From Reclaimed Wood to LOT61: The Story Behind the Furniture
Updated: Sep 4
The idea started with a conversation between ATC Design and Martin from LOT61.
After visiting LOT61 Matcha Bar in Almere, we saw an opportunity to create something unique for the space.
Instead of using new materials, we proposed creating furniture from reclaimed wood, free of charge for LOT61.
The idea was simple:
Create useful furniture → reuse existing materials → inspire people through design.
This became a small collaboration connecting LOT61, ATC Design and Upcyclecentrum Almere.
🧰 Materials & Tools
Materials
Reclaimed wooden boards from Upcyclecentrum Almere
LOT61 logo
ATC Design logo
Tools
Step 1 – Selecting the Reclaimed Wood
The first step was finding suitable reclaimed wood at Upcyclecentrum Almere.
Working with reclaimed timber means adapting the design to the materials available.
Each board has its own character, grain, marks and imperfections. Instead of hiding these details, we used them to give the furniture its unique appearance.
This is one of the principles of upcycled furniture: making something new from materials that already exist.
Step 2 – Designing the LOT61 Chair
We designed a simple and modern reclaimed wood chair specifically for the Matcha Bar.
The wooden boards were measured, cut, sanded and assembled before the final finishing.
The LOT61 logo was incorporated into the backrest, connecting the furniture directly to the location where it would be used.
We also engraved:
Recycle – Upcycle – Inspire
This message represents the purpose of the entire project and encourages visitors to think about the possibilities of reclaimed materials.
Step 3 – Building the Mobile Table
The second piece was a small reclaimed wood table.
We created a compact box-style structure using the same reclaimed timber and added wheels underneath.
The wheels make the table easy to move around LOT61 whenever the interior layout needs to change.
The LOT61 logo was integrated into the front, while the ATC Design branding was added to the side.
Step 4 – Giving Reclaimed Wood a New Purpose
Once the furniture was completed, it was ready to move from our workshop to LOT61 Matcha Bar in Almere Stad.
The journey of the material can be summarized simply:
Reclaimed wood → Creative design → Handmade furniture → New life
Instead of becoming waste or requiring new timber, the reclaimed material became functional furniture for a local business.
Step 5 – The Finished Furniture at LOT61
The completed chair and table are now part of the LOT61 Matcha Bar environment.
For us, this project demonstrates that sustainable furniture and commercial interior design can work together.
Reclaimed wood doesn't have to look old or outdated.
With thoughtful design and craftsmanship, it can become modern, functional and completely unique furniture.
🌱 Why Upcycling Matters
Upcycling is about seeing potential in materials that already exist.
A reclaimed wooden board can become a chair.
Several old boards can become a table.
And with creativity, these materials can become part of a new interior.
This is the philosophy behind this LOT61 project and much of our work at ATC Design:
Recycle. Upcycle. Inspire.
🤝 A Local Circular Design Collaboration
This project brought together three local elements:
Upcyclecentrum Almere — providing reclaimed materials.
ATC Design — designing and building the furniture.
LOT61 Matcha Bar Almere — giving the finished furniture a new purpose.
Together, we created a simple example of circular design in Almere.
🍵 Look Around This Furniture Has a Story
The next time you sit on this chair or use this table, remember that the wood has already had another life.
It was reclaimed, redesigned and transformed into something completely new.
You are not just looking at furniture. You're looking at what upcycling can make possible.
♻️ Recycle. Upcycle. Inspire.
🌍 Read the Story in Your Language
This article is also available in 5 additional languages, so you can discover the story behind this reclaimed wood furniture project in the language you prefer.
Choose your best language below:
I really like the idea of giving reclaimed wood a completely new purpose instead of letting useful material go to waste. The LOT61 furniture project shows how thoughtful design can create something practical and distinctive. It also raises everyday questions like are plastic bags recyclable?