Course: MArch 1
Atelier: CPU
Hi, I'm Yang Pengcheng.
I was born in Shandong, China, and graduated from Wenzhou-Kean University. During my undergraduate studies, I had some work experience in construction companies in both places, so while I have some architectural knowledge, I am familiar with both ancient and modern Chinese architecture.
Environmental issues are also very serious problems in China (for example, the coastal areas of Wenzhou are seriously polluted), and we are also looking for better solutions. So I am very interested in this event because it provides a simple and direct way of thinking about the recycling of plastics. The whole process does not actually require professional skills to participate or even lead, and this method of watching and participating in person actually plays a role in establishing people's concepts.

Team Intro

We are Group 39, working in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Plastic Shed to explore the potential of community donated recycled plastic as a material for innovative, bespoke furniture and shop design. Our goal is to transform waste into functional, creative, and sustainable pieces that showcase the possibilities of circular design while promoting environmental awareness and community collaboration.
Developing modular furniture crafted from recycled plastic, emphasising functionality and replicability. Our aim is to produce IKEA-style assembly instructions for our designs, promoting plastic recycling at a wider scale, increasing our social impact. Locally, we seek to engage the Stockport community in recycling and create meaningful interactions, while showcasing innovative solutions for plastic waste.

This is an exciting opportunity to help a small business reach its maximum potential by collaborating together with a range of skills, pushing the boundaries of design, sustainability, and material innovation, which in turn will create a positive real-world impact.

Partners Intro

Plastic Shed, the UK's first high-street recycling centrea.
Its creative inspiration comes from two outstanding projects, Precious Plastic and Men Sheds. Rachel Lewis, the founder of Plastic Shed, is eager to build solidarity and empathy in the community through these projects, bringing different people together and providing opportunities to do something meaningful together to solve the plastic problem.

Plastic Shed unites people to tackle plastic pollution. They do this by providing a variety of ways for people to participate in the reuse of local plastic waste. When they help people in the community work together to transform plastic waste into new and useful items through social activities, their approach also helps to strengthen community cohesion, empower people to take action, and support personal health and well-being when people use materials creatively and contribute to meaningful projects. At the same time, the spread of Plastic Shed's deeds will also effectively make people aware of the seriousness of the plastic problem and the diversity of solutions to the problem.

In the past, Plastic Shed was based in Stockport, where they completed the UK's largest mural made from 100% recycled plastic bottle caps. In 2025, they are about to take the next step in the development of the business to the next stage - moving into their own space in Manchester. This is why Caitlin, the owner of the organization, wanted to work with MSA Live this year.

Project Intro

Plastic Shed is very open-minded about what we are going to produce based on using recycled plastic and what waste plastic could be brought. As they are planning to rent a new place in the future, they want us to provide ideas and design for the new space, with both interior and exterior. Which might involve installation of furniture and display to improve the promotion of using plastic sheets. To find out more about the possibilities of these plastic sheets by applying them as an additional part of the space, for example using them as material for the walls, floors or ceiling.

In addition, they also want to explore the potential of using plastic sheets to make furniture. Turning the plastic sheets becomes more functional. To create some new furniture such as chairs, tables, desks and workshop benches to support the daily operation of the workshop, and promote the usage of plastic waste to the community.

Therefore during this MSA Live, we need to give out some examples or ideas towards the display of plastic waste. Studying the plastic sheets to test or find out if there is any possibility to use the plastic sheets as part of decorative material for the interior of space. Also, we need to create furniture prototypes using plastic sheets to make scale models and assembly methods to allow them to adapt for the future.

March 13
SITE VISITVISIT
We met with Caitlin at her new store on this day. She enthusiastically introduced to us the large wall art she had previously made near the store using various discarded plastic bottle and can lids. She also introduced the machines she currently uses to process plastic waste and the success she has achieved with this process. During this visit, we learned more about her space needs (such as the tight storage space she showed us) and the people she contacts and serves on a daily basis. This information will help us better help her plan and design the new space.

ACTION PLAN: WEEK 1
We have prepared an activity plan for the furniture making activity in May. The picture shown is a simplified version of the plan for the first week, which mainly focuses on members' understanding of the project site and furniture design. Come and see if you are interested and join us!

ACTION PLAN WEEK2
This week we will focus on making more detailed plans based on the design and installation of the solution selected last week, making the solution feasible. These actions will help Plastic Shed better activate this community!