ReDESK
ReDesk is the origin story of the Will's Wednesday Work brand. Created early in my career while living in rented accommodation, the project was born out of necessity, a frugal mindset, and a deep-seated aversion to waste. When I found myself needing a proper workspace, I looked no further than the bulky polystyrene and cardboard packaging of a newly purchased TV. What began as a makeshift, zero-cost solution became a durable furniture staple, serving as my everyday desk throughout the entire COVID work-from-home period.
Materials & Process
The materials for ReDesk were sourced strictly from my immediate domestic environment, blending organic garden waste with synthetic packaging:
The Legs: Old bamboo canes discovered abandoned in the garden of my London rental flat.
The Surface & Structure: Cardboard and polystyrene foam saved directly from my TV packaging.
The Fixings: Beer bottle caps, string, and wire. This eclectic mix demonstrates that structural integrity can be achieved by combining the compressive strength of polystyrene and cardboard with the tensile strength of wire and string.
Circular Design Philosophy
ReDesk champions the reuse of materials that are traditionally difficult to recycle (like polystyrene). By repurposing the protective packaging of a new electronic purchase into the furniture required to work, the project closed a significant loop within my household. Using mechanical fixings—like wire threaded through bottle caps—rather than adhesives ensures the components can eventually be separated without contamination.
Functionality
Far from being just a concept piece, ReDesk proved its worth when the world shut down. It operated as a fully functional daily driver during the COVID-19 lockdowns, providing the workspace where many subsequent Will's Wednesday Work projects were conceived and documented.
