Original by Nature Munus Instrumenti Artis by Egemen Kemal Vurusan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum in Ars Pulchra Competition Category.
FerrumArs Pulchra· 2025
Original by Nature Munus Instrumenti Artis
Client: Egemen Kemal Vurusan
Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum Winner in Ars Pulchra Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #170341The Design
About Original by Nature Munus Instrumenti Artis
Originale a Natura est instrumentum artis quod lagunculas vitreas abiectas in formas sculptas fluentes convertit. Lagunculae calore et formis per artes recycland provectiores reformantur. Quaeque forma vitrea systema hydroponicum continet, ita ut plantae intra instrumentum crescant. Irrigatio sensoribus moderata aquam ad omne modulum praebet, et lumina ultraviolacea violacea a tergo crescentiam plantarum sustinent. Unitas modularis principalis 5000 mm latitudine, 2000 mm altitudine posteriore et 3500 mm altitudine metitur. Opus artem, naturam et technologiam coniungit ut sustinentiam visibilem faciat.
The Recognition
About the Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum
Original by Nature Munus Instrumenti Artis victor est Praemii A' Design Award Ferreum, honoris amplissimi formis bonis dati, quae postulatis professionalibus et industrialibus ab creationibus bene formatis exspectatis satisfaciunt. Victores Ferrei magnam peritiam, altam specializationem, intellectum periti et facultatem creandi auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Original by Nature Munus Instrumenti Artis creationem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, practicam et novam fore. Haec forma Ferreo victa optimas industriae consuetudines integrat et proprietates technicas idoneas, cum scientia et talento coniunctas, habet. Original by Nature Munus Instrumenti Artis ob diligentiam suam honoratur et ad vitae qualitatem emendandam formatum est, ut mundum meliorem reddere iuvet.
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
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