PlasterWorks

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PlasterWorks is a material research and interior design project that transformed an abandoned East London high street shop into a vibrant, functional creative space for the local community. The project explored the architectural and social potential of waste materials—specifically discarded plasterboard—by reimagining it through a blend of Renaissance stucco techniques and DIY fabrication.

Working with Blackhorse Workshop and supported by Waltham Forest Council and Arts Council England, I developed a process to recycle local plasterboard waste into durable, pigmented panels and surfaces. This reclaimed material was used to build custom furniture, wall cladding, and interior fittings—giving the space both structure and identity through its very fabric.

The studio was not only made from waste but also became a site for collective making. Over the course of one summer, more than 1,000 local residents took part in open-access workshops where they learned to cast and sculpt with the recycled plaster. These sessions invited participants of all ages to engage hands-on with material reuse, fostering both creativity and a deeper connection to the built environment.

PlasterWorks is a model for circular design and community regeneration, demonstrating how overlooked materials and spaces can be reactivated through craft, collaboration, and care

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