arequipeña repurposes its beer bottles into UV-resistant architectural tiles in peru

from Arequipeña’s beer bottles to uv-resistant tiles

The city of Arequipa, Peru, endures one of the highest UV radiations in the world, ‘a problem that affects thousands of citizens in their daily routines. To tackle this issue with an innovative approach to design, Arequipeña from the regional beer brand AB InBev has proposed a collection of UV-resistant Bottle Tiles. Designed by Sandro Angoaldo and Eddy Mérida, the tiles are cut from Arequipeña’s iconic bottles’ 400-UV protection glass and re-assembled for use across bars and bus stops, uplifting the urban fabric while ensuring UV protection for the people.

all images courtesy of the author

protecting citizens while uplifting the urban fabric

Arequipeña’s bottles are made with high UV protection to shield the contents from sunlight. Extending this ideology into the public realm, the design team has devised a unique solution to the natural and geographical issue of radiation exposure and protect Arequipa’s citizens. Inspired by the city’s architecture, the Bottle Tiles have been installed along roofs, bars, and bus stops across the city, offering durable UV protection to passersby while raising awareness about the dangers of sunlight exposure. The durable structures also offering important information about sun care and the dangers of radiation through QR codes.

inspired by the architecture of the city, Bottle Tiles shelter bars and bus stops across Arequipa

across the urban fabric, the tiles deliver UV protection to citizens

the Bottle Tiles are created from cut and rejoined from Arequipeña’s glass bottles

through QR codes along the structures, users of the spaces can learn more about the sun care

Arequipeña Beer repurposed its 400-UV protected glass for Bottle Tiles

sheltering people from UV radiation while uplifting the city with their glistening form

creation process

project info:

name: Bottle Tiles
designer: Sandro Angobaldo, Eddy Mérida

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: ravail khan | designboom