Gustav Winsth -"DIO"
Gustav Winsth, a freelance designer based in Stockholm, is renowned for his exploration of contemporary aesthetics, often through the lens of radical design. His possessions have consistently undergone customisation. Using techniques such as painting, adding stickers, and modifying components, he strives to imbue them with a unique, bold identity. His design practice reflects this inclination, and with his background in mechanical engineering, he draws inspiration from various manufacturing methods and materials, shaping them to convey his distinctive artistic language through customisation.
Gustav studied at the Stockholm-based Beckmans College of Design. For his examination project, he created the "DIO" shelf, resulting from an exploration of sneaker aesthetics, focusing on shapes, materials, and the underlying subcultures that form its foundation. The "DIO" shelf departs from contemporary minimalism, establishing a radically modern expression through the geometric shapes of its feet. These shapes are crafted from recycled rubber granulate, while the rest of the shelf is made from anodized aluminium.
​"My work draws a lot of inspiration from the world of fashion and contemporary or future architecture, with a specific material or manufacturing technique often serving as the starting point" ​- Gustav Winsth in the Swedish magazine Elle Decoration​
​
The "DIO" shelf builds upon and expands the positive trend of incorporating granulated waste material in the production of sneaker soles. By using recycled rubber granulate as the primary material for casting complex geometries and exposing the raw waste, the shelf achieves a climate-smart aesthetic. The bold and adventurous aesthetic of sneakers, with their emphasis on volume, colour, and material, inspires this design. When these elements are applied to furniture, the result is an expressive piece, essential for creating an inspiring and personal home environment.
​
The rubber granulate Gustav used is not from recycled tyre rubber, but his creation can, in practice, be made with granulate derived from recycled tyre material.
