In recent times, there has been a growing awareness of the crucial need to manage waste. Consequently, various products made from recycled or upcycled materials have been making their presence in the market. Amongst these eco-friendly solutions include W Tiles, a Surabaya-based venture, born from the founder’s deep concern regarding construction and production waste.
Story by Vira Tanka | Photos by W Tiles
Managed by Rayner Stefanoline, a soon- to-be architect, W Tiles serves as the answer to the waste management issue W Line is facing. W Line is a company established by Rayner’s parents, Stefanus and Stephanie Wijaya. Remarkably, around eighty per cent of W Line’s waste, primarily composed of lightone, finds a new lease of life in the form of W Tiles products. “The idea of producing W Tiles has been with us for about a year. After numerous trials, errors, and extensive discussions, we finally decided to launch it in July 2023,” Rayner explained.
The versatility of W Tiles is evident in its suitability for both indoor and outdoor applications. Proven to withstand various weather conditions, these tiles are akin to stone in terms of aesthetics, but they are lighter, moss-resistant, low-maintenance, and resistant to colour fading. Furthermore, they can be painted with wall paint, providing the flexibility to achieve rustic and other effects. Some architects prefer to leave them in their natural state for a more organic appearance.
As for the pattern, W Tiles can accommodate virtually any design request. “We rarely encounter difficulties in producing the tiles, as they are created with our state-of-the-art CNC machines. Most of our products are customised based on our customers’ preferences. The square pattern is the most frequently requested, as it complements the majority of architectural and interior design styles. Nevertheless, we are open to any challenging requests, as we are passionate about producing unique and unconventional designs,” Rayner said eagerly.
W Tiles offers its products in compact sizes, typically not exceeding 30x60 cm2. However, for special occasions, they can create larger installations. One notable instance was during the CACTACEAE exhibition, which marked the launch of BK Studio X Saniharto’s new collection. “The concept was named ‘W Topia,’ inspired by my favourite musician, Travis Scott’s latest album, ‘Utopia.’ Although the album’s launch at the Pyramid of Giza was canceled, the idea remained etched in my mind, and I felt it aligned perfectly with the CACTACEAE theme, revolving around cacti and the desert. Our installation was a depiction of temple ruins in Egypt,” Rayner enthusiastically explained at the exhibition.
With its youthful vigour, W Tiles has ample room to grow. When asked about the company’s future, Rayner responded with enthusiasm, saying, “We aspire to export our products on a global scale to contribute to the worldwide go-green architecture movement!”