We've invented and developed a way to make skateboard decks out of 100% recycled plastic and we’re releasing it open source.
Every year we produce over 350 million tons of new plastic.
Since its invention, over 9 billion tons of new plastic has been produced.
More than 90% is recyclable...
...but less than 10% actually gets recycled.
This means that there is over 6 billion tons of plastic waste in the world right now, ready to be collected and recycled.
So even if we completely stopped producing plastic right now there is still a little bit we need to tidy up.
An open-source Sheetpress designed to produce sheets of recyled plastic made with the Precious Plastic community as part of Version 4 of the project “The Precious Plastic Universe.”
In late 2018 Aleksi moved back to Helsinki and started a Mandin spin-off bio-design studio called Caracara Collective. Still working closely with the Mandin crew, Caracara creates art and design installations using biowaste generated by society. They promote a new wave of sustainable Nordic design, envisioning a future without harmful materials, where waste is a resource.
A family of 3D-printed shades, integrating organic and parametric elements to achieve a complex & intelligent design.
Looking to create a form that had its roots in the natural world. Something that looked like it could have grown from a seed. Something that would look familiar, yet would be impossible to create in any other way than through 3D printing.
Through advanced 3D modelling and simulation, a highly organic form is achieved to produce an ideal and beautiful lighting effect. The twisted blades reduce the glare from a distance whilst slowly reveals the light source as the shade is approached.
Ruche is a collaboration with the award-winning lighting company PLUMEN and the shades are specially designed to complement their light bulbs.
The product is now available for purchase through PLUMEN.
See more of the product here.
We use different types of biowaste such as orange peel, pine needles and reed to create contrasting material panels that can be used as a means of visual communication. They can also be used to create expressive artworks. Please get in touch to enquire about projects.
Our latest piece, the Flute man, depicts a musician playing to his fellow Andean llama and flamingo, sharing the healing sound of the flute. This 100x100cm artwork is made of orange peel, reed and pine needles and was inspired by nu-cumbia music and artists that play with the sounds of the sika and quena flutes. The amazing live performance of Chancha via Circuito at Boom Festival 2016 was what really kick-started this project.
Biohm is a London-based research and development led company that aims to promote a healthier and more sustainable built environment. Their philosophy is to allow nature to lead innovation and create systems that benefit the human, the environment and the economy.
Aleksi’s work with Biohm started in the summer of 2017 when he met the company’s founder Ehab Sayed while exhibiting his ‘Grown Structures’ project in London. Since joining Biohm as Material Development Manager, he has led exciting research on mycelium materials. With Biohm, he is currently refining their recipes and techniques. Biohm is aiming to gain accreditation and start to use the material buildings as insulation and in the future, structurally.
“Muki” is a collection of organically shaped, boldly coloured coasters made from 100% recycled plastic. The collection is
inspired by the pop art movement and represents the
emergence of craft and artisan-scale plastic recycling into
the popular mainstream.
We set out to create a popularly recognisable and relatable product that represents the current stage and status of design, in terms of its aesthetics, method of manufacturer and concept. The product represents the current perspectives and reactionary human phenomena regarding the current zeitgeist, and defining theme of the anthropocene; sustainability.
“Muki” is not just a coaster but a storyteller, and an example of what results when contemporary decision making, that responds to the unique current socio-ecological climate, is applied to a simple product. It is different to coasters made 20 years ago and will be different to coasters made in 20 years time.
We hand collect, sort, wash and shred our material. We then mould it in house, using machines and moulds we designed and built ourselves.
The concept isto build up a collection of Muki coasters, over time, and as more ranges are released, when new inspirations are discovered.
Window Display Installation for Artisans’ Royal Club at Gaysorn Village, Bangkok. Completed in June 2018 in conjunction with the store’s launch event.
Artisans’ Royal Club is one-stop destination for Gentlemen in the heart of Bangkok, bringing together 3 Thai-brands at the forefront of their game to offer a fully bespoke experience, from Denim and Leather to Tailoring.
The installation utilised the wide range of materials available from each brands, to exhibit the possibilities of bespoke products they offer as well as adding a contemporary appearance to the store whilst still maintain its sophistication.
Our fruit inspired Upcycling Sculptures was the first collaboration between all members of MANDIN.
Growing zero-waste structures from oyster mushrooms as an environmentally friendly construction method.
Exhibited as part of London Festival of Architecture and Made in Brunel Design Showcase, OXO Tower Bargehouse, 15-18 June 2017.
Check out the project at Dezeen and Treehugger.
A seaweed and recycled paper composite material. This project aimed to change perspectives of the hugely abundant plant many regard as ocean waste. Brown algae contain alginates that act as a natural polymer, binding the algae and recycled paper together with a little water.
16 million tons of orange peel waste is produced every year. A juicer in a café can generate up to 20 kg of waste orange peels during one summer day.
We collect fruit peels and turn them into durable and biodegradable objects with a nice scent.
Exhibited at Biodesign Here Now as part of London Design Festival, Open Cell, London, September 2018 Exhibited at Materials for Architecture, ILEC Conference Centre, April 2018, London Exhibited at Made in Brunel Pop Up Showcase, Design Museum London, January 2017 Exhibited at Made in Brunel Final Year Show, OXO Tower Bargehouse, June 2017, London Exhibited at EAT THIS! Festival, Amsterdam, 2015 & London Design Museum, 2017.
See our shop or enquire at aleksi.mandin about bespoke peel projects or hosting workshops.
Collection of recycled pieces built for the Berliner Bar in Beeston (Nottingham, UK). Using mostly pallet wood for the outdoor bench, hanging sign, coffee table. Painted pillar using artwork from the East Side Gallery in Berlin as inspiration.
Exhibiting our work and London Design Museum.
The machine is part of a greater project to develop the process of turning waste HDPE/LDPE into a useable material. HDPE and LDPE both have a very low melting point of 130°C and 100°C respectively. This means that they can easily be melted and formed into useable material. To maximise the structural integrity and density of the material it is required to shred it down into thin straw like strands. The project was conducted as part of my internship at FabLab RUC, full documentation and of the project and a tutorial is available here.
The project was also featured on Hack A Day, the article can be found here.
An experiment which took its course after finding a pile of broken inner tubes on a bicycle trip.
Made in collaboration with Mads Hobye Henrik Larsen and Peter Kuchinke at The Glass factory, Boda, as part of the traveling exhibition "Handmade - Scandinavian Glass Starting All Over" that shows the innovative trends in handmade Nordic glass.
Klang is part of the experimental exhibition which pioneered the exploration of the synergy between programmable interactivity and the traditional glass blowing craft. The object responds by the chiming sound of crystal as the inner glass ball reacts to an approaching interactor.
