In 2025, Elmes Union Japan initiated a renewed research and development programme to explore how bio-waste can be transformed into refined, reusable materials for product design. At the centre of this effort is Jakku, a handle originally designed by Indonesian designer Eko Priharseno of Aedi Design Bureau, a studio recognised for its thoughtful, material-driven approach to interior design in Jakarta and its growing international presence.
This year marks a pivotal step: the Jakku handle is being reimagined using recycled compounds derived from coffee, tea, and cocoa waste. These materials offer more than sustainability—they carry a natural warmth, muted tones, and organic irregularities that traditional resources cannot replicate. By adopting them, the project aims to create elements that feel both contemporary and grounded, reflecting a new ethos of circular thinking.
This year, the Aedi DB team, led by Eko Priharseno, travelled to Japan to visit Elmes Union’s headquarter in Osaka. The visit offered a firsthand view of the initial mock-ups, insights into the scientific process behind waste transformation, and open conversations about how discarded by-products can be engineered into durable, functional components. The prototypes are still evolving, yet already demonstrate a promising alignment with the handle’s original design intent.
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared belief that design must act with empathy. As Priharseno reflects:
“What we’re trying to do with Jakku is simple: take a small idea and give it purpose. Turning waste into material won’t change the world overnight, but it teaches us to design with empathy — for people, for resources, and for the future that depends on them.”
Jakku by Elmes Union Japan remains a testament to this mindset—designed proudly in Indonesia by Eko Priharseno, crafted with precision in Japan. With its global distribution and refined Japanese manufacturing, Jakku reinforces how Indonesian design can engage the world through thoughtful innovation.
This initiative signals a broader shift: a future in which designers and makers share responsibility for shaping more conscious material cycles. By turning everyday waste into elegant, usable elements, Jakku invites the public to consider how small, well-considered steps can create meaningful impact—quietly, responsibly, and with purpose.
This collaboration, made possible through the longstanding partnership between Elmes Union and Habitus Concept, reinforces how shared values and cross-cultural craftsmanship can bring meaningful innovations to life.
