Designer Transforms £2.5 Million in Banknotes into Innovative Benches

Visitors to the London Design Festival will have the unique opportunity to experience a transformative art installation titled “Reconstructing Value.” This project, a collaboration between designer Saskia Boersma, the design collective Surface Matter, and the material studio Plasticiet, repurposes £2.5 million worth of withdrawn British banknotes into a series of sculptural benches.

The installation challenges conventional perceptions of value while simultaneously reimagining the materials that constitute our everyday environments. The process begins with the careful removal of old banknotes from circulation. These notes are then shredded and reconstituted using a proprietary plasticiser. This technique binds the paper fibers without compromising their texture, resulting in sheets that retain the original currency’s distinct hues and subtle security patterns.

Art Meets Functionality

The benches are designed to evoke the pound symbol (£) through their curved forms, creating a visual representation of monetary flow. This innovative approach allows the act of sitting to serve as a reminder of the value we assign to currency. Located in the museum’s historic Stock Room—once a space for vaults and ledgers—the benches redefine the room’s function, encouraging social interaction in a historically significant environment.

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the project addresses the pressing issue of paper waste. By diverting millions of pounds of banknote paper from landfills, it demonstrates a circular economy model where discarded currency finds new life as functional art. Plasticiet’s low-impact polymer ensures that the benches are not only durable but also maintain a tactile softness that invites users to linger.

The initiative aligns with the London Design Festival’s focus on sustainable innovation, positioning the Bank of England Museum as a laboratory for post-waste design solutions.

Engaging the Public

Visitors will experience the benches as part of a broader narrative that includes lunchtime talks and curated material displays. Surface Matter has designed a series of recycled surface palettes that accompany the furniture, providing a tangible library of sustainable textures inspired by the bank’s historic color schemes. These discussions delve into how value can be reimagined through material choices, inspiring participants to consider how everyday objects can be repurposed in their own practices.

In a city where historic institutions often adhere to tradition, this project illustrates how heritage can serve as a springboard for innovative design. By converting decommissioned currency into public seating, Saskia Boersma, Surface Matter, and Plasticiet not only give discarded paper a new purpose but also provoke a broader conversation about the economics of sustainability.

The benches stand as a powerful reminder that value is not fixed; it can be shredded, reshaped, and revalued through creative intervention. This project not only enhances the public space but also invites deeper reflection on our relationship with currency and the environment.