Nome Prodotto
Common Sands – Forite
Architetti
Snøhetta
Vetro architettonico
Vetro decorativo and Vetri isolanti
Piastrelle
Rivestimento in pietra
Materiale
Vetro

Giving new life to glass from electronic waste

Although typically associated with beaches and playgrounds, sand is a resource essential to the continued functioning of our technology-driven society. Sand makes our electronic devices work, our homes light and warm, our communication faster and our energy consumption more sustainable. It is integral to the production of silicon microchips, fiberoptic cables, insulation and solar cells. Moreover, sand is the primary ingredient in glass, which is used in consumer electronic products such as fridges, microwaves and computers.

Despite great efforts to extract, transport, refine and process sand into complex electronic components, little is done to recycle these components when electronic goods reach the end of their lives. They simply land in the dump. Glass has material properties excellent for recycling, but EU directives on effectively processing glass from electronic waste (E-waste) do not currently exist. Sand is a finite resource, and as the volume of E-waste is increasing rapidly worldwide, we need strategies and solutions.

Based on a volume of existing material research by Studio Plastique, Common Sands – Forite evolved as a collaborative research project between Studio Plastique and Snøhetta, with the aim of exploring the potential applications of recycled E-waste glass. Through several prototypes and variations, a process for recycling E-waste glass components was developed, leading to the development of an application integrating and celebrating its variable material quality: glass tiles.

Italian ceramic tile manufacturer Fornace Brioni later joined the team, bringing their experience, industrial know-how, production facilities and potential for scalability to the project.

Made from recycled glass from microwave ovens, the tiles have been developed in two different sizes. The tiles are both opaque and transparent, each with a unique pattern and expression. With a deeply complex, terrazzo-like material quality, they are suitable for a wide range of architectural applications, including both surface coverage and as semi-transparent partition elements.

Common Sands – Forite positively leverages the unique properties of composition, color and structure inherent in the waste material into a series of architectural glass tiles. In an industry which demands transparency and consistency as a standard, the tiles embrace the variance and complexity already embedded in the recycled material. Focus has been put on waste glass from ovens and microwaves as a starting point to demonstrate the aesthetic depth, function and potential of the recycled material, but the project is not limited to this material stream alone.

This collaboration between Snøhetta, Studio Plastique and Fornace Brioni meets contemporary challenges with ambitious, pragmatic and scalable solutions. Working across disciplines, organizations and specializations, the project is an example of how collaboration and curiosity can contribute to creating significant changes within circular and sustainable design.

Read in English

Product Spotlight Insulating glass
Products Behind Projects
News
Archello houses of the month - January 2025
6 feb 2025 Notizie
Le case Archello del mese - Gennaio 2025

Archello ha selezionato le sue case del mese per gennaio 2025. L'elenco presenta 20 tra le più... Altro

Polish Embassy in Berlin by JEMS Architekci is a “testament to architectural diplomacy”
6 feb 2025 Notizie
L'ambasciata polacca a Berlino di JEMS Architekci è una "testimonianza di diplomazia architettonica".

Un progetto che ha richiesto tredici anni di lavoro, la nuova ambasciata polacca a Berlino ha aperto... Altro

Ika.architekti builds fun and functional DIY sauna in Brno
3 feb 2025 Notizie
Ika.architekti costruisce una sauna fai da te divertente e funzionale a Brno

Lo studio ika.architekti di Brno ha costruito una sauna riciclata utilizzando una serie di vecchi ma... Altro

HGAA expands restaurant in Bãi Cháy with a building that embraces nature
29 gen 2025 Notizie
HGAA amplia il ristorante di Bãi Cháy con un edificio che abbraccia la natura

Lo studio di architettura vietnamita HGAA è stato inserito da Archello nella lista dei 25 mig... Altro

Mole Architects elevates “mundane” 1960s English bungalow with new extension
29 gen 2025 Notizie
Mole Architects eleva il "banale" bungalow inglese del 1960 con un nuovo ampliamento

Lo studio di architettura Mole Architects, con sede a Cambridge, ha completato l'ammodernamento e l'... Altro

New Samuel Paty School in Béziers plays with materiality
22 gen 2025 Notizie
La nuova scuola Samuel Paty di Béziers gioca con la materialità

Lo studio parigino O-S architectes (Vincent Baur, Guillaume Colboc e Gaël Le Nouëne) ha pr... Altro

Domino Square in Brooklyn plays key part in redevelopment of former historic sugar refinery
21 gen 2025 Notizie
Domino Square a Brooklyn gioca un ruolo chiave nella riqualificazione dell'ex storico zuccherificio

Studio Cadena, uno studio di design e architettura con sede a Brooklyn, ha recentemente completato D... Altro