Features / Feature
Reuse and recycle
A new community business in Knowle West has found a novel way to recycle old office furniture while providing skills training for local residents at the same time. KWMC The Factory – formerly Eagle House Pop-Up Furniture Factory after the youth centre where it started life – takes old office furniture and uses local labour to revive it for modern workspaces.
“We looked at how to recommission old office furniture to save it from landfill, and repurpose it to make it attractive to modern users,” says Justin Ricks who is heading up the programme at Knowle West Media Centre. “For example, how to make massive tables designed for huge computers useful today; often they’re made of lovely materials. You’d be surprised how many warehouses around Bristol are full of stored office furniture.”
In the first of what Justin hopes will be many large-scale contracts, the company recently completed a fit-out contract of 500 pieces of furniture for MIDAS construction and Filwood Green Business Park, operated by Bristol City Council, worth in excess of £100,000. “It showed a lot of faith in local procurement,” says Justin. “They could have gone commercial but realised they could have a better social impact by choosing us. The contractor gave us a huge profile opportunity.”
Repurposed furniture in the reception area and conference room at Filwood Green Business Park
Now other contracts are in the pipeline with new customers including Upfest and potential clients at Engine Shed alongside a handful of domestic clients. “It tends to be CSR-aware companies,” Justin continues. “Our market is bespoke, commissioned furniture that is sustainable, adaptable and highly desirable.”
Each project brings together designers, artists and digital specialists who work with and train local people in design execution. Some are employed while others volunteer in exchange for new skills and work experience. “Many of our workers are from unemployed backgrounds or may have previously had very little experience, but they can come in at any level,” says Justin, emphasising the role this conceptual project had in regenerating the Knowle West area. To date, more than 40 people have been trained in new skills.
“We’re trying to develop a community approach to merging traditional skills with modern skills. We’re trying to develop training and local skills in digital manufacturing and office furniture making. This is a social enterprise around trying to be sustainable in the future.”
Photo credit – Max McClure Photography