In an inspiring fusion of traditional materials and cutting-edge technology, the design team of Taiwanese designers Chao-Chun Kung, Ching-Yu Lin, and Chen-Yang Chang has embarked on an innovative project titled “After the Last Sip.” Showcasing at Fab.Pub in East London during the London Design Festival, this captivating exhibition runs from September 12th to 18th in 2026, unveiling the transformation of everyday waste into breathtaking design pieces.
The journey begins with used tea leaves and spent coffee grounds sourced from London’s bustling bubble tea shops and cafés. These materials are meticulously dried, ground, and combined with PLA — a biodegradable polymer — before undergoing rigorous testing. The aim is to explore how factors such as particle size and blending nuances affect the color, texture, translucency, and structural behavior of the end products.
Aesthetic Experiments in Robotic Printing
At the heart of “After the Last Sip” lies an exploration of parametric design and robotic 3D printing. By utilizing these techniques at Fab.Pub, the project reimagines discarded materials into strikingly innovative furniture, lighting, and sculptures. Notably, the designers preserve each object’s layered textures and visible traces of its raw origins and manufacturing journey.
Chao-Chun Kung’s “CHA / 茶” delves into Taiwan‘s rich tea heritage, interweaving tea as both a material and cultural reference. This is brought to life using a custom parametric system inspired by the Chinese character for tea, 茶. Ching-Yu Lin’s piece, “Undetermined Shore,” employs coffee grounds to recreate surfaces resembling Taiwan’s evolving coastline.
“Iced Tea,” another creation by Chao-Chun Kung, demonstrates innovative lighting design, its large-scale structures showcasing tea-waste PLA composite with evident layered textures and glowing translucency.
Exploring Parametric Geometries
Chen-Yang Chang offers further exploration in parametric geometries through “Nexus Bloom” and “Unfolding Bloom,” continuing the dialogue between digital design and physical form. Each piece in the exhibition illuminates the challenges and breakthroughs of working with unconventional materials.
“Undetermined Shore” is crafted from coffee-ground PLA composites, evoking sediment-like landscapes. The design hints at Taiwan’s coastal transitions, displaying intricate, layered surfaces.
The extensive use of large-scale robotic 3D printing at Fab.Pub elevates the traditional crafting process, with Chao-Chun Kung guiding the intricate development of key components.
Merging Heritage with Innovation
The efforts of the project do not shy away from the imperfections of this experimental process. Instead, they highlight the journey of these materials from mundane residues to refined forms, showcasing a remarkable blend of cultural tradition and modern technology. As revealed through the exhibition, the venture is a testament to how discarded materials can be recast into objects of artistic and functional value. It stands as a celebration of sustainability and creativity, pushing boundaries in design exploration.
Explore similar innovative design processes in Sculptor Brews Up a Spaghetti Monster and witness unique artistic creations from everyday materials.
Dive deeper into eco-friendly innovations with The Vegan Re-Imagining of Eleven Madison Park and discover sustainable transformations in the culinary world.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the ‘After the Last Sip’ project about?
‘After the Last Sip’ is an innovative project by designers Chao-Chun Kung, Ching-Yu Lin, and Chen-Yang Chang, showcasing the transformation of used tea leaves and coffee grounds into design pieces using 3D printing technology.
Where and when is the exhibition displayed?
The exhibition is showcased at Fab.Pub in East London during the London Design Festival from September 12th to 18th, 2026.
How are the waste materials utilized in the project?
Used tea leaves and coffee grounds are dried, ground, and combined with PLA, a biodegradable polymer, then transformed into furniture, lighting, and sculptures through parametric design and robotic 3D printing.