Limited Edition Tableware: 500 Pieces Each, Worldwide

The Coca-Cola contour bottle was created in 1915 by Alexander Samuelson and Earl R. Dean of the Root Glass Company in Indiana, USA. With the requirement that it be "identifiable as a Coca-Cola bottle even by touch in the dark," the bottle's current shape was finalized in 1916 and began its use in America. In Japan, since Coca-Cola began domestic production in 1957, it has been continuously sold to this day.

The "Coca-Cola Bottleware" original tableware series was developed based on the concept of "Sustainable Lifestyle + Design," an initiative originating in Japan. The design was handled by nendo, a design office with high acclaim both domestically and internationally. While maintaining a simple form, the details retain the essence of the contour bottle, a symbol of Coca-Cola. Each piece is carefully hand-blown by Japanese glass artisans, resulting in textured items that evoke a sense of warmth.
The contour bottles used as raw material are returnable bottles that are collected, washed, and refilled for repeated use. However, those that degrade in the process and have completed their role as bottles are collected from Coca-Cola bottlers nationwide and are 100% recycled.

nendo, which designed the collection, reflects on this collaboration: "We wanted to create a simple form that leverages the unique greenish glass color, known as Georgia Green, derived from the forests of Georgia, USA, the birthplace of Coca-Cola, and the charm of recycled glass with its fine bubbles and distortions. At the same time, we wanted it to evoke the contour bottle in some way."
As a result, we created bowls and dishes that look as if the top of the bottle was cleanly cut off horizontally, leaving only the base. The knurling on the bottom, a series of ridges applied for shock absorption, is not conspicuous but is a characteristic element of glass bottles that is always visible when holding it to drink. By subtly incorporating this knurling onto the base of the tableware, we aimed to evoke not just the idea of recycled glass circulating, but also the connection of people forming rings with each other, transcending mere function."

The Artisan's Skill: Crushing Contour Bottles, Hand-Blowing, and Polishing

The manufacturing of "Coca-Cola Bottleware" is undertaken by Hokuyo Glass, a factory designated for the traditional Aomori craft "Tsugaru Vidro," and home to many glass artisans, including those certified as traditional craftsmen by Aomori Prefecture. Since its establishment in 1949, the company has produced fishing floats using the traditional "宙吹き" (chu-buki, free-blowing) technique.

For the production of "Coca-Cola Bottleware," the "型吹き" (kata-buki, mold-blowing) method was adopted. This technique allows for faithful reproduction of the design while also imparting the unique texture of hand-blown glass. Recycled glass, melted at a high temperature of 1500 degrees Celsius, is gathered onto a blowpipe. Each piece is then individually hand-blown, with meticulous control over forming temperature and material quantity, adjusting the thickness of the base and sides to create a carefully crafted item.

This product will be exhibited at the main venue of DESIGNTIDE TOKYO 2012 from October 31 (Wednesday) to November 4 (Sunday). Following its pre-sale launch at Cibone Aoyama starting October 31 (Wednesday), it is scheduled to be released in design, interior, and lifestyle shops across Japan, as well as internationally.