In the San Marco neighbourhood of Jacksonville, Florida, USA, a new restaurant has opened its doors in a restored Art Deco theatre. Electric Dough Pizza Co. now occupies the former San Marco Theatre, a building that has stood for nearly a century. The venue brings together handmade Roman-style pizzas, local history, and sustainable design. A key material partner in the project is ChopValue, a company that transforms used bamboo chopsticks into durable, high-performance products through a circular microfactory model.

Turning Chopsticks into Furniture

The restaurant’s tables are made from 110,730 recycled bamboo chopsticks. These were collected and transformed by ChopValue. The finished surfaces offer a modern look while helping reduce carbon emissions. According to the company, this reuse of materials has prevented 5,391 kilograms of CO2-equivalent emissions.

Bamboo grows quickly and is often used for single-use items. By turning discarded chopsticks into solid panels, the project shows how waste can become a useful material again.

Keeping the Past Alive

Designers kept parts of the old theatre in the new interior. This helps the space keep its original charm while meeting today’s standards for sustainable design. The project highlights how reuse can add both environmental and cultural value.

This approach can be helpful for interior designers, architects, and hospitality specialists. It shows that combining recycled materials with existing buildings can lead to attractive and responsible results.

Useful for Many Design Fields

The project also offers ideas for product designers and furniture makers. It demonstrates that reused materials like compressed bamboo can work well in high-traffic places. These materials are not only strong and durable, but they also support a more circular way of working.

Urban planners and developers may also find the project useful. It provides an example of how older buildings can be updated without losing their identity, while still meeting modern environmental goals.

Supporting the Circular Economy

As more design professionals focus on reducing waste and carbon emissions, examples like Electric Dough Pizza Co. show what’s possible. The careful choice of materials and respect for the building’s past make this a strong case for circular and sustainable design.

Source & photos: ChopValue