We explore the sustainable transformation of coffee waste into functional art at D·Origen Coffee Roasters’ café, located in Barcelona’s historic Casa Calvet.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of LOWPOLY
Nestled within the historic Casa Calvet in Barcelona, the D·Origen Coffee Roasters café exemplifies the intersection between environmental responsibility and innovative design, showcasing the transformative potential of recycled materials in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Their application of design and technology seamlessly blends tradition with modernity.
Designed by Gianluca Pugliese and his team at LOWPOLY, D·Origen represents a visionary approach to sustainability. The team has reimagined coffee consumption and waste as integral components of a sustainable design solution. The architectural vision of the coffee shop draws inspiration from the fluidity and richness of coffee, and translates these sensory experiences into tangible forms of furniture that engage all the senses.
The Design and Crafting Process
Creating the bespoke furniture pieces for D·Origen involved a sophisticated and meticulous design and crafting process. The team at LOWPOLY, led by Gianluca, collaborated with renowned designer Arturo Tedeschi to bring their vision to life. Utilizing artificial intelligence and parametric design, they were able to translate the sensory experience of coffee into tangible forms that engage the senses beyond the visual.
The custom furniture pieces, including counters, lamps, and stools, were crafted using advanced 3D printing techniques. Large-format 3D printers equipped with modified Rev3rd extruders were used to handle the high-organic-content material. This technology allowed for precise control over the printing process, ensuring that each piece met the project’s standards.
To achieve the highest level of precision, industrial robotic arms were employed in the crafting process. These arms facilitated the creation of five unique elements that define the coffee shop’s aesthetic, ensuring consistency and accuracy in each piece. The result is a harmonious blend of form and function. Every element serves a purpose and contributes to the overall design narrative.
Sustainable Materials and Techniques
The cornerstone of D·Origen’s design lies in its use of LOWIMPACT material, developed by LOWPOLY. This material is a blend of recycled PLA and coffee grounds, making it both biodegradable and petroleum-free. With 98% organic content, LOWIMPACT aims to offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics and synthetic materials.
According to Gianluca, the use of coffee grounds is particularly significant: “Coffee is the second most consumed beverage globally, with 110 to 120 million 60-kg bags consumed annually, translating to approximately 2.25 billion cups daily. This consumption generates around 60 million tons of spent coffee grounds (SCG) each year, most of which end up in landfills. Projects like D·Origen demonstrate how SCG can be sustainably repurposed, transforming waste into innovative materials for design and construction.”
Varying densities of coffee grounds create unique color tones and textures in the material. These variations create natural shades that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the furniture. The amber textures of the LOWIMPACT material, when backlit, create light effects that enhance the beauty of the counters.
One of the standout features of the furniture is its embrace of imperfections and irregularities. Rather than hiding these characteristics, the design transforms them into distinctive features that add character and depth to the pieces. This approach highlights the natural beauty of the material and reinforces the concept of sustainability.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
The D·Origen café project is a demonstration of circular design principles in action. By using recycled coffee grounds to create 3D-printed furniture, the project addresses significant environmental issues, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. This approach reduces waste and promotes the idea of repurposing and reusing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
“We are delighted to welcome coffee lovers to our new location at Casa Calvet,“ shared Michael Uhlig, D·Origen’s owner. “Our goal is to offer not only a great cup of coffee but also a complete experience. The coffee bars designed by Gianluca and his team are a testament to our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.“
As the world continues to seek sustainable solutions, the team behind the D·Origen café project encourages us to rethink our approach to waste and to explore new ways of creating beauty and functionality from what we discard. In doing so, it paves the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.
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