'27 Degrees' is a collection of minimalist objects made from waste produced by the Irish slate mining industry, exploring how designers can collaborate with indigenous industries to take part in a more circular production process. This project was realised in collaboration with Valentia Slate Quarry in Co. Kerry to explore potential high-value applications for their waste material.
The process of extracting slate consists of multiple sawing operations, all of which produce a very fine dust. This slate dust collects in abundance, and no established waste stream for this by-product currently exists. After extensive experimentation with the material and various production methods, the intercepted slate dust was used to develop a castable geopolymer that can be processed into three-dimensional forms, resulting in a hard concrete-like finish with a ceramic timbre.
The name and visual language of the project drew inspiration from the natural petrology of Valentia Island’s slate vein, which lies at 27 degrees.
![Final Objects](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/67a1838511-1711919014/1-27-degrees-hero-image-1200x-q80.jpg)
Final Objects
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/3576c57022-1711919014/2-the-grotto-1200x-q80.jpg)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/cca16da07d-1711919014/3-slate-mounds-1200x-q80.jpg)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/326fef4e7d-1711919014/4-slate-states-1200x-q80.jpg)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/e464d847eb-1711919014/5_material-samples.gif)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/159e9aaa3e-1711919014/6-form-exploration-digital-sketch-models-1200x-q80.jpg)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/d6e7ee78f6-1711919014/7_27-degrees-spinning_1.gif)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/aac1bf2621-1711919014/8-catalogue-image-1200x-q80.jpg)
![](https://2021.ncad.works/media/pages/graduates/nicolas-wijnstekers/ebbfeb7f0b-1711919014/9-round-tray-hero-image-1200x-q80.jpg)