Thoughtfully Made for Young Minds
Earlier this year, digital product company Calibo approached Maarpu with a question: could we build dining and computer tables for the students of the 114-year-old Gandhi Municipal School in Vijayawada using recycled plastic waste? What began as a routine project soon transformed into something much deeper.
Client
Calibo
Year
2026
Design Portfolio
Public Furniture
Type of Work
Product Design
Material Transformation
At first, the process felt routine. Emails moved back and forth. We gathered room measurements, discussed sizes, and finalised materials - recycled plastic sheets mounted on mild steel frames.
But we are based in Hyderabad. Before starting production, we decided to visit the school. We wanted to see the space, feel the atmosphere, and understand what this furniture would become part of.
The visit changed everything.
A 114-Year-Old School
Gandhi Municipal School sits in the heart of old Vijayawada, where busy streets still carry the rhythms of another time. The school is 114 years old. Its weathered walls and shaded corridors hold generations of dreams, friendships, and childhood memories. Morning assemblies, chalk-dusted classrooms, and laughter drifting in with the Krishna River breeze seem to linger in every corner.
We felt the energy of the children the moment we walked in. Their excitement, curiosity, and openness shaped everything that followed.
From Waste to Wonder
After visiting the school, we were inspired by the vibrant energy of the children. We calculated that the project would require 1.2 tons of discarded plastic sourced from rejected pharma bottles, shampoo containers, and beverage caps. Once cleaned and processed, these broken fragments revealed surprising strength and a beautiful blend of blues, yellows, and whites.
We manufactured:
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45 dining tables with integrated seating for 180 students.
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8 computer tables.
To accommodate the school's limited space, we designed integrated benches that fold neatly under the tables, creating wider aisles and allowing for easy cleaning.
The project wasn't without its hurdles. One day before dispatch, heavy rains halted the metal powder-coating process in Hyderabad, threatening our tight deadline. However, the factory owner and her team stepped up, working early the next morning to finish the frames just in time for the transport trucks.
The Hall Comes Alive
When the installation team arrived at the school, the headmaster sent students to help. Soon, the assembly hall filled with children who immediately claimed ownership of the space, testing the folding benches, running their fingers over the smooth surfaces, and laughing with excitement.
During the inaugural gathering, parents and alumni looked on with pride as the headmaster revealed that their colourful new furniture was made from 1.2 tons of rescued landfill waste.
"Plastic itself is not the problem. Human behaviour and poor systems of disposal are."
When handled responsibly, waste can return with beauty and purpose. At Gandhi Municipal School, we didn’t just deliver furniture—we helped create a space where children feel seen, valued, and proud.
