Electri-City: Benjamin Yates Creates Miniature Sci-Fi Worlds From Recycled E-Waste

<a href="http://www.photocubism.com/" target="_blank">Benjamin Yates</a> has transformed waste electronic parts such as <a href="http://inhabitat.com/recycled-circuit-board-installation-maps-out-melbourne/" target="_blank">recycled circuit boards</a>, old VCRs and computer components into a series of amazing Electri-City Coffee Tables - which are able to play music, access email, display digital images and even run a train set! The futuristic tables reimagine antiquated electronics as streets, houses and miniature people to "conjure an image of future society“ that resembles the neon-lit cityscape from Blade Runner.

The integrated <a href="http://inhabitat.com/algae-powered-latro-lamp-transforms-co2-into-light/" target="_blank">lighting system</a> transforms this useful piece of furniture into a fun and colorful toy.

Electronic parts of the Electri-City Tables are contained inside a sturdy acrylic and glass enclosure.

Electri-Cities come in various shapes and sizes and can have different lighting and functionality options.

The design entices one to explore its features and take a closer look at the intricate network of streets and city blocks.

The screws from computers have been used to fasten the city structures to the ground and the plastic or metal outer casings are used to form structures of the buildings or bridges.

Yates tries to utilize as much of the waste as possible.

Electri-Cities can be designed as pieces of furniture or simply as decorative elements resembling small planets and aerial views of cities as seen through a fish-eye lens.