I'm always working with a variety of materials, and I envisioned several ways to integrate them with the USM frame. My thought process took me in many directions, from poured concrete and moss-covered panels to carpet scraps, stacks of comic books, and various types of wood. For a while, I was intrigued by the idea of using concrete to embed small, found objects like coins, a wallet, cigarette butts, or even gum.

However, when I came across some exotic wood that fit the project perfectly, I went with that alone. My building process was simple: once I had the idea, I brought it to life using a hand-drawn sketch, my extensive experience with USM, and a small amount of trial and error.

The materials used is a teak frame that a friend gave me. It originally came from the recycling station Gen Bygg CPH, which is the same type of reuse business as Ombygg in Oslo.

It had been used in front of an outdoor heat pump but was damaged, cracked, and completely weathered due to a lack of maintenance. When the heat pump was moved to a different part of the house, the frame no longer fit and had lost its function. It was left under the stairs like trash. But I saw the beauty of it, so I rescued it, took it to my workshop, thinking I would find a use for it one day.

In addition to my work at StudioM3, where we often work with rebuilding and restoration, I take on freelance projects as a craftsman. Personally I find it much more satisfying to use repurposed materials whenever I can. Many of my clients are also interested in both the patina and the lower cost, so it's often part of the project brief.

By habit, I'm always on the lookout for usable items, and it's amazing how many great things are thrown away—not just raw materials, but also furniture and sports equipment like bicycles. When I'm in the area, I sometimes stop by the reuse tent at Haraldrud to find good materials for my projects. It's a great, affordable resource.