ammar kalo upcycles pieces of broken drainpipe to make PVC bench

to create one of his most recent furniture pieces, designer ammar kalo has utilized a somewhat unconventional material. the project, titled ‘PVC bench’, focuses on upcycling discarded plastic, and in particular, the use of broken drainpipes to form a two-person seat. commissioned by bee’ah – a waste management company based in the UAE – the work marks part of an ongoing collaboration to transform by-products into functional design objects.

overall view of the bench

all images by ammar kalo and alex callueng

the design is simple and composed in just four parts, allowing the focus to rest with the materiality of the bench. the crushed PVC pieces, which are usually sold for scrap, have been used by kalo to form the top of the seat. the remaining elements, the legs and seat support, have also been made using off-cuts of timber from previous projects. 

detail of the wooden support beam meeting the legs

the bench is made using advanced digital fabrication techniques as well as conventional tools. it’s simple form and organic details contrast with the ‘plastic’ nature of the PVC. vertical and horizontal planes stretch, deform, and pierce one another to a create a subtle composition that expresses a sense of softness. the shards of orange pipe also create a distinct surface pattern, which complements the natural grain of the walnut timber.  

closeup showing the walnut leg ‘piercing’ the plastic bench top

closeup of the PVC bench top

side view of the bench

overall view of the bench

front view detail

side view of the bench

top view showing the walnut leg ‘piercing’ the plastic bench top

project info:

project name: PVC bench

commissioned by: bee’ah

designer: ammar kalo

project team: ammar kalo, ibrahim ibrahim

materials: upcycled crushed PVC pipes, resin, walnut

year: 2019

photography: ammar kalo and alex callueng

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom