25 April 2024 at the Main Building of the Warsaw University of Technology will see the Grand Finale of Poland’s first upcycling fashion competition, Designers Play Sustain.
During the event, designer Marek Lorens will present an original object made from a unique composite created from waste and textiles, using LED LUMINES Lighting technology as a modern, efficient, low-emission light source. The technology was supplied by LED Labs S.A. – the Polish leader in linear LED lighting systems.
With the help of design and contemporary thinking about urban space, the author set out to create a product that uses light not only to illuminate spaces and buildings, but also to visualise air quality through colour.
Upcycling – creative approach to sustainable design
Upcycling is the process of transforming used or unnecessary materials into products of higher value or quality than the originals. Unlike recycling, which involves processing materials into similar products (e.g., turning glass bottles into new glass bottles), upcycling often turns waste into items of greater aesthetic, functional, or environmental value. For example, glass bottles can be upcycled into designer lamps or art glass.
Upcycling promotes sustainable development by reducing waste and using existing resources in a more creative and efficient way. An example of an upcycling initiative is the original project by Marek Lorens, created together with LUMINES Lighting technology from LED Labs.
Marek Lorens on the project
„The idea was to create a product made from Vive Texcellence composite, composed of damaged clothes (60%) and single-use bags. The material has been produced for 8 years. It is waterproof, very durable, and suitable for reuse. We have successfully applied it for several years in construction – for example, to reinforce slopes, terraces, and façades – so that it can fulfil its function as a lighting fixture even in such aggressive environments. We have achieved even more – the composite is a very strong material, the textiles form a kind of reinforcement, and the whole can be 100% repeatedly recycled, thus closing the cycle of one of the most difficult types of waste to dispose of: clothing.
The REC luminaire can be equipped with an air-quality sensor, and its status can be visualised by an appropriate light colour. By combining design innovation with modern, low-emission LED lighting technology, a very interesting product has been created – one that addresses the challenges of the contemporary world. We will share more information about it soon.”
About the designer
Marek Lorens – architect, entrepreneur, building and interior designer, and owner of a design studio. He gained experience by delivering projects at leading studios in Warsaw, Vienna, and Bavaria, including for OP Architekten and Broadway Malyan.
Since 2007 he has co-managed the Lorens AiD studio, and in 2017 he founded Office Tailors – a practice specialising in workplace design. He manages a team of designers and oversees contracts and administrative processes. He specialises in architecture as well as interior design and implementation.
He is the winner of the Grand Prix in the competition for Warsaw’s new city centre, runner-up in the competition for the Chopin Museum in Warsaw, and a recipient of awards for the best building in eastern Poland, as well as the title “One of the 7 Wonders of Poland” by National Geographic for the Interactive Museum of the Teutonic State in Działdowo.
His portfolio includes the residence of the Polish Ambassador in Berlin and the design of the first Hermès Paris boutique in Poland. He co-creates an original brand of office furniture showcased in Milan, Frankfurt, Kortrijk, and other international fairs. He has also worked on lighting collections for companies such as Foscarini and Artemide.
About LED Labs
LED Labs. – a Polish manufacturer and leader in linear LED lighting systems, as well as the creator of the world’s only 3D tool for creating customised linear lighting systems – K3D Lumines Lighting.
LED Labs stands for passion and determination in changing the way LED lighting is perceived. Our technology and the solutions we deliver create a unique user experience and have a positive impact on the world and the environment in which we operate.
Discover the possibilities of LED technology through our brand portfolio: LED Labs Lighting, Lumines Lighting, and Cobalt Electro. It’s EASY to be CREATIVE!
