Collaborations
Many hands make light work and never is that truer than in creative projects. Using a toolkit developed over years, January Mae delivers impact, quickly and thoughtfully.
Pond Chairs - edition 01
How do you take locally sourced plastic and turn it into functional and beautiful furniture that the local community can be proud of?
This was the question posed by Govanhill Baths Community Trust, as part of a reuse and repurposing programme that covers wood, metal, textiles and now plastics.
“Waste is simply a resource in the wrong place”
The brief for the chairs was complex. On the one hand, they needed to be functional: comfortable, stackable, easy to clean. On the other, they had to have aesthetic appeal: showcase the pattern of the plastic, unique with every sheet; and reflect the diversity of Scotland’s most diverse postcodes.
The visual direction started with reclaimed school chairs, making them light so they wouldn’t crowd the cafe space where they will ultimately live. The burgundy powder-coating added sophistication that moves us firmly out of the schoolroom. To avoid overwhelm, we kept the plastic colour palette monochrome and decided to play with placement so the two chairs are in conversation without being identical.
The result: a colourful, contemporary set of chairs that removes plastic waste from the local community.
“Working with Naomi has been a truly inspiring collaboration. Despite our limited budget and resources, she listened closely to our needs and vision, and designed stunning, 100% recycled steel and metal chairs for our new Govanhill Baths Café. Her creative approach and deep respect for community spaces resulted in furniture that is not only beautiful, but meaningful — reflecting our commitment to sustainability and care. These chairs will be used and loved by generations of local people, and we are proud to have partnered with such a thoughtful and talented designer.”
— Fatima Uygun,CEOGovanhill Baths Community Trust