Munich shows the way: Students create furniture from old skis!

Munich shows the way: Students create furniture from old skis!

Something is happening in the area of ​​creative upcycling in Cologne! A young designer, Can Çiçek, has set up his own business with a refreshing concept: he transforms old skis into stylish pieces of furniture. Not only is this a real eye-catcher, but it also symbolizes the growing trend of upcycling, where waste materials are converted into higher quality products. The city of Munich has even opened a pop-up store called Halle 2 on Hohenzollernstraße, where these unique pieces are presented. The goods come from nine different recycling centers, which perfectly embodies the idea of ​​the circular economy. As Abendzeitung München reports, the inventory was designed by Çiçek himself.

If you look a little closer, you'll notice that Çiçek has a real feel for material. “Skis are high-tech materials that are elastic, break-resistant and light,” explains the designer. In his workshop in Pasing he works with a variety of found objects and leftover pieces, resulting in great furniture such as a wardrobe made of cross-country skis, sorted by color and length. Old long-playing records can also be found in his furniture, which makes the creation special.

Sustainability is trending

Upcycling is more than just a trend, it is a statement for sustainability. The process of upgrading old materials instead of simply disposing of them is becoming increasingly popular. Wikipedia describes upcycling as a way to reduce waste by reusing existing materials. This has a positive impact on our resource consumption and can even help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Çiçek himself originally comes from architecture and has a bachelor's degree from the Munich University of Applied Sciences. He is currently studying for a master's degree and also works as a working student in a Munich architectural office. With his commitment to recycling materials, he also promotes the idea of ​​circular economy, which aims to extend the life cycle of products.

The future of upcycling

In this context, one can also observe the constantly growing number of initiatives that promote upcycling, especially among younger people. The Etsy and Pinterest platforms show that the demand for “upcycled” products has risen rapidly. From 2010 to 2013, this category saw an increase from 7,900 items to over 263,000. This clearly shows that awareness of sustainability has also reached the minds of consumers.

The future of upcycling promises to remain exciting. It's not only a creative way to reduce waste, but also a chance for designers like Çiçek to bring their ideas to life. Who knows, perhaps we will soon see even more innovative approaches in Cologne and beyond. Stay tuned, because there is still a lot to discover, especially when it comes to sustainable living and creative projects. In an environment that places increasing emphasis on environmental awareness, designers like Can Çiçek are on their way to setting trends that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly.