ZHEKAI.ZHANG
Table Lamp Collection
COFFIRE
How to create a unique pattern for each industrial ceramic product. The COFFIRE project might offer an answer.
The COFFIRE porcelain table light through the innovation of surface finishing technique by using used coffee grounds as sustainable coloring material to form mimic textures of marble under the mass production scenario.
The eco-conscious method of staining is inspired by the ancient pit firing technique for pottery making. During the low temperature (700-1000℃) firing process, the interaction between the biodiesel and the sugar in the coffee grounds, which oxidized to red matter, leave on the surface of the ceramics to form random texture, because the surface texture is influenced by many variables, such as temperature, humidity, coffee grounds density, etc.
The aim of the COFFIRE project is to develop the ‘imperfect’ design language from the perspective of the relationship between industrial standardized production and the craftsmanship.
Table Lamp Prototype
Material
COFFIRE table lamp is made from high-quality porcelain clay in Jingdezhen. After firing, the body is white, bright and glossy, and feels smooth and delicate. The glaze of the lampshade is made from coffee grounds. Currently, at least 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide each year, producing at least 8 million tons of coffee grounds. Most coffee grounds are discarded, landfilled or incinerated along with other waste. There is also a part of coffee grounds that will directly enter urban sewage discharge through the sewer. Therefore, the disposal of coffee grounds as waste will not only consume a lot of energy but also cause certain harm to the environment. Nevertheless, this design follows the concept of sustainable design, exploring a new possibility for the treatment of coffee grounds.
Making Process
Technology
The innovative coloring technology used in COFFIRE table lamp was derived from the ancient pit burning technology. During the low-temperature firing process at 700-1000°C, coffee grounds on the surface of the lamp will release biodiesel and sugar. Under the influence of temperature, humidity, coffee grounds’ concentration, and other variables, the interaction between the two substances will show a pink random texture on the surface of the lamp.
In addition, the traditional sandpits used in the pit burning process are replaced by gas kilns. First of all, it is easier to control gas kiln as a modern firing technology in terms of operation, achieving mass production and greatly improving the yield of lamp firing. Secondly, the gas kiln can be controlled at a constant temperature, so that the color of the fired lamp is more stable. Thirdly, since there are no trace elements in a gas kiln, the color saturation of the fired lamp is higher.
Color
Due to the innovative coloring technology, COFFIRE table lamp has a pink marble-like surface texture, which is a wonderful effect that no other glaze can achieve. The texture and color produced through this firing technology are different, making each lamp unique.