In my opinion glass is one of the most intriguing materials to use in a design. It can be extravagant or minimal and subtile. It can have a cool or warm look. And it’s used a lot, just look around to see what products are made out of or use glass.
That’s why there’s also a lot of glass thrown away and recycled. And fortunately for the planet and for us it’s also popular among upcycle designers. Have a look at Fluid Glass Movements by Michael Allison and Past & Future by Piet Hein Eek.

Wine glass floats like a Zeppelin

Another designer that made upcycled glass is designer Tat Chao, based in Montreal | Canada. He made a collection called ‘IN VITRO’, it’s the rebirth of the rejected, the out of style, the damaged.
The collection shows items made out of upcyled glassware that he found in second-hand shops and got through donations from friends and family. He glues the pieces together and transforms them into something else giving them a second life, like for instance a candleholder.

And the design that you see in this post is also part of IN VITRO and is called Bipolaire. It’s made by cutting of the bases of two wine glasses and then gluing them face to face with an anodized aluminum ring, which wraps a strip of LED lights in the middle. The result is just mesmerizing. Bipolaire looks like a little Zeppelin light or even a very small sea creature. The design is so elegant and minimal and it just floats in space.

Tat Chao:

“The IN VITRO Collection is a tribute to the beauty and the eclecticism of the glassware and crystalware industry. Each product is carefully handmade in Montreal. IN VITRO is the rebirth of the rejected, the out of style, the damaged.”

Photos © Tat Chao

The bases that are cut off are turned into spinning tops. Absolutely nothing is wasted here!
Never thought that old and/or discarded wine glasses could get such a fantastic second life.

Design by Tat Chao | Facebook