Demolished houses usually leave behind lots of scrap materials that, with a little bit of clever thinking, can be turned into fantastic new building supplies. Inspired by Italian-style terrazzo floors — made from waste produced in the marble mines — Dutch designer Dave Hakkens created a series of recycled composite “Rubble Floor” bricks by crushing and mixing materials from an old building. Old red bricks, roof and toilet tiles, glass, and even nails now have a new life as a colorful floor.
After several experiments using leftover materials and binders, this young designer worked out that he could recycle a vast amount of materials and mix them with 20-30% of new cement, making bricks that could last up to 100 years. But one of the most innovative aspects of this Design Academy of Eindhoven graduate’s project is the way he gives color to the bricks. Hakkens worked out that by crushing into powder and sieving some materials like black roof tiles or red bricks, he could create a pigment to make multicolored bricks with unlimited building possibilities.
Photo © Dave Hakkens
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To Whom it may Concern:
Is it possible to get a sample of this material? I am an interior design student and currently working on a school project regarding a sustainable school. I think this recycled material would be the perfect flooring material to use for my project.
If I could obtain a sample, could you please send me the one that is shown on the 8th page of the slideshow that says “75% mixed materials?” An actual sample would perfectly help with my presentation to my instructor and design panels.
Please notify me via email if it is possible to send one.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Angela Ravago
Interesting stuff – we’ve been waiting for someone to do this commercially for some time. About two years ago we were looking for a new work surface for our kitchen and after some looking decided to make it ourself out of crushed glass and concrete. 800 recycled crushed bottles and some sand, cement and grinding pads later we’ve got a totally unique surface that cost about £40 in materials (mind you there was a fair bit of labour too). Wonder how much these surfaces will sell for?