Sustainable Design: Old Car Parts Transformed Into Trendy New Furniture

Israeli designer Ronen "Tinman" Wasserman has developed a line of beautiful and sustainable furniture. By salvaging and upcycling discarded car parts, he transforms them into tables, lamps chairs and sculptures.

Tinman, who comes from a background as a mechanical engineer, finds most of his materials at various junkyards where he buys it for relatively cheap before transforming the parts into designer furniture.

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"I enjoy giving a "front seat" to the more minor aspects of these automobile parts, making sure every ounce of potential is squeezed from each one," Tinman writes on his website. "The way I see it, every scar, every deformation, only adds to the worldliness and wisdom that I try to infuse into each piece of furniture - the final product."

Tinman notes that he puts a great deal of effort in "preserving elements" from each pieces previous life, including indentations, scratches and trademark symbols.

Since Tinman is working in uncharted territory he's had to develop his own technique, mixing different methods including welding, riveting and pasting.

"Each project worked on in the studio reinvents the wheel of technique per its unique needs and material makeup," he writes.

Click through the slideshow for pictures of Tinman's pieces and their descriptions.

via PSFK

"A Reading Lamp from Automotive Parts. The base of the lamp is a motorcycle’s disc brake, the body is an engine’s camshaft, and the lampshade is a hubcap of an American car. The lamp can hold up to three light bulbs.Size in cm:47X40X40"

"A washing station, created from the complete engine hood of a Volvo 240. The hood was bent on a custom-made metal frame. The sink is a transformed oil sump. This cabinet can be used as a sink for ritual hand washing, with a (an internal) wood cupboard and a faucet ready to be used. This unit has an authentic Volvo look – the original indentations were painstakingly preserved and the color matched to the original paint. This is not only a practical, durable and useful unit - but a unique and original piece of art. Price:20,000 NIS. Size in cm:93X162X65"

"A used BMW hood was bent and stretched to fit over and support three elegant glass shelves. The original elements were intentionally left on the hood, a sign of the part’s automotive past. The unit is painted with car paint and has a layer of epoxy-based varnish to add shine and durability. This unit is both freestanding and mountable, and can be used as an exquisite unit to exhibit precious and special collectables. size in cm:120X92X40"

"A unique hall table,created from recycled metal parts of a Citroen C4.The hood was bent curved and placed on a support frame,preserving the piece’s original indentations. The drawer includes grey inner lining, an anti-slamming mechanism,and the drawer handle features an original hood emblem. This table was hand-built by the artist."

"A coffee table built from recycled parts of a Kawasaki motorcycle and painted in the trademark Kawasaki colors.The table’s body is a fuel tank from a Kawasaki ZX6 motorcycle, with a niche carved out for newspapers. Its base is a motorcycle wheel, and the tabletop is tempered glass, attached to the petrol tank cap.Size in cm:70X72X55"

"This table’s body is a fule tank of a 1986 Suzuki R750 motorcycle, with the original paint job. Skid marks were intentionally preserved, to create an authentic look. The table’s base is the motorcycle wheel.The table top is oval shaped tempered glass, cut to fit the tank breather. The table is an iconic piece for enthusiasts of this legendary model. Size in cm:80X62X47"

"An old Nissan truck back door, beaten up and slit to pieces, is stretched over a metal frame. It is all painted a clear and smooth varnish, keeping the original look exactly as is.Including the sticker…"

"An impressive chest, designed from recycled pieces of a BMW 318. The chest is based on a massive iron frame, and uses pieces of an old BMW vehicle. The inside of the wooden chest is lined with blue velvet. The chest stands on shiny nickel legs and has both door and carry handles.Size in cm:77X115X50"

"The base is a motorcycle wheel and the lamp’s body is a cut fule tank,painted a daring Honda red. Six LED bulbs are planted in the lamp, giving a nique and enchanting sporty aura.Size in cm:170X75X55."