The Blurred Interface: Karakore Recycling Center

Project idea

The purpose of this project was to address the neglect the area was facing in terms of land use and its connection to the surrounding urban fabric. Inspired by the local practice of plastic collection and the ability of plastic to be transformed into almost any intended object, I wanted to reflect this process through the relationship between human experience and material transformation. This idea helped shape a new character for the site, reactivating it and turning it into a driver for the local economy. Through the concept of Blurring the Buffer, I challenge the conventional separation between waste and product. Instead of treating them as two isolated stages, the building creates a continuous sequence of spaces where waste gradually becomes product, allowing people to experience the transformation process rather than simply observe its end result.

Project description

The project proposes a facility that combines the plastic recycling process with Human experiances.the Plastic Recycling ncludes the different stages of plastic transformation, from collection and sorting to processing, thread production, workshops, and the creation of final products. At the same time, the project introduces exhibition spaces, learning areas, viewing points, and public gathering spaces that allow people to engage with and understand the process. Instead of separating the industrial functions from the public experience, the design brings them together through the concept of Blurring the Buffer. This creates a interface where people can witness the transformation of plastic as it moves from waste to product. Through this approach, the project aims to reactivate the site, and create awareness around recycling, and support the local economy.

Technical information

The building is designed using prefabricated steel elements that allow for easy assembly and disassembly. The structural system is kept lightweight and flexible, while the outer skin is made of a tensile membrane, helping to reduce the overall weight of the building. This combination allows for longer spans, which are necessary for the programmatic requirements of the space. Additional bracing elements support and hold the membrane in place, ensuring structural stability while maintaining openness and flexibility. As the area develops in the future, the building components can be dismantled and relocated to another site facing similar conditions, allowing the structure to continue its purpose elsewhere instead of remaining fixed in one context.