Workshop Re-Design Lab
Seatbelts: an environmental and recycling challenge

At the Re-Design Lab workshop (July 4–6, Lesignano de’ Bagni), we responded with design, transforming a material that’s tough to recycle – resistant, technical, and yet forgotten – into four innovative and tangible circular economy projects.

In just three intense days of prototypes, insights, and teamwork, we created:

Belt-Lift – a ceiling-lift system for bikes or suitcases that frees up floor space. It uses the original belt retractors to lock the load in place, safely and conveniently.

Intrecci – a play path for public parks, made of tunnels and modules where woven seatbelts create tactile, sensory spaces to crawl through and explore. An experiential, educational, fully upcycled play structure.

SEATnCLIP – a seat for waiting areas (airports, stations) that recalls the familiar motion of leaning against a belt while traveling. A piece of furniture that blends function and memory, with suspended belts to “re-buckle”.

IN-trax – a foldable table where belts, stretched diagonally, become so taut they support the tabletop without bending. Lightweight, collapsible, and functional: structural tension as a design principle.

All of this was made possible thanks to the collaboration between designers, students, companies, and institutions – showing that circular design is not just theory, but a way to create value, functionality, and storytelling from waste.

With the support and patronage of:

Municipality of Lesignano de’ Bagni
IUAV – Vicenza campus
NABA Milan
CNA Parma
Autodemolizione Dante
CO.G.I. Srl
Lamoretti Farm
Arch. Giorgio Martino

Organized by: Ánako Aps
Directed by: Valerio Vinaccia
[email protected]