Blending Sustainability and Creativity
Architect Adrienne Lau has redefined sustainable design with her Acute and Obtuse outdoor furniture collection. Crafted entirely from salvaged materials, the series serves as seating for Abbey Gardens, an open-access park and harvest garden in East London.
Inspired by Salvaged History
The materials for the project were sourced from deteriorating wooden planters and Douglas fir beams from a demolished Victorian army barrack. Lau, alongside designer Rosie Strickland, repurposed these materials, allowing their form and imperfections to guide the furniture’s design.
Key design features include:
- Angular Configurations: Steel brackets, with angles like 150° for loungers and 110° for chairs, dictated the seating structures.
- Rustic Character: Notches and nail holes in the wood remain exposed, celebrating the materials’ past lives.
A Celebration of Wabi-Sabi
The project reflects the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which embraces imperfections as part of an object’s beauty. Lau emphasizes that these flaws inspire care and value for reused materials.
Community Impact
Initially showcased at the 2023 London Festival of Architecture as part of the “Let’s Meet On The Edge” project, the furniture encouraged engagement with urban green spaces. It won the Community Prize at the New London Awards 2024.
Post-festival, the pieces were relocated to Abbey Gardens, offering flexible seating for community events and customers at the on-site Spring Café.
About Adrienne Lau
Lau’s architectural practice, alongside her work with Edgy Collective, focuses on urban revitalization and ecological solutions. Her designs balance social and environmental concerns with creative innovation.
The Acute and Obtuse collection stands as a testament to sustainable design, proving that reclaimed materials can result in functional, meaningful, and visually compelling furniture. By celebrating the imperfections of reused materials, Adrienne Lau sets a new benchmark for eco-conscious creativity.