ThusThat and Tonkin Liu Teamed Up to Reimagine Aluminum By-Product
Elena Rahman — August 17, 2021 — Eco
Red mud is an aluminum by-product that has recently gained recognition as a potentially sustainable material resource in the design and scientific world. UK-based design group ThusThat explores the possibilities of use with this abundant material in collaboration with Tonkin Liu.
To make aluminum, alumina is extracted from bauxite ore, which creates a red mud residue. This by-product has been around since the late 19th century, yet only three percent of it is repurposed. Tonkin Liu, a London-based architecture studio, uses seawater to neutralize the material's alkalinity. With the help of ThusThat, the pair created a tile-like product out of red mud, with numerous uses such as garden water features, roofing materials, and building environments for plants and wildlife. Each tile is scalable and modular to join together seamlessly.
Image Credit: ThusThat /Tonkin Liu
To make aluminum, alumina is extracted from bauxite ore, which creates a red mud residue. This by-product has been around since the late 19th century, yet only three percent of it is repurposed. Tonkin Liu, a London-based architecture studio, uses seawater to neutralize the material's alkalinity. With the help of ThusThat, the pair created a tile-like product out of red mud, with numerous uses such as garden water features, roofing materials, and building environments for plants and wildlife. Each tile is scalable and modular to join together seamlessly.
Image Credit: ThusThat /Tonkin Liu
Trend Themes
1. Repurposing Red Mud - Red mud as a material resource is gaining recognition and can be repurposed for various applications.
2. Sustainable Design - Designers are exploring the possibilities of red mud as a sustainable building material.
3. Modular Design - Modular design is becoming increasingly popular with the creation of red mud tiles.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Red mud can be used in the architecture industry for roofing, building environments for plants and wildlife, and garden water features.
2. Construction - The construction industry can use red mud tiles for various applications, including roofing materials and wall panels.
3. Environmental Science - Environmental scientists can use red mud as a sustainable material resource in research and development projects.
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