Raised in the Middle East, French designer Cara Campos has transformed worn-out bicycles into minimalist furniture for the home. Her collection, Objects From Frames, includes a chair, a table, and a lamp, each crafted from abandoned bicycles she repeatedly discovered around the city.
The project began as a university experiment, sparked by Campos’s idea to repurpose one of humanity’s most significant inventions after it had been abandoned. After graduating, she continued working with reclaimed materials rather than new raw materials, giving objects that have reached the end of their original function a second lease of life.
The collection is produced by cutting, repositioning, and then stabilizing the existing frames with as little new material as possible. Original dents, chipped paint, and irregular finishes are deliberately preserved, allowing each piece to carry the story of its past. The designer does not see her work as upcycling, but rather as homage to the bicycle.
Also Read: Designing Furniture That Quickly Assembles Into a Rideable Bike
Even in their new domestic form, the furniture pieces retain their original weight and material density of the bicycles. Each piece is shaped with the geometry from which it originated, with the joints, frames, and stress points kept intact to reveal the original structure. The collection is thus minimalist and sleek in both design and looks.
By exploring the potential of materials, Campos embraces sustainability and adaptability. Objects From Frames celebrates imperfections, proudly displaying the signs of wear and tear that come with early life. Through this approach, the designer honors the cultural history embedded in everyday objects, giving humble materials new purpose with a subtle twist.
Via: designboom
