Mercedes Elena Plazola Diaz
Venezuelan material researcher, product and furniture designer.
Based in London.
Projects
Material Archive
About
Contact
Open Manifesto
MADRE PATRIA - 2023
Shortlisted for the Young Furniture Design Makers Textile Award, this project explores the re-application of textile waste produced in East London’s coffee roasteries. Thousands of jute bags are thrown out of coffee houses on a daily basis. This misuse of textile ends up contributing to 200,000 tonnes of landfill waste.
Design was used to challenge the UK’s textile waste industry through the consideration of socially responsible practices that push for the repurposing of textile by-products. Ultimately encouraging the creation of more sustainable materials using traditional ways of making.
Madre Patria photographed by Bella Jordan Armstrong.
The project focused on challenging this waste production by investigating the transformation of the coffee bean bags into a textile that could be used for commercial furniture design. Looking for opportunities to extend the life of the jute sack and re-write its narrative. The use of weaving allowed the material to find a new voice that spoke through an ancient Latin American craft.
Photography by Bella Jordan Armstrong.
Back NextHome