These traffic sign chairs were created from cast off traffic signs and old, school chair frames. The style of these chairs was inspired by origami and the resulting design is edgy, urban and cool. Better still these chairs are comfortable and perfect for outside use – the traffic signs were made to be outdoors!
These traffic sign chairs were designed and made by Carter Averbeck, an upcycler from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Carter tells us he was born into upcycling. He remembers his mother stopping at every garage sale they passed by. Additionally, the family used to build things from materials they bought at auctions. The Averbeck house was filled with beautiful and unusual furniture that they had built themselves!
Origin of the traffic sign chairs
Carter began seeing cast off traffic signs popping up around town. As a creative person he likes to imagine the potential in a material. He saw the traffic signs and was reminded of his childhood interest in origami. He wondered if the traffic signs could be folded in the same way to make seats.
I remembered a time when I was a kid and one of my favorite hobbies was origami. I loved folding paper into intricate objects, so why not transfer that concept to metal signs? These chairs are the result of that.
The chair bases come from a school that was throwing out their old chairs to replace them with new ones. It hadn’t occurred to them to sell the chairs or donate them to a reuse centre. Carter purchased the whole lot and intends to make traffic sign chairs until he runs out of frames.
Along with the upcycled traffic sign chairs, Carter creates other reclaimed and restyled furniture as part of his shop, Omforme Design. Last year Omforme Design saved over 6,000 pounds of waste from the landfill. Carter especially enjoys educating the public about transforming waste into trendy home decor. He believes trash can become beautiful by being transformed in a modern and urban, cool way. We definitely agree.
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totally innovative! you guys are the real deal… keep it coming!
It’s an interesting idea, but these chairs don’t look comfortable.
Oh waw these are just amazing i love the industrial look of furniture. Any idea where i can get some signs or used signs i would love to try to make one myself!
Great idea! Congrats from me
Great idea! I really admire people who use their creativity in such a way that they create beautiful things and at the same time they help nature! The chairs look so nice.