Mater, the Danish green-tech design brand, has launched its first lighting collection crafted from its patented waste material, Matek, which combines recycled post-consumer e-waste from damaged or unwanted electronic devices from the UK and Germany with coffee shell waste from BKI Foods, a Danish-based company. Each lamp contains up to 303g of waste materials.
Inspired by the earth and nature, the Terra collection, designed by Copenhagen-based interdisciplinary design studio OEO Studio for Mater, comprises a pendant lamp, wall lamp and portable lamp.
The wall lamp offers a standard cord outlet or a hardwired version for a floating, cord-free appearance on the wall. Both the pendant and the portable lamp offer adjustable lighting solutions. The dimmable portable lamp features three brightness levels and can provide up to ten hours of full-strength illumination on full charge, offering ample opportunity to bring light into spaces as you move around.
Mater’s Terra series is offered in two colourways: Coffee Waste Black and Coffee Waste Red.
The Matek blend enabled OEO Studio to incorporate elements into the mould that would typically require additional materials and components, which can complicate the process and raise costs. The result is a lampshade that integrates the light source, screws, and other components ‘in a minimal and delicate manner’.
‘The design draws inspiration from the possibilities offered by Matek. It is minimalist, precise, and timeless. The simple conical form is harmoniously balanced, contrasting beautifully with the tactile quality of Matek. This imparts a fresh and intriguing expression to the series, setting it apart from what is typically seen in the lighting market,’ said Thomas Lykke, head of design and founding partner of OEO Studio.
OEO Studio has chosen the Terra collection as one of the primary lighting elements for its latest interiors project -SticksnSushi Battersea Power Station. Positioned both individually, hanging over tables, and in larger clusters, the integrated light source along with the diffusion plate beneath provides lighting for guests.
Mater first developed and applied Matek to its furniture design in 2020. The material combines waste fibres, such as sawdust or coffee shell residues, with a binder made from recycled plastics like electronic waste or bioplastic. The outcome is a composite that is suitable for compression moulding.
To date, Mater has primarily used Matek for chair seats and tabletop surfaces. It said that advancing the technology to create smaller items necessitated significant innovation and dedication.
‘We strive to innovate continuously and provide alternatives to traditional design solutions, particularly regarding material choices,’ said Mater’s CEO, Ketil Årdal. ‘With the Terra collection, we’ve once more pushed the boundaries of what our unique recycled material Matek can accomplish. Cracking the code to produce numerous small Matek components unlocks entirely new possibilities for the material’s applications.’
Prices start from £180 including VAT for Mater’s Terra Collection.
