WAYST by Alkaline Reimagines Rubble

South African design studio Alkaline unveils ‘WAYST’, a collection of functional objects that explore memory and reclaimed materials.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

WAYST is an experimental collection that demonstrates the design potential of overlooked resources. The pieces, which include a pendant lamp and a side table, are made from discarded rubble collected by Alkaline’s founder, Chelsea Makin, and her husband, Andrew. “Demolition sites are often where materials go to die,” says Andrew. “But what if they became supply chains for design?”

Each object in WAYST begins with what is typically discarded: rubble from demolition sites, fragments from renovations, or offcuts from industrial processes. Rather than sending these remnants to landfill, Chelsea and Andrew reframe them as raw potential. Through casting, shaping, and collaboration, they transform these fragments into objects that carry forward the stories of their origins.

Pendant Light

Cast from reclaimed, crushed brick, the contemporary pendant light features a textured surface that highlights its material origins.

Limited-Edition Side Table

A collaboration with Cape Town–based studio The Minimalist, the limited-edition side table pairs terrazzo slabs – cast by Alkaline from salvaged brick waste – with a raw stainless-steel base fabricated by The Minimalist.

WAYST challenges traditional notions of luxury by elevating reclaimed materials into objects that are bold, tactile, and quietly expressive. As an ongoing project, Chelsea and Andrew aim to expand the collection through new collaborations and materials that preserve personal and architectural histories – crafting sustainable keepsakes that celebrate the beauty of what might otherwise be lost. alkaline-shop.com | info@alkaline-shop.com

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