SWF’s New Suite of ‘Waste-to-Resource’ Products
Before the flurry of spring planting and onset of SWF’s peak farming and programming season, the SWF team worked hard to design + build a new suite of carpentry products that will be integrated into SWF’s daily practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development and lessons for upcoming apprenticeship cohorts, and, in the future, available for sale to neighbors and visitors, alike.
Since 2014, SWF has been transforming wastes to resources by creating furniture, shelving, garden beds, and home goods from reclaimed wood that would otherwise be disposed into landfills. This winter, the SWF team expanded its product portfolio with a focus on honing their woodworking skills and learning joinery techniques by hand to reduce the need for metal hardware. The team also sought to design + build practical tools and furniture required for everyday work at The Commonwealth.
The result is a new, wide ranging portfolio of SWF products that bring a fresh and refined aesthetic to The Commonwealth. From wooden mallets-to-toolboxes-to-a new shelf system capable of cultivating more than 3,000 seedlings, the SWF team has transformed wastestream wood into custom designed + built products that are regenerating life at The Commonwealth. Check out the new suite of products below, including:
SWF Wooden Mallet | Designed as an introductory woodworking project, the SWF Wooden Mallet provides a creative approach to designing and building a practical tool by hand. SWF team members and fellows applied their individual, artistic styles to craft a tool they will use everyday.
SWF Toolbox | The SWF Toolbox lesson offers woodworking and basic carpentry skill building, while also challenging creators to utilize materials on hand. Using a flexible template as a guide, learners of all ages can create a unique and useful resource.
Church Pews Transformed into SWF Storage Shelf & Boxes | SWF deconstructed 20 old church pews found within the Civic Arts Church to reclaim the plywood, upholstery fabric, and upholstery foam. Plywood from the pews was repurposed into shelving and storage for printmaking /art materials in Civic Arts Church during the initial activation of the space in Winter 2021.
Sliced Bench 2.0 | A lighter weight and refined take on SWF’s original Sliced Bench. Instead of using 2 x 4’s, Sliced Bench 2.0 takes advantage of SWF’s stock of reclaimed 1x wood material.
Shelf of Life | This custom-designed shelving system, made from reclaimed wood, is fitted with grow lights to hold seed trays for more than 3,000 seedlings. The SWF team built 2 Shelf of Life systems that are cultivating seedlings for the SWF Community Farm and Seedling Market.
Refined Picture Frames | An interesting twist on simple wooden frames, SWF’s refined picture frames use hand-chiseled joinery and glue instead of nails to connect reclaimed wood.
SWF Wooden Mallet
Designed as an introductory woodworking project, the SWF Wooden Mallet provides a creative approach to designing and building a practical tool by hand. SWF team members and fellows applied their individual, artistic styles to craft a tool they will use everyday.
Church Pews Transformed into SWF STORAGE unit + Boxes
SWF deconstructed 20 church pews to reclaim the plywood, upholstery fabric, and upholstery foam. Plywood from the pews was repurposed into shelving and storage for printmaking /art materials in Civic Arts Church during the initial activation of the space in Winter 2021.
SWF Toolbox
The SWF Toolbox lesson offers woodworking and basic carpentry skill building, while also challenging creators to utilize materials on hand. Using a flexible template as a guide, learners of all ages can create a unique and useful resource.
Sliced Bench 2.0
A lighter weight and refined take on SWF’s original Sliced Bench. Instead of using 2 x 4’s, Sliced Bench 2.0 takes advantage of SWF’s stock of reclaimed 1x wood material.
shelf of life
This custom-designed shelving system, made from reclaimed wood, is fitted with grow lights to hold seed trays for more than 3,000 seedlings. The SWF team built 2 Shelf of Life systems that are cultivating seedlings for the SWF Community Farm and Seedling Market.
Refined Picture Frames
An interesting twist on simple wooden frames, SWF’s refined picture frames use hand-chiseled joinery and glue instead of nails to connect reclaimed wood.
