Ignorance is Bliss ceramic tiles are glazed using pigments solely derived from industrial metal waste and by-products. Usually, these metals would be mined and undergo excessive processing. Drinking water supply and soil remediation industries, which produce thousands of tonnes of residue per year and are the main suppliers of metal waste for Ignorance is Bliss ceramic tiles. The collection of 20 selected colours is the result of years of extensive research and experimentation.
Cross-border/international
Netherlands
Lithuania
Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Other
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It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2017-04-01
As an individual
First name: Agne Last name: Kucerenkaite Gender: Female Nationality: Lithuania Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Kastanjelaan 1-631 Town: Eindhoven Postal code: 5616LH Country: Netherlands Direct Tel:+31648699822 E-mail:info@ignorance-bliss.com Website:https://ignorance-bliss.com
‘Ignorance is Bliss’ is a continuous design project founded by Agne Kucerenkaite. The research-based project utilises industrial waste and secondary materials and converts them into interior and exterior products of higher value. ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ is giving a new identity to waste and to the built environment, with empathy for planetary health.
‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles are glazed using pigments solely derived from industrial metal waste and byproducts. Usually, these metals would be mined and undergo excessive processing. The amount of waste in the glaze is up to 40%, as ceramic glazes are a combination of base transparent glaze and pigments. Drinking water supply and soil remediation industries, which produce thousands of tonnes of residue per year are the main suppliers of metal waste for ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles. The collection of 20 selected colours is the result of years of extensive research and experimentation. During the production process, each tile is touched by human hands around 9 times, leading to slight irregularities and subtle variations in shades. The collection has a distinctive look and feel and is intentionally formulated without poisonous lead and barium, which typically are common choices for bright colours. Tiles can be produced in almost unlimited quantities. Designed with a responsibility to human and environmental health, ‘Ignorance is Bliss ceramic tiles are on the way to becoming fully circular. In 2022, calcium carbonate used in the base glaze formula was replaced with the calcium byproduct (residual of the drinking water softening process) from the drinking water supply industries. Calcium carbonate is a melting agent that also reduces crazing and shrinkage, and increases hardness and durability. The amount of calcium waste in the current glazes is up to 20%, which significantly increases the total amount of waste used in the ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles.
ceramics
tiles
upcycling
waste
materials
Since the Industrial Revolution, ignorance and negligence have generated environmental pollution on a mass scale. Production facilities worldwide are calculating residues by tonnes and are facing difficulties with their disposal. The conducted research with various waste streams shows that most can be repurposed in creative ways and become a part of circular models. ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ projects primarily focus on industrial waste and by-products as these are usually consistent, ensuring a reliable qualitative supply. Typically, secondary raw materials don’t meet the ‘industry standard’ or are contaminated and are therefore dumped or downcycled. Reusing waste decreases the need of natural resources, reduces environmental pollution, and allows materials to be used to their fullest extent.
‘Theo Pouw’ soil remediation, based in Weert the Netherlands generates around 30200 tonnes of various metal waste per year. Part of that is utilised as secondary building materials for infrastructure engineering works and other purposes. Although, the big part is not recycled and stored in depots or leaves to dumpsters. Antaviliai water treatment plant, based in Vilnius, Lithuania (responsible to supply drinking water for half of the town residents), each month generates around 5 tonnes of iron sludge. Similarly, the Netherlands has around 100 water production locations that produce iron residuals of comparable amounts. Hereby, those companies are facing difficulties with the disposal. Research and development show that those metals can be adapted and used in the ceramics industry. The composition is almost the same as industrially produced colour pigments and other materials. At the moment iron, manganese, metal mix and calcium waste from diverse industries and processes are used for the ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles. In this project, surprisingly, the more contaminated the raw material, the more vibrant the designed objects are.
‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles’ main customers are interior designers and architects who design projects with awareness and understanding the value of this unique product. The demand for sustainable architectural and interior products has been steadily increasing in recent years due to the growing awareness and concern for environmental issues. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of the products they purchase and are seeking products that are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and made from sustainable materials. Architects and designers are also specifying more sustainable products in their projects to meet the growing demand and to promote environmental stewardship. This demand is driving the development of new and innovative products that are more sustainable and meet the changing needs of the market. ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ products are relevant to consumers because they can reduce waste and conserve resources, can help lower long-term costs, promote ethical and socially responsible practices and contribute to a healthier planet and future generations.
We spend around 90% of our time indoors, thus we need to consider the health and environmental impacts that products and materials have upon us through their life cycle. ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ adopts a holistic framework by a comprehensive study of materials and their footprint. The complexity can only be understood through collaborative working, transparency, and ongoing dialogue throughout the disciplines. Upscaling is pivotal to the project, while still keeping a balance with crafts. Products are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and designed for greater longevity. The waste still has a negative connotation in our society, but ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ visualises and utilises it as a raw material for opportunities, rather than limitations. The resulting products will hopefully become a thread connecting past abuse with current reuse and future (blissful) awareness.
The 'Ignorance is Bliss' project is about fostering inclusiveness in a variety of sectors. It is a collaborative effort between designers, environmentalists, scientists, architects, and manufacturers, working together to achieve common goals. At the heart of the project is the belief that by bringing together a diverse group of experts, we can achieve better and more innovative results. The project has a versatile approach, and it focuses on a range of different research, techniques, and outcomes. It is not just limited to a single area of expertise, but instead, it brings together different disciplines to work together. This collaborative working environment encourages people from different backgrounds to work together and share their ideas, making the project an inclusive one.
One of the key advantages of the 'Ignorance is Bliss' project is its established partnerships with various organizations. These partners provide the waste materials that are critical to the project's success. For example, 'Aquaminerals', based in the Netherlands, and 'Vilniaus vandenys', based in Lithuania provide various waste from the drinking water supply. Finally, 'Theo Pouw', based in the Netherlands, is a soil remediation company that also plays a key role in the project by providing diverse sludge contaminated with metals. In addition, there are several 'Ignorance is Bliss' tiles production facilities across Europe (the Netherlands, Portugal and Italy). Factories are not focused on mass production but rather on smaller scale and craftsmanship. The 'Ignorance is Bliss' project encourages these companies to rethink their production methods further by transitioning towards sustainable innovation. The 'Ignorance is Bliss' project is not just about the final outcome, but it is about the journey and the impact it has on the people involved. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive future for everyone.
The "Ignorance is Bliss" ceramic tiles project is aimed at fulfilling the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly products, especially in the fields of architecture and interior design. With consumers becoming more mindful of the environmental impact of the products they buy, and architects and designers looking for sustainable solutions for their projects, the project offers a unique and innovative solution. By using industrial metal waste and by-products as pigments for the tiles' glaze, the project reduces waste, conserves resources, and contributes to a healthier planet.
It is vital to consider the impact that products and materials have on our health, as we spend the majority of our time indoors. The "Ignorance is Bliss" project takes a holistic approach, considering the entire life cycle of the materials used. This required a collaborative effort across various disciplines, with transparency and ongoing dialogue being key. The project strikes a balance between upscaling and craftsmanship, resulting in functional, attractive, and long-lasting products.
The importance of healthy and sustainable buildings cannot be overstated, as they impact both our physical and mental well-being. They also have a significant impact on the environment, and the "Ignorance is Bliss" project is an example of how waste can be repurposed in a positive manner, instead of being seen as a negative. By visualizing waste as an opportunity rather than a limitation, the project hopes to foster a future of awareness and sustainability.
Drinking water supply and soil remediation industries are the main suppliers of metal and mineral waste for ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles and the main direct contributors to the project. ‘AquaMinerals’, based in the Netherlands, searches and identifies applications for the material streams that are generated by water treatment processes. ‘Vilniaus vandenys’ is the largest water supply company in Lithuania that operates in Vilnius and its suburbs. The company provides water supply and wastewater collection and treatment services for about 265.000 consumers. ‘Aquaminerals’ and ‘Vilniaus vandenys’ mainly contribute iron byproduct to Ignorance is Bliss projects. The substance is resulting from the production of drinking water from ferrous groundwater and surface water. Additionally, ‘AquaMinerals’ provides manganese oxide waste. Since 2022, ‘AquaMinerals’ supply with the calcium by-product, a residual of the drinking water softening process.
‘Theo Pouw’ is a soil remediation company, based in Weert, the Netherlands. It provides two types of metal waste compositions. The first one is extracted by a magnetic separator. Iron, nickel and cobalt are only three naturally occurring magnetic elements. The second one is obtained by the spiral concentrator, a device for metal and mineral separation mainly on the basis of density or shape. Both of the remaining residuals are mixtures of various metals, mostly iron.
The designer, Agne Kucerenkaite, applied her methodology across different factories in Europe and shared her knowledge through exhibitions and lectures. She also communicated the project through public discussions, symposiums and consulting with architects, designers, and the scientific community (please see the answer below). The involvement of different knowledge fields and stakeholders brought together various perspectives, skills, and knowledge, leading to the creation of a product that serves a practical purpose while promoting environmental stewardship.
The "Ignorance is Bliss" project reflects a number of different disciplines and knowledge fields, including design, architecture, materials science, waste management, and sustainability. Agne Kucerenkaite, the designer behind the project, was able to successfully apply her methodology in different factories across Europe and share her knowledge through lectures and exhibitions.
Since the beginning of the project, Agne was honest and transparent and invested much time in the communication of the project via exhibitions, symposiums that she participated in, discussions with the public and professionals, and searching like-minded industries who are open to sharing the facts about their waste and finding solutions. In addition, speaking with her direct client's architects and designers to better understand the needs of such products. Agne is in touch with the scientific community such as Sustainability in Business Lab, based in Zurich, Switzerland, specifically, Marija Spokaite who is an environmental consultant and helped all the years along the project. Moreover consulting with the ceramists who have knowledge in ceramic glazing, such as Olaf Stevens, Bernadette Stokwielder, Carla Teer and others.
The added value of this collaboration and cross-disciplinary approach was that it allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the potential of industrial metal waste and the creation of a sustainable, circular solution for its repurposing. The input from different fields brought together a variety of perspectives, knowledge, and skills, leading to a product that not only serves a practical purpose but also supports environmental stewardship. The successful implementation of this project serves as a model for others looking to adopt circular business models and provides a shining example of the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Agne Kucerenkaite replaced industrially made pigments with ones derived from waste. Waste might be seen as a limitation, due to the fact that the given metals can produce a reduced range of colours. 'Ignorance is Bliss' project seeks to take on this challenge and still achieve a significant variety of shades and colours. In addition, glazes are intentionally formulated without poisonous lead and barium, which typically are common choices for bright colours.
As the research continues, ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ ceramic tiles are being developed towards an even more environmentally friendly version. A holistic vision is adopted since the beginning of the project in order to rethink each cause and effect. Concerning sustainability, ceramic products are likely to fare well compared with other surfaces in architectural applications. Primarily, ceramic clays are composed of naturally occurring raw materials. At the moment up to 40% of each glaze is from upcycled content. It is expected to find further sources of industrial waste to increase the percentage. Since 2022, the calcium by-product (a residual of the drinking water softening process) is implemented in the glazes, which makes up to 20% alone in the total glaze formula. Currently, if the interior happens to be dismantled, tiles can be pulverised and added into new tiles and slabs. 'Ignorance is Bliss' tiles are visually unique, a combination of tradition and craftsmanship through the manufacturing process. Therefore, customers are investing in tiles for long-lasting interiors. The requests for 'Ignorance is Bliss' tiles are growing among architects and interior designers. All the collaborators to the project, including waste suppliers, tile manufacturers and others expressed their gratitude towards such a partnership, which helps to rethink their sustainability and waste management strategies and positioning among sustainability-oriented businesses.
The foundations of 'Ignorance is Bliss' date back to 2016. Agne Kucerenkaite began by analysing industrial metal waste from diverse sources and reclaiming it as a pigment for ceramics, glass and textiles, with a limited-edition homeware collection as an outcome. Over time, the project's complexity grew into in-depth theoretical and material research of diverse waste, leading to small and large-scale design applications. Ignorance is Bliss is an umbrella term for ongoing experimentation and disruptive cross-disciplinary thinking, which gradually develops into techniques and products that can be applied as architectural building materials and interior surfaces. The shift towards circular business models has been growing in recent years as companies have become more aware of the environmental and economic benefits of reducing waste and increasing resource efficiency. Back in 2016 the ideology if 'Ignorance is Bliss' was novel to the companies and the public. Waste was still considered negative and inatractive in design. 'Ignorance is Bliss' project is one of the pioneers in the architectural design field.
The 'Ignorance is Bliss' project is focused on circularity and upcycling industrial waste, which is becoming increasingly important in today's society as the world looks for ways to reduce waste and protect the environment. The circular economy model aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them before recovering and regenerating them. In the case of the 'Ignorance is Bliss' project, industrial waste is being repurposed into ceramic tiles, which not only reduces the need for new raw materials but also helps to minimize the amount of waste that is sent to landfills. Since the beginning of the project in 2016, unique know-how is collected through extensive research and experimentation. As a result, the personal ceramic samples library contains hundreds of tests and distinctive reliable colours.
The abundance and prevalence of waste and by-products allow for extensive exploration and experimentation. As a result of thorough research, such salvaged materials are repurposed into interior and exterior products of high quality and value. Upscaling is significant to the Ignorance is Bliss projects, while not solely relying on industry standards and consciously maintaining a balance with crafts. Generational architectural products adopt responsible production methods and give a new identity to space.
Agne Kucerenkaite replaced industrially made pigments with ones derived from waste. Waste might be seen as a limitation, due to the fact that the given metals can produce a reduced range of colours. Ignorance is Bliss projects seek to take on this challenge and still achieve a significant variety of shades and colours. In addition, glazes are intentionally formulated without poisonous lead and barium, which typically are common choices for bright colours. The amount of metal waste for a balanced glaze is up to 40%. Thorough research is conducted in several directions, such as adding waste pigments in clay and glaze, applying to flat and three-dimensional surfaces, using glazes on different clays (earthenware, stoneware and porcelain), firing within diverse temperature ranges, working with various firing programs and types of kilns. Each change requires different chemical formulations, therefore 'Ignorance is Bliss' is a continuous project.
The "Ignorance is Bliss" project is a pioneering initiative that showcases the potential of upcycling industrial metal waste and by-products into high-quality ceramic tiles. This methodology can be replicated in different locations, groups, and contexts and offers a unique solution for reducing waste and increasing resource efficiency. Ceramics is one of the possibilities of reusing such waste. Agne Kucerenkaite proved that such waste can successfully be implemented in glass and textiles (iron waste) with her other projects. Companies and designers can upcycle metal waste rather than recycle it in creative ways. The designer, Agne Kucerenkaite, has successfully implemented the project in various factories across Europe (the Netherlands, Portugal and Italy). The project involves a creative and innovative approach to waste management, and its methodology can be taught and replicated in any tile production facility. Agne is actively sharing her knowledge and expertise through lectures and events at institutions such as the Royal Danish Academy and during exhibitions and events, such as the Design Museum London, Dutch Design Week, London Design Week, Lithuania Design Week, among others. The final product is a collection of selected colours with a distinct look and feel, free of harmful substances such as lead and barium. The "Ignorance is Bliss" project aligns with the principles of circularity and offers a blueprint for others to adopt circular business models. By reusing waste and reducing the need for natural resources, this project is a shining example of how waste can be transformed into a valuable resource.
Climate Change is a significant contributor to global warming and loss of biodiversity, leading to natural disasters, rising sea levels, and changing ecosystems. Industries have a major role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change through better waste management. Design can play a significant role in promoting better waste management and reducing the impact of climate change.
‘Theo Pouw’ soil remediation company, based in the Netherlands, generates around 30.200 tonnes of various metal waste per year. Partly it is utilised as secondary building materials for infrastructure engineering works and other purposes. Although, the big part is not recycled and stored in depots or transported to dumpsters. Antaviliai water treatment plant, based in Vilnius, Lithuania (responsible to supply drinking water for half of the capital’s residents), generates around 5 tonnes of iron sludge each month. Similarly, the Netherlands has around 100 water production locations that produce iron residuals of comparable amounts. ‘AquaMinerals’, based in the Netherlands develops circular applications for waste within the water sector. As an example, they established a way to reduce arsenic concentrations in drinking water by using pellets made from iron residue. However, such iron by-products are generated continuously and more novel solutions are needed. Iron-rich sludge from the drinking water industry is usually non-hazardous. Iron is easy to recycle as it can be separated magnetically from the waste stream.
Recycling various metal and mineral waste, such as in the 'Ignorance is Bliss' project helps to reduce the use of natural resources by contributing to lower levels of carbon emissions, less water pollution, less mining waste and decreasing energy consumption in order to produce more metals and minerals from virgin materials.
