Original by Nature Whakaahua Toi by Egemen Kemal Vurusan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Rino in Hoahoa Toi me te Whakaaturanga Toi Competition Category.
RinoToi· 2025
Original by Nature Whakaahua Toi
Client: Egemen Kemal Vurusan
A' Design Award Rino Winner in Toi Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #170341The Design
About Original by Nature Whakaahua Toi
Ko Original by Nature he whakaahua toi e huri ana i ngā pounamu karaihe kua akiritia ki ngā hanga whakairo rere. Ka hangaia anōtia ngā pounamu mā te wera me ngā putu mā ngā tikanga hangarau hou o te hanga-anō. Kei roto i ia hanga karaihe he pūnaha hauropi-wai, nā reira ka tipu ngā tipu i roto i te whakaahua. Ka whakawhiwhia he wai ki ia wāhanga mā te pūnaha whakamahere-pūkaea, ā, ko ngā rama ultraviolet waiporoporo kei muri e tautoko ana i te tipu o ngā tipu. Ko te wāhanga matua o te hanga e 5000 mm te whānui, 2000 mm te hōhonu, 3500 mm te teitei hoki. Ka whakakotahi tēnei mahi i te toi, te taiao me te hangarau kia kitea ai te toitūtanga.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award Rino
Ko Original by Nature Whakaahua Toi te toa o te A' Design Award Rino, he whakaaetanga whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa pai e whakatutuki ana i ngā hiahia ngaio me te ahumahi e tūmanakohia ana mai i ngā mahi kua hoahoatia pai. Ko ngā toa Rino e whakaatu ana i te pukenga nui, te tohungatanga teitei, te māramatanga mātanga me te kaha auaha o ō rātou kaihanga. E tūmanakohia ana ko Original by Nature Whakaahua Toi he mahi whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he whaihua, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Rino e whakakotahi ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa o te ahumahi, ā, he āhuatanga hangarau pūkenga tōna e hono ana ki te mōhio me te pūmanawa. E whakahonoretia ana a Original by Nature Whakaahua Toi mō tōna tōtika, ā, i hoahoatia hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te oranga me te āwhina i te ao kia pai ake.
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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