Ethan Farman

Stratum Bedside Table

My project explored how recycled skateboard decks and concrete could be combined to create a bedside table that captures the character of skatepark design. The brief asked me to design a functional, everyday object that communicates cultural identity while addressing sustainability. My main idea was to transform discarded skateboards—objects rich with history and texture—into a material that expresses the creativity and resilience of skate culture.

I considered how the forms and curves of skateparks could influence the table’s structure, using sketches, cardboard models, and 3D printing to refine proportion and balance. When limited access to facilities restricted my original plan, I experimented with sand casting techniques, reflecting the DIY adaptability that defines skateboarding.

The final design featured a concrete base with a smooth curved form and a tabletop made from recycled decks, symbolising the tension between permanence and play.

This project is significant because it merges sustainability with cultural storytelling. It demonstrates how waste materials can hold aesthetic and emotional value and challenges how we think about everyday objects. By linking design with lived experience, my project contributes a new perspective on how making can reflect identity, resilience, and creative reuse.