Parley presents Plasticity

Parley is proud to present Plasticity, an installation by Italian architect Niccolo Casas for a new, eco-innovative architecture. At 3.6 meters high, it is the largest structure ever to be designed with Parley Ocean Plastic®, a material created from upcycled marine plastic waste intercepted from remote islands, beaches and coastal communities. The work was 3D-printed by Spanish design brand Nagami and initially unveiled at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia.

Plasticity is a symbol of change demonstrating how harmful, indestructible plastics can be transformed through digital technologies and be reborn as light and complex architectural constructs, capable of generating new spatial articulations and ecologically meaningful actions. It is an expression of a vision for a new future in architecture and design, and an invitation for all industries and individuals to join in a Material Revolution and the movement to protect the oceans.

“Together with Parley for the Oceans and Nagami, we are committed to a joint effort with the aim of showing a vision of how architecture can be designed and built in the future but in particular, of how architecture can become an instigator and activator of circular economy. Plasticity is the avant-garde architectural example of what can be done with intercepted plastics from ocean cleaning activities.”

Niccolo Casas, Principal and Founder of multi-disciplinary practice Niccolo Casas Architecture.

The sculpture, Plasticity, is a symbol of change that underlines the importance of a radical shift in the way we produce products and structures, now, for the future of our planet. The partnership represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries and calling in more industries to join us in a global Material Revolution.

The term ‘Plasticity’ comes from the syncretism of ‘plastic’ and ‘sustainability’. It refers to projects and initiatives related to the re-use and conversion of ready-made plastics. The piece aims to highlight the notions of transformation and conversion. It is the scientific property of a material to deform, undergoing permanent twists, acquiring new forms and properties. In architecture, as in art, the term refers to the quality of a work to freely articulate in space. Plasticity could be interpreted as the capability of a material to transform itself by acquiring new characteristics and dimensions through a process of identity redefinition.

Casas, Parley and Nagami are committed to showing a vision of how design and architecture can become instigators of a circular economy, one that works in harmony with the ecosystem. The work is on display at the V&A as part of the London Design Festival through October 2nd, 2022.