Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata by Egemen Kemal Vurusan

Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata by Egemen Kemal Vurusan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Uʻamea in Faatufugaga Maualuga Competition Category.

UʻameaFaatufugaga Maualuga· 2025

Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata

by Egemen Kemal Vurusan

Client: Egemen Kemal Vurusan

A' Design Award Uʻamea Winner in Faatufugaga Maualuga Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170341

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata

O Original by Nature o se fa'atagata fa'aata lea e liua ai fagu tioata ua lafoa'i i fo'i mataina o fa'atagata e tafe solo. O fagu ia ua toe fuafua i le vevela ma faasologa e ala i metotia fa'aleleia agai i luga (upcycling) sili ona fa'aonaponei. O fo'i tioata ta'itasi e iai se faiga fa'ato'aga hydroponic, ma o laau e ola ai i totonu o le fa'atagata. O se faiga fa'asusu e pulea e sensor e tu'uina atu vai i vaega ta'itasi, a'o moli violē ultraviolet o iai i tua e fesoasoani i le tuputupu a'e o laau. O le vaega tele autu e 5000mm le lautele, 2000mm le loloto ma 3500mm le maualuga. O lenei galuega e tu'ufa'atasia ai fa'atagata, natura ma tekonolosi ina ia va'aia manino le fa'aauau malosi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Uʻamea

O le A' Design Award Uʻamea na manumalo ai Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata, o se faamaoniga mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu lelei e faataunuu ai manaʻoga faapolofesa ma pisinisi e faamoemoeina mai galuega ua mamanuina lelei. O ē manumalo i le Uʻamea e faaalia ai le tomai tele, le faapitoa maualuga, le malamalama o tagata poto ma le mafai fatufatuaʻi o ē na faia. E faamoemoeina Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata e avea ma mea ua matuā vivii, mataʻina ma pelepelea e aogā ma fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Uʻamea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili o le pisinisi ma e iai uiga faatekonolosi mafai ua fesoʻotaʻi ma le poto ma le taleni. Ona o lona faatuatuaina, e tatau ai Original by Nature Galuega Fa'aata ona faaaloalogia ma ua mamanuina e tuuina mai ai faaleleiga o le olaga e fesoasoani e faia ai e le lalolagi se nofoaga e sili atu ona lelei.

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