This laundry benchtop looks like stone. But it’s actually 100% recycled plastic.

My mate Wade Southgate is an architect. He designed and built his own home. And for his laundry, he used Critical.'s Kohu Cleanstone as the benchtop.

And it looks incredible.

Design-wise, I love the selection of warm materials from timber to pink tiles to warm painted walls. Feels really cozy. And what’s underneath it tells a bigger story.

One about waste. Carbon. And better choices.

Because Cleanstone is made from 100% recycled plastic. It’s silica-free, unlike many engineered stone benchtops. It doesn’t warp or swell in damp spaces. It’s fully recyclable at the end of its life

This panel was a DIY job, installed with standard tools (no disrespect Wade 😅) No special equipment. No complications.

Just a clean, tight finish—paired with timber cabinetry and pastel pink tiles.

80% of interior renovations still go to landfill within 10 years. We don’t talk about that enough.

Benchtops are part of the problem—but they don’t have to be.

If you’re working on a home or a project, here’s a question to ask:

What will this space look like in 10 years?

And what happens to the materials when it’s replaced?

If your working on a renovation job, I'd love to help.

Jump on criticaldesign.nz or flick me a message.

Can't wait to see what you build with it next whānau!

#criticaldesign #foryoupage #viral #newzealand #auckland #podcast #zerowaste #sustainability #sustainable #sustainabledesign #circulareconomy #ecolnnovation #interiordesign #lowcarbonliving #greenbuilding #sustainableliving #plasticrevolution #fitoutdesign #publicarchitecture #aotearoadesign #materialinnovation #placemaking #recycleplastic #newzealanddesign #architecturalinnovation #futuredesign #designforchange #cleanstone #lowcarbon #plasticrecycling #lowcarbonmaterial #netzero