BIO-COMPOSITE
COWKA
Cowka redefines sustainability by turning discarded cow dung waste into stunning, functional furniture. Inspired by nature’s cycles of renewal, their mission is to bring eco-conscious design into everyday life.
Material Story
"Bandung – Natural Waste Material: Offering products that are as beautiful as they are meaningful by empowering local communities by creating meaningful employment opportunities that focus on marginalized groups."
Cowka’s story began as a response to a problem. In Bukatanah, a village in Western Java, dairy farming has been a popular occupation for two decades. With a rising number of cattle in the area, waste processing facilities had not been able to keep up with the development and cow waste was starting to negatively affect local water, land and air quality.
With the lead of the visionary designer Adhi Nugraha, the studies about the possibilities of cow dung took a direction towards a composite material. Multiple workshops were held with local residents of Bukatanah village to develop a suitable system for local involvement.
The research had made substantial breakthroughs and a cow dung based composite material was developed! The first products made from cow dung composite were lamps, speakers and pots. The research gained attraction and a selection of the products were exhibited in The Museum of Modern Arts, New York. The development of the material continued, employing local women in the production process.
With the lead of the visionary designer Adhi Nugraha, the studies about the possibilities of cow dung took a direction towards a composite material. Multiple workshops were held with local residents of Bukatanah village to develop a suitable system for local involvement.
The research had made substantial breakthroughs and a cow dung based composite material was developed! The first products made from cow dung composite were lamps, speakers and pots. The research gained attraction and a selection of the products were exhibited in The Museum of Modern Arts, New York. The development of the material continued, employing local women in the production process.
