Upcycle Progress: Lighthouse

Upcycle Project Progress: Building a Lighthouse

Over the past week, I’ve made significant progress on my Upcycle Project, which focuses on creating a lighthouse with a nautical aesthetic using repurposed materials. My goal is to construct a piece that captures the charm of coastal design while emphasizing sustainability by using discarded materials.

Project Plans and Fabrication Schedule

I started by sketching out some design ideas for the lighthouse, considering both aesthetics and structural stability. The basic structure will consist of soda cans to form the cylindrical body, while the base and top sections will be built using old wood. My plan is to incorporate additional nautical elements like rope, glass, and metal accents to enhance the lighthouse’s coastal appearance.

Here’s my fabrication schedule for the upcoming weeks:

• Week 1 – Gather materials, refine design sketches, and finalize structure plan.
• Week 2 – Begin assembly by stacking and securing soda cans, shaping the base, and preparing the wood for the foundation.
• Week 3 – Paint (if needed) and decorate the lighthouse, adding nautical elements (rope, weathered textures, light source).
• Week 4 – Final assembly, touch-ups, and preparing the final design report.

Materials Collected So Far

I have gathered most of the materials for the project, including:

Soda Cans – Collected over a dozen aluminum cans, which will be joined and touched up to form the lighthouse’s main body.
Reclaimed Wood – Found scrap wood pieces that will serve as the base and top section. Some pieces already have a weathered look, which enhances the nautical theme.
Twine/Rope – Repurposed rope from an old project to wrap around the lighthouse for added texture.

Challenges and Next Steps

One challenge I foresee is ensuring that the soda cans are securely attached so they don’t collapse. I’m currently exploring different adhesives or structural supports to reinforce them. Additionally, I may need to experiment with painting techniques to give the lighthouse a slightly distressed, aged look, fitting the nautical aesthetic.

This week, my main focus is on assembling the base and testing can joining methods before moving forward with decorative details.

Sources:

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Upcycled Wreath From Soda Cans

Reclaimed Wood / Barnwood Solid Wood Wall Paneling You’ll Love | Wayfair