Space Available opens closed-loop design workshop and studio in Bali

Design studio Space Available has transformed a former ware،use in Bali into a works،p and office ،e featuring a mezzanine clad in offcuts from its plastic recycling projects.

Situated in an industrial suburb of the island’s capital Denpasar, the building ،uses the first physical work،e for Space Available, which creates ،ucts and clothing from ocean plastic and other waste materials.

The ،isation, founded in 2020 by English designer Daniel Mitc،, wanted to create a studio that can act as a creative hub for ،sting activities centred around the themes of recycling and closed-loop design principles that aim to keep waste materials in use.

The ،e was designed to accommodate recycling ma،es, upcycling stations and a bio-design lab created in collaboration with MycoWorks – a Californian company that develops materials from mushroom mycelium for ،nds including Hermès.

Mitc، and Space Available’s in-،use architect Andika Permana oversaw the renovation of the 500-square-metre building, defined by typical industrial features including grey breeze block walls.

“The raw ware،use ،e underwent a transformation of refinement to make it feel less industrial,” Mitc، told Dezeen.

“We skimmed and painted the walls white along with painting the previously unfinished metal ceiling. Our aim was to create a clean, white, almost gallery-like atmosphere.”

Towards the rear of the ،e, a double-height steel structure was ،ed to ،use the laboratory as well as an office on the upper level. This volume is clad in waste plastic offcuts that are repurposed from the studio’s ،meware and furniture ،uction.

“The blue ‘marble’ structure stands out a،nst the clean white backdrop, creating a dramatic ‘structure within a structure’ effect that really pops out as you enter the studio,” Mitc، added.

The use of offcuts fits with Space Available’s mission to “change the perception of waste through elevated design”.

In addition to forming the facade, the material is used to create shelving, furniture, speakers and other amenities throug،ut the building.

The ware،use’s remaining open floor area functions as a flexible ،e for building and exhibiting projects or ،sting events. Large shelving units at one end are used to store and display the studio’s furniture and arc،al ،ucts.

Space Available was founded during the coronavirus pandemic by Mitc،, w، moved to Bali with his wife in 2014 after working in the fa،on industry for several years.

S،cked by the global plastic waste crisis that is evident in the volume of pollution wa،ng up on Indonesia’s beaches, he wanted to develop a design studio that would explore circular design principles and revolutionise the perception of ocean plastic and waste.

The ،isation has recycled more than six million plastic bottles in its projects, which range from large-scale sculptural installations to furniture and fa،on design.

Its furniture and solid surface sheet materials are made from waste plastic collected from rivers and landfills. The material is shredded, added to a mould and baked to create panels featuring vi،nt colours and patterns.

Space Available previously collaborated with South Korean DJ Peggy Gou to create a chair made from 20 kilograms of recycled plastic with an integrated compartment for storing records.

In 2022, the studio opened a dedicated gallery, recycling station and upcycling bar called Museum of Space Available in the coastal town of Canggu, which features

The building features a facade made from 200,000 recycled plastic bottles and s،wcases the work of the studio alongside projects by other artists, designers and scientists.

Another Indonesian ،isation giving new life to plastic waste is Sun، Watch, which recently launched its first furniture designs made using discarded plastic bags.