Amsterdam designer Quintus Kropholler designed the 'Black Gold' collection, a line of homeware made from asphalt and concrete. The line is comprised of two vases, a side table, a bookstand, small tray, pyramid and bench prototype.
Asphalt, a form of petroleum, is combined with rock fragments to create tarmac, a material most frequently used for roads and pavement. Kropholler explains, "Asphalt is a ubiquitous material in our urban fabric. It is everywhere, but since it is only regarded in purely functional terms its potential remains unseen."
Kropholler's collection urges viewers to take a second look; where we once saw only utility, we might now see beauty. Kropholler cast each object in steel moulds heated to 180 degrees centigrade. He then pressed and binded the material into its final form.
Tarmac Homeware Collections
The Black Gold Collection Sees the Hidden Potential of Petroleum
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Homeware - Using unconventional materials like asphalt and concrete to create homeware challenges traditional notions of sustainability and opens doors to more eco-friendly designs.
2. Reimagined Urban Materials - Exploring the hidden potential of materials like asphalt and concrete for homeware design offers opportunities for reimagining urban spaces and creating unique products.
3. Functional Aesthetics - The 'Black Gold' collection demonstrates the concept of functional aesthetics, where everyday materials can be transformed into visually appealing and practical pieces for the home.
Industry Implications
1. Home Decor - The use of unconventional materials in homeware design presents an opportunity for the home decor industry to innovate and create unique and sustainable products.
2. Construction and Infrastructure - Exploring alternative uses for materials like asphalt and concrete in homeware design could lead to new possibilities and applications in the construction and infrastructure industry.
3. Sustainability - By reimagining the use of petroleum-based materials in homeware, the sustainability industry can find disruptive innovation opportunities for more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient products.