An Atelier of Other, Luxembourg

An Atelier of Other created a use for repurposed fibreglass boats and turning this strong, light and weather-proof material into slates. The properties of this material resonates with the traditional stone slate construction of roofs and walls observed throughout Luxembourg’s vernacular architecture. Furthermore, this material provides us with a plethora of colours and patinas.

The project stems from a Master’s design thesis at the Architectural Association in London. After 3 years of research, the objective became ever more evident; to repurpose and upcycling ELBs (end of life boats) fibreglass hulls, to critic and reveal hidden qualities and potentials unrealised by the boating industry nor the general public. Little is known about this ubiquitous waste material, but when ELBs reaches a recycling centre, it is mechanically crushed and ground down before heading to landfill. The process is brutally simplistic and energy intensive. We are in a global market where the demand for fibre glass and production is ever increasing. Isn’t it counterintuitive to render it as waste and throw away?