads out to the open ocean. This pattern is decorative, symbolic, and functional.

The project is user-centred, addressing the needs of a diverse range of users with its ergonomic design and multifunctionality. The easy assembly process ensures that the furniture can be conveniently put together and used in various settings, both indoors and outdoors.

This project is not only a solution to the problem of plastic waste polluting rivers and oceans, but also a creative opportunity to showcase the potential and value of recycled materials. The design’s originality and focus on sustainability set it apart, offering new and unconventional features throughout the design process that emphasise environmental responsibility.

The Citarum Current Collection aims to make a positive impact socially, environmentally, and commercially. Socially, it raises awareness about the importance of recycling and the potential of upcycled materials. The collection’s design promotes the value of recycled plastics and encourages others to consider sustainable practices.

Environmentally, the project contributes to the cleanup of rivers and ocean in Indonesia through the use of nearly 50 kg of recycled plastic for one set of furniture. The furniture is also designed to be recyclable, supporting a circular economy by minimising waste and promoting the reuse of materials. The use of blue colour in the design represents water, further emphasising the environmental message.

Commercially, the collection demonstrates the benefits of investing in professional design. It showcases how sustainable materials can be used to create high-quality, functional furniture that meets the needs of modern consumers. This project enhances Victoria’s reputation for innovative and sustainable design, contributing to the state’s creative culture.

Overall, the Citarum Current Collection represents a significant step towards promoting environmental sustainability through design. It highlights the importance of well considered and professional design processes in creating impactful and meaningful solutions to global challenges.

The Citarum Current Collection exemplifies excellence in circular design and sustainable principles. The project focuses on reducing waste by using recycled plastic sheets sourced from the Citarum River. Each sheet, weighing about 25 kg, is transformed into functional furniture, minimising the environmental impact.

The design adheres to the principles of a circular economy by ensuring that the materials used are recyclable. The furniture is designed to be easily disassembled, allowing for the recycling of its components at the end of its lifecycle. This approach not only minimises waste but also regenerates natural systems by promoting the reuse of materials.

The collection’s design process emphasises the efficient use of materials. By creating secondary products like the stool and shoe rack from leftover plastic sheets, the project maximises resource utilisation. This approach reduces the need for additional raw materials and highlights the potential of upcycled materials.

Sustainability is also reflected in the choice of colour and pattern. The blue hue and waves represents water, symbolising the project’s connection to the Citarum River and the broader environmental context. This design choice reinforces the importance of water conservation and the need to address pollution.

In summary, the Citarum Current Collection sets a high standard for sustainable design by being based on circular economy principles, promoting the reuse of materials, and raising awareness about environmental issues. The project demonstrates how professional design can contribute to a more sustainable future, showcasing the benefits of investing in innovative and eco-friendly solutions.