OTTAN studio turns orange peels, cut grass and carrot pulp into design objects

OTTAN studio is an istanbul-based impact enterprise that’s banging the drum for sustainable design without consuming precious virgin resources. founded in 2017, the team is developing upcycled materials from fruit peels, nut shells, fallen leaves and cut grass. from tiles to tables, and coasters to lighting, the products bring the beautiful colors of nature into interiors, and you can get your hands on OTTAN’s homeware collections on the designboom shop.

images courtesy of OTTAN studio

ayse yılmaz – founder of OTTAN studio – was first inspired to use biological waste as a raw material when she was sitting under a tree in an urban park, watching colorful autumn leaves on the ground. from leaves, the concept grew to include other discarded materials such as fruit peels, plant-based expired goods and cut grass. following extensive research and development, the OTTAN team began turning the organic waste into high-quality design objects. 

OTTAN coffee table made from expired lentils and cut grass

thus far, the team has applied the upcycled materials to furniture, lighting, home decoration and wall panels. the OTTAN coffee table is made from expired lentils and cut grass while carrot pulp, orange peels and artichoke leaves have been used to create lamps and ‘rolypoly’ containers.

OTTAN coffee table assembly

ayşe yılmaz summarizes the positive environmental impact of OTTAN’s green waste production model: ‘we don’t dig the mountains, destroy the forests and spend excessive energy to process the raw materials. we use 100% locally-sourced waste and materials. imagine fallen leaves on the streets… by using those leaves or pruned branches, we can save a 50-year-old tree that would otherwise be cut down to create the new product. as you can see, with OTTAN, our trees grow, produce, and flourish for ages.’

OTTAN coffee table assembly

rolypolys made from grass, coffee waste, lemon peels and carrot pulp

rolypoly made from carrot pulp and lemon peels

rolypoly made from green, orange and yellow lentils

table lamp made from carrot pulp

floor lamp made from orange peels

side tables made from expired lentils and a floor lamp made from artichoke leaves

cassie OTTAN side tables made from expired lentils

tiles made from orange peels

samples made from grass, leaves, and pistachio shells

project info:

design: ottan studio