Ample storage space, sustainable originWith offices becoming ever more paperless, large metal filing cabinets often find themselves out of a job.
Unwanted, while they were manufactured to last for generations. The up to 95% circular ReCabinet series, designed by House of Thol and developed in collaboration with Royal Dutch Ahrend, breathes new life into redundant office furniture.
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Circular design, custom finishEvery ReCabinet starts with the original metal body of a discarded filing cabinet, fitted with new hinges and coated inside and out with a fresh color.
By adding new doors and raising the cabinet with a made-to-fit support, the ReCabinet is ready for a new life in the spotlights. |
In the best scenario, we step in when a company is going through a refurbishment, turning their discarded filing cabinets into new ReCabinets and getting them ready for a fresh purpose in the new office-space of that same company.
We can just as easily source a discarded cabinet via our partner Ahrend or use the one that's been hidden in the shadows in your office or storage room and turn it into a custom hold-all to suit your home- or work environment. |
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Color, material, finish
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After building several ReCabinets with differen measurements and using various materials and finishes, we created a catalogue of possibilities.
Go full circular with doors and support made from discarded ciranol desk tops, upgraded with a pattern, veneer, coat or even full-color print. Or choose classic robust, with solid elements in oak, ash or bamboo. |
ReCabinet is made to order and has a lead time of about 10-12 weeks.
Prices depend on size, material, finish and quantity |
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The ReCabinet story
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A few years ago, we needed more cabinet space in our kitchen.
We wanted a robust, free-standing cabinet with plenty of storage space, that would be sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear we would subject it too. We wanted something spacious and made to last, like the heavy metal cabinets we use in the workshp. Actually, we noticed that those same metal cabinets are falling out of favour in offices everywhere. With schools and offices using less paper, the filing cabinets that were once used to hold the paper archives are made redundant. Since the cabinets are in fact made to last for generations, organizations going through redecoration quite often try to get their employees to take the cabinets home to avoid going through the hassle of dispatching them. |
We decided to use the body of one those redundant cabinets for our own large kitchen cupboard. With a fresh color, wooden doors and fitted base, the cabinet that was once kicked to the curb becomes a useful and robust eyecatcher once more. The very first ReCabinet, made in 2018, is still very much in use in our kitchen. We presented the first production prototype during that years' Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, where it was spotted by Royal Dutch Ahrend. We have since developed te ReCabinet serie to be ready for both use in sustainable interiors as well as large projects aiming for a small ecological footprint. |
ReCabinet FAQ
Where can i buy the Recabinet?
Each ReCabinet is made to your preferences, get in touch to build a custom circular cabinet together.
Every now and then we make a cabinet that can be bought as is, usually for an exhibition.
Check out our Calendar to see if we have anything planned near you.
Every now and then we make a cabinet that can be bought as is, usually for an exhibition.
Check out our Calendar to see if we have anything planned near you.
How sustainable is the recabinet?
The circular aproach means we save on two sides:
1. we find a new use for redundant office furniture that would otherwise be downcycled into metal scraps.
2. we avoid using all the resources that would otherwise be needed to create a new cabinet from scratch.
If you go for doors and a base made of cyranol, the ReCabinet can be up to 95% circular, with the only added materials the new powdercoated color, the hinges and the thin layer of veneer on the cyranol.
1. we find a new use for redundant office furniture that would otherwise be downcycled into metal scraps.
2. we avoid using all the resources that would otherwise be needed to create a new cabinet from scratch.
If you go for doors and a base made of cyranol, the ReCabinet can be up to 95% circular, with the only added materials the new powdercoated color, the hinges and the thin layer of veneer on the cyranol.
How long does it take to make a Recabinet?
Keep a lead time of approximately 10-12 weeks into account.
We have been known to produce cabinets in 4 weeks, but since we work with external partners, there's usually a lot of planning involved into busy schedules.
We have been known to produce cabinets in 4 weeks, but since we work with external partners, there's usually a lot of planning involved into busy schedules.
Why do you re-coat the cabinet?
Most Redundant cabinets are either grey or a washed out cream color, they are also usually coated with a glossy finish and can have small (or large) dents, cuts or other damages.
By using brighter colors and a low gloss finish, the cabinets are literally shedding their office-skin.
Recoating the cabinets is a large portion of the ReCabinet costs though, so if a cabinet doesn't necessarily need a re-coat, we're very open to using it as is.
By using brighter colors and a low gloss finish, the cabinets are literally shedding their office-skin.
Recoating the cabinets is a large portion of the ReCabinet costs though, so if a cabinet doesn't necessarily need a re-coat, we're very open to using it as is.
Where are the recabinets produced?
All ReCabinets are produced locally in the Netherlands.
The doors and base are made with a CnC mill at Samosa in Nijmegen.
Recoating of the cabinets happens either at Royal Dutch Ahrend or at Gijsen Powdercoating in Purmerend.
Assembling the cabinets is usually done at our workshop in Overasselt. For larger series, the ReCabinets can be finished on site.
The doors and base are made with a CnC mill at Samosa in Nijmegen.
Recoating of the cabinets happens either at Royal Dutch Ahrend or at Gijsen Powdercoating in Purmerend.
Assembling the cabinets is usually done at our workshop in Overasselt. For larger series, the ReCabinets can be finished on site.
Why can't i buy ReCabinet at a store?
Right now, each ReCabinet is made to your personal preferences, meaning it costs too much time and money to accomodate a store-percentage while still keeping the series affordable.
We are looking into working together with stores for ready-made series that can be sold directly in the future.
We are looking into working together with stores for ready-made series that can be sold directly in the future.
In What sizes does the Recabinet come?
The ReCabinets are made with the metal bases of redundant Ahrend filing cabinets.
That means, including the new base, ReCabinets come in the following varieties:
1. 120 cm wide, 46,2 cm deep (excluding handles) and ca 105 cm tall
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2. 120 cm wide, 46,2 cm deep (excluding handles) and ca 225 cm tall
That means, including the new base, ReCabinets come in the following varieties:
1. 120 cm wide, 46,2 cm deep (excluding handles) and ca 105 cm tall
and
2. 120 cm wide, 46,2 cm deep (excluding handles) and ca 225 cm tall
Is it possible to have my own cabinet refurbished in this method?
Yes, definitely!
If your cabinet is suited for the goal, we are more than happy to use that as a base.
The smaller we can keep the circle, the better!
Keep in mind though, this might not be a lot cheaper, since we'd have to change the drawings to fit the measurements of your cabinet.
That said: using your own redundant cabinet, means you do have a great circular story to tell!
If your cabinet is suited for the goal, we are more than happy to use that as a base.
The smaller we can keep the circle, the better!
Keep in mind though, this might not be a lot cheaper, since we'd have to change the drawings to fit the measurements of your cabinet.
That said: using your own redundant cabinet, means you do have a great circular story to tell!
MISSING A QUESTION?
Get in touch and we're happy to help!
In fact, by getting in touch you'll also be doing us a favour, since we can add your question to this list.
In fact, by getting in touch you'll also be doing us a favour, since we can add your question to this list.
Other House of Thol designs
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