The META Design team collected leftover concrete from slump tests and tried casting it into a tabletop. After several days of drying, the moment of “unveiling” finally arrived. But when the mold was removed, the result wasn’t quite what they expected—the coarse aggregates were too large and unevenly distributed, making the surface less than ideal.
Bringing the tabletop to a partner stone workshop, the owner, Mr. Jiang, took one look and said, “No problem.” He suggested reinforcing it with rebar anchors and then grinding and polishing the surface to restore its strength and bring out its texture.
Under the skilled hands of the stone craftsmen, the dull gray surface slowly transformed. As they polished, the grains and stones began to emerge, revealing a unique terrazzo-like finish made from reclaimed concrete. The tabletop was eventually installed at the reception counter of the Construction Waste Upcycling Project 1.0—retaining traces of its origin while showcasing a surprising transformation.
Photo credit: META Design
