Nestled on the southern shore of Australia’s New South Wales coast is an eyewear workshop which combines modern manufacturing techniques with recycled materials and recovered timber often thousands of years old.
Viega has established itself as a designer and builder of optical and sunglass frames using a range of recycled materials with age, beauty and character. ‘From a young age I had a fascination with creating products out of what was laying around,’ says Viega founder Thomas Gell. ‘Skip forward 30 years and my hands are still getting dirty doing the same things.’
He says over a period of many years he has perfected the process of re-using beautiful materials that would otherwise be wasted. ‘Veiga eyewear is the product of years refining a concept and process utilising natural materials. The timber used in the arms has stood the test of time and each piece has its own story to tell.’
Viega uses wood which has been reclaimed. One source is through a collaboration with Hydrowood, a company that reclaims submerged lumber from Lake Pieman in Tasmania. Huge amounts of tannin-stained timbers are submerged in its waters and these are recovered and re-used. Viega also seeks out characterful Australian hardwoods acquired from various sources including old bridges, fence posts, driftwood and discarded quality pieces that have stood the test of time in harsh conditions. ‘We strip back the aged timber and select pieces with the best character,’ he says. ‘All timber is coated through a week long process of natural oil and bees wax burnishing,’ he says. Other woods are fused together with flax fibre to strengthen the temples as it is a low-eco impact resource and improves the aesthetics and lifespan of the finished product. Stone is also combined with the flax acetate and the recovered woods while Viega offers a bespoke service where it invites customers to choose the materials they would like to see repurposed.
Thomas Gell in Viega sunglasses
‘By using these alternatives not only are we showcasing natural materials, but we are contributing to a sustainable future,’ says Gell. ‘We work alongside these companies, transforming their materials into a functional fashion product – eyewear.
‘Cellulose acetate used for the frames is derived from wastage streams such as pulp extracted from wood fibres. It is 100% bio-degradable and can be composted through an industrial facility. The translucent material is forged with natural pigments and recycled off-cuts of acetate, then rolled out into sheets to be cut, bent and formed into designs. Each sheet produced is different in appearance and contributes to the allure of the design once combined with other agents such as stone, timber, cork and flax fibres.’
Once the materials are in place each frame undergoes a week-long process of shaping, crafting and sealing before being tested. ‘It is a labour of love as we transform these elements into unique products,’ he adds.
Manufacturing takes place in a hub in Thirroul, Australia amid the sea-swept mountains on the south coast of New South Wales. Gell used his experience of retail management and product design to create the hub and from there he is expanding his range of frames made from recycled and sustainable materials which are now being stocked in retailers across Australia, online and around the globe.
The latest addition to the Viega line up is its Paper Collection. This combines recycled wood temples with fronts made from the Richlite material which is used in industries as diverse as aerospace, extreme sports and food preparation. Richlite’s material is made from recycled paper but is robust, impervious and good-looking.
CNC routers at work
‘At Veiga, we try to think outside the box of conventional and look towards new and invigorating ways to develop products,’ says Gell. Using such a robust material gives paper frames a real future. ‘We truly believe that there’s a place for it alongside some of the great and traditional sources such as horn and acetate.’
Once again Viega wants to create striking, beautiful pieces but has the advantage of being sustainable. The aesthetics of the paper collection are characteristically outre with accentuated bold fronts matched with the recovered wood temples brought together with metal bridges and lavish pinned detailing. Gell says the collection will convince customers and professionals alike that paper in eyewear is here to stay and belongs in its own respected space in the industry.
Viega does not set out to make me too frames but desirable ones which are robust and made using green materials and methods. It is not surprising that the ethos of the company drives its creations. ‘The origins and future ambitions are meant to be a homage to simple living and tasteful design, this has taken years to accomplish and is only now coming to fruition. The studio is a micro manufacturing hub utilising computer aided machinery like lasers and CNC (computer numerical control )routers. Our main focus is designing with innovative materials that are derived from waste stream sources such as flax fibre, recycled paper composites and salvaged timbers. Every item designed in our studio is based on the unique materials that embody character through the journey of the various sources.’
He says he wants to build relationships with firms who recycle and repurpose materials in readiness for a time when such practices will be the law. Gell says his vision is to grow Viega around the world with the right partners and eventually branch out into other products using waste stream technology and advanced compostable plastics derived from sources like hemp.
‘It’s an exciting path to be on and I can’t wait to see what lays ahead in this field.’