{"id":14615,"date":"2025-09-22T19:29:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T12:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/reconstructing-value-turns-banknotes-into-benches\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T19:29:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T12:29:33","slug":"reconstructing-value-turns-banknotes-into-benches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cstc.vn\/blogtsk\/reconstructing-value-turns-banknotes-into-benches\/","title":{"rendered":"Reconstructing Value turns banknotes into benches"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever dreamed about sitting on a fortune, literally, you\u2019ll get a chance to do so at London Design Festival with the Bank of England Museum\u2019s newest pop\u2011up, \u201cReconstructing Value\u201d. A collaboration between designer Saskia\u202fBoersma, the Surface\u202fMatter collective and the material studio Plasticiet transforms \u00a32.5\u202fmillion worth of withdrawn British banknotes into a series of sculptural benches that echo the pound sign (\u00a3) while questioning what we consider valuable\u202f.<\/p>\n

The process begins with the systematic removal of old notes from circulation. Once shredded, the paper fibers are reconstituted using a proprietary plasticiser that binds the material without compromising its texture. The resulting sheets retain the iconic hues and subtle security patterns of the original currency, allowing the benches to retain a recognisable, yet abstract, financial language. Surface\u202fMatter then curates complementary surface palettes like roman mosaic tiles, Portland stone and patinated brass, mirroring the historic interiors of the Bank while reinforcing the dialogue between past and present\u202f.<\/p>\n

Designer Names: Saskia Boersma<\/a>, Surface Matter<\/a>, Plasticiet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Saskia\u202fBoersma\u2019s design language, known for its playful reinterpretations of everyday objects, frames the benches as both functional furniture and public art. Each piece is cast into a curved form that, when viewed from above, outlines the \u00a3 symbol, turning the act of sitting into a visual reminder of monetary flow. The benches occupy the museum\u2019s historic Stock Room, a space once reserved for vaults and ledgers, thereby redefining the room\u2019s purpose from storage to social interaction. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Beyond aesthetics, the project tackles the environmental impact of paper waste. By diverting millions of pounds of banknote paper from landfill, the installation demonstrates a circular economy model where discarded money gains a second life as design material. Plasticiet\u2019s plasticiser, a low\u2011impact polymer, ensures durability while maintaining a tactile softness that encourages lingering. The initiative aligns with the London Design Festival\u2019s broader emphasis on sustainable innovation, positioning the Bank of England Museum as a laboratory for post\u2011waste design solutions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Visitors experience the benches as part of a larger narrative that includes lunchtime talks and curated material displays. Surface\u202fMatter\u2019s series of recycled surface palettes runs alongside the furniture, offering designers and the public a tangible library of sustainable textures inspired by the bank\u2019s historic colour schemes. These talks explore how value can be re\u2011imagined through material choice, encouraging participants to consider how everyday objects might be repurposed in their own practice.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

In a city where historic institutions often cling to tradition, this project demonstrates how heritage can be a springboard for forward\u2011thinking design. By converting decommissioned currency into public seating, Boersma, Surface\u202fMatter and Plasticiet not only give discarded paper a new purpose but also provoke a broader conversation about the economics of sustainability. The benches stand as a reminder that value is not fixed. It can be shredded, reshaped, and re\u2011valued through creative intervention.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The post Reconstructing Value turns banknotes into benches<\/a> first appeared on Yanko Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever dreamed about sitting on a fortune, literally, you\u2019ll get a chance to do so at London Design Festival with the Bank of England Museum\u2019s newest pop\u2011up, \u201cReconstructing Value\u201d. 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