Skip to content
Original by Nature Instalación Artística by Egemen Kemal Vurusan

Original by Nature Instalación Artística by Egemen Kemal Vurusan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Ferro in Deseño de Belas Artes e Instalacións Artísticas Competition Category.


FerroBelas Artes· 2025

Original by Nature Instalación Artística

by Egemen Kemal Vurusan

Client: Egemen Kemal Vurusan

A' Design Award de Ferro Winner in Belas Artes Category

17,078

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170341

Colors

The Design

About Original by Nature Instalación Artística

Original by Nature é unha instalación artística que transforma botellas de vidro descartadas en formas escultóricas fluídas. As botellas son remodeladas mediante calor e moldes a través de métodos avanzados de reciclaxe creativa. Cada forma de vidro alberga un sistema hidropónico, de xeito que as plantas medran dentro da instalación. Un sistema de rega controlado por sensores fornece auga a cada módulo, e luces ultravioleta violetas na parte posterior favorecen o crecemento das plantas. A unidade modular principal mide 5000 mm de ancho, 2000 mm de profundidade e 3500 mm de altura. A obra une arte, natureza e tecnoloxía para facer visible a sustentabilidade.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ferro

Original by Nature Instalación Artística gañou o A' Design Award de Ferro, un recoñecemento prestixioso outorgado a bos deseños que cumpren os requisitos profesionais e industriais esperados de creacións ben deseñadas. Os gañadores Ferro demostran a gran habilidade, a alta especialización, a comprensión experta e a capacidade creativa dos seus creadores. Espérase que Original by Nature Instalación Artística sexa unha creación moi apreciada, admirada e querida que é práctica e innovadora. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Ferro integra as mellores prácticas do sector e ten características técnicas competentes ligadas ao saber facer e ao talento. Original by Nature Instalación Artística é respectado pola súa minuciosidade e está deseñado para proporcionar melloras na calidade de vida que axudan a facer do mundo un lugar mellor.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
This design redefines the potential of glass by transforming discarded bottles into fluid, amorphous forms through advanced upcycling techniques. Inspired by the continuous movement of water, the installation merges sustainability with artistic expression, turning glass into both a functional and aesthetic element. Presented in the exhibition, this project highlights the cyclical nature of transformation, where waste glass is reborn as a medium for urban agriculture and digital art.
Dimensions & Packaging
Physical Installation Details:
Main Modular Unit: 5000 mm (W) x 2000 mm (D) x 3500mm (H)
The glass components are upcycled via high-temperature annealing (approx. 850°C) to achieve amorphous forms. The integrated hydroponic system features sensor-controlled irrigation delivering 0.5 L/min per module. Additionally, purple UV lights positioned at the back of the installation enhance photosynthesis, supporting optimal plant growth.
Tags
urban agriculture, glass upcycling, hydroponics, sustainable design, digital art integration, interactive installation, eco-friendly innovation, cyclic transformation
Production Technology
This project utilizes advanced glass blowing upcycling techniques, including thermal deformation and mold-based reshaping, to transform discarded bottles into amorphous sculptural forms. The integration of hydroponic systems within these glass structures enables sustainable urban agriculture. Digital art, design principles, and plant growing were employed to achieve seamless structural integrity, ensuring both aesthetic fluidity and functional resilience.
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge was transforming discarded glass into organic, fluid forms without compromising structural integrity. Balancing artistic expression with hydroponic functionality required extensive material experimentation. Limited access to specialized recycling technologies and shaping techniques added complexity. Socially, raising awareness of glass upcycling’s potential was crucial. Overcoming these obstacles led to an innovative fusion of sustainability, art, and urban agriculture.
Research
This research explores sustainable design through glass upcycling and urban agriculture. The objective was to repurpose discarded glass into functional, aesthetic forms supporting hydroponic growth. Using experimental prototyping, material analysis, and user interaction studies, data was collected through iterative testing and observational feedback. The findings highlight glass’s adaptability, demonstrating its potential in eco-conscious design. This research contributes to sustainable production methods, influencing both environmental awareness and future urban agriculture initiatives.
Inspiration
This project, centered on an urban agriculture system driven by the advanced upcycling of used bottles, represents the completion of a life cycle. Discarded bottles are repurposed into artistic, amorphous forms, while simultaneously serving as vessels for hydroponic plant cultivation. Inspired by the purity and continuity of natural spring waters, the Original By Nature project is, at its core, a sustainability initiative, aiming to harmonize art, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
Project Duration
This project took place from March 1-22, 2022 at Akaretler Sıraevler in Besiktas, Istanbul
Operation Flow
This installation transforms discarded glass bottles into fluid, sculptural forms that serve as vessels for hydroponic plant growth. Visitors engage with the piece by observing how water and plants interact within the glass structures, highlighting the beauty of sustainable transformation. The seamless fusion of art, nature, and technology creates an immersive experience, making sustainability tangible while demonstrating the potential of upcycled materials in urban agriculture.
Image Credits
Main image 1: Photographer, Numan Alkan, Celal Burak Özgül, 2022
Optional image 1: Photographer, Numan Alkan, Celal Burak Özgül, 2022
Optional image 2: Photographer, Numan Alkan, Celal Burak Özgül, 2022
Optional image 3: Photographer, Numan Alkan, Celal Burak Özgül, 2022
Optional image 4: Photographer, Numan Alkan, Celal Burak Özgül, 2022

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate