
This is Urine
Tiles and dishes using human urine
14 May 2019
“This is urine” is a project that explores the value of urine by uncovering its potential new roles within the society. Unlike the common belief shared in modern society, urine has been widely used for many purposes in pre-industrial society, such as planting, cleansing, therapeutic medicine, whitening teeth and tanning leather.
Urine consists of over 3,000 components
Due to changes in technology and lifestyle, our perception of urine has been changed negatively. However, urine contains valuable components, such as water, ammonia, urea, minerals. There are researchers in various fields, such as Bill Gates and NASA, that are looking into human urine as a source that can be turned into drinking water or biofuel. For them human urine is a promising material for the future, as it is a readily available resource produced in vast amounts by a rapidly growing population.
“Today, over seven billion people populate our planet, which means on average around 10.5 billion litres (2.8 billion gallons) of human urine is produced and wasted each day.” (source: ‘Power from Urine: Reimaging the Future’, Government of India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.)

image: Urine Tiles
Si Nae Kim behind this work investigates the potential of the inorganic components in urine-minerals – as an alternative resource to glaze in the ceramic industry, which normally uses metal oxide glazes that have the potential to cause metal poisoning. Her first work was presented as a ceramic collection called Urine Ware, that featured a series of vessels inspired by the shape of the human bladder and laboratory flasks. She is currently developing a range of stunning colour palettes that strongly challenge our concept of urine.
contact information
Si Nae Kim
email: snpooh44@gmail.com
image: Si Nae Kim, Seoul
I will Rise – Vegan Sneaker
24 January 2021
The fair produced, sustainable and vegan "I WILL RISE" sneakers by designer…
Ceramic Foam
31 July 2019
Ceramic Foam is a fascinating material characterized by its airiness, its open…
Thumbsat – Shape memory polyurehane for self-assembling products
19 April 2016
A satellite-like space station for experiments in space is currently being…
3D printed wooden windows from Sweden
5 January 2020
In October 2019, NorDan was the first window manufacturer in the world to…
IGNIS – Light from waste heat energy
12 August 2020
The availability of affordable, independent and, above all, clean electrical…
Revolve Air foldable wheelchair
17 February 2021
Under the name "Revolve Air", Andrea Mocellin is presenting a wheelchair which…
BladeBUG maintenance robot
26 January 2021
The British company BladeBUG has developed a six-legged robot over the past few…
Xarvio – Digital Farming
8 January 2021
BASF Digital Farming GmbH has received the renowned Crop Science Award for the…