After completing his training as a cabinetmaker, Markus Schäfer discovered his true calling: upcycling. Inspired by the possibility of breathing new life into discarded objects while conserving resources, he founded his own label in 2014—Wandelwerk. Based in Stuttgart-Ost, the studio now produces an array of lanterns, drinking glasses, storage jars, vases, and lamps entirely from reclaimed glass. Working with used materials demands considerable patience and creative problem-solving, as improvisation is often part of the process. His "Individualist" drinking glasses begin as old wine bottles. The transformation is literal: bottles are carefully decapitated at the neck, then their edges are meticulously ground and smoothed through a multi-stage process. The result is a distinctive drinking glass available in white, green, or brown. The "Das Harmonische" lantern casts a warm glow across balconies, terraces, and living rooms. Created from an old wine bottle, the neck and base are removed, the edges are ground smooth, and a wooden base is crafted from reclaimed multi-layer panel offcuts. Wandelwerk vases draw from a diverse range of bottle sources—wine, whisky, and gas bottles alike. "Die Schlichte" stands out for its refined cylindrical form, becoming an elegant focal point especially when unfiltered sunlight plays across its surface. For those seeking something entirely one-of-a-kind, Schäfer welcomes custom commissions: simply send your own bottles for transformation.

www.wandelwerkdesign.de

Images:
Wandelwerk

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 03|23)