Uzito
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Eco Design | PRODUCT DESIGN / Homeware & Decoration
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):thomas bef studio
Other Contributor(s):William Gitonga (master glass blower), Wendy Atieno (assistant glass blower)
Manufacturer Name:Greenthing Kenya
Distributors Name:Greenthing Kenya
Client Name:Nelly Gesare, Greenthing Kenya
Photo Credit:thomas bef studio
Project Location:Nairobi, Kenya
Design Status:Prototype
Product Description:
The Uzito family of vases encompasses three sizes of mouth blown glass vases, in a design expressing presence through simplicity. The vases become simple yet distinct vessels for flora of all shapes and sizes. The idea of Uzito grew from a specific need; oftentimes, when long top-heavy flowers, such as the Bird of Paradise, are placed in vases they become very unstable and tend to fall over. As these magnificent types of flowers are very common on the continent and beyond, we saw a need to develop a vase particularly for these types of flowers. As we developed this first vase, it became clear to us that Uzito would have to be a product family, to have a coherent look across the different floral arrangements one might want to combine. The Uzito vases are mouth blown by skilled Kenyan artisans from upcycled waste glass. The simplicity of the form of the vases, allow them to display and highlight the materiality and colour of the glass – ever changing depending on the light that meets it. Likewise, the vases set the stage for the arrangement of flowers to be enjoyed to the fullest.
The Uzito family of vases encompasses three sizes of mouth blown glass vases, in a design expressing presence through simplicity. The vases become simple yet distinct vessels for flora of all shapes and sizes. The idea of Uzito grew from a specific need; oftentimes, when long top-heavy flowers, such as the Bird of Paradise, are placed in vases they become very unstable and tend to fall over. As these magnificent types of flowers are very common on the continent and beyond, we saw a need to develop a vase particularly for these types of flowers. As we developed this first vase, it became clear to us that Uzito would have to be a product family, to have a coherent look across the different floral arrangements one might want to combine. The Uzito vases are mouth blown by skilled Kenyan artisans from upcycled waste glass. The simplicity of the form of the vases, allow them to display and highlight the materiality and colour of the glass – ever changing depending on the light that meets it. Likewise, the vases set the stage for the arrangement of flowers to be enjoyed to the fullest.
Product Innovation / Specification:
The main innovation of the Uzito vases is the effortless way, in which the need for a heavy wide base and a narrower opening supporting the flowers, are blended into one form. The strict geometric lines, softened by generous fillets, make Uzito both simple to visually decode and inviting to handle. The three sizes in the family are; the tall, catering for long top-heavy flowers and leaves, the in-between, holding flower bouquets and dense flower arrangements, and the little one, perfect for hand picked garden flowers and tea candles alike. As a product family, Uzito can be curated exactly to the user’s needs; from a couple of long-stemmed flowers to an elaborate journey of floral decadence, varying in shape and size. The vision for Uzito is to have a wide range of colours and patterns to be combined playfully and creatively, resulting in a vibrant but coherent aesthetic.
The main innovation of the Uzito vases is the effortless way, in which the need for a heavy wide base and a narrower opening supporting the flowers, are blended into one form. The strict geometric lines, softened by generous fillets, make Uzito both simple to visually decode and inviting to handle. The three sizes in the family are; the tall, catering for long top-heavy flowers and leaves, the in-between, holding flower bouquets and dense flower arrangements, and the little one, perfect for hand picked garden flowers and tea candles alike. As a product family, Uzito can be curated exactly to the user’s needs; from a couple of long-stemmed flowers to an elaborate journey of floral decadence, varying in shape and size. The vision for Uzito is to have a wide range of colours and patterns to be combined playfully and creatively, resulting in a vibrant but coherent aesthetic.
Product Sustainability Approach:
Every vase in the Uzito family starts with glass waste picked by hand in the Dandora landfill in Nairobi, Kenya. Dandora is East Africa’s largest landfill, declared full 20+ years ago, but has since only continued to grow. The glass for all Uzito vases is picked by a team of female waste pickers, making their living through this job. They are supported to have safe and dignified livelihoods through upskilling and safety/protective equipment as well as having a reliable buyer for the materials they collect. The glass goes directly to the workshop, where it is sorted, cleaned and processed, before being melted and mouth blown into the Uzito vases by skilled artisans. Every time an Uzito vase gets a new home, the same amount of glass has been removed from the Dandora landfill and a small step has been taken towards tackling Kenya’s and the continent’s ever-growing waste problem.
Every vase in the Uzito family starts with glass waste picked by hand in the Dandora landfill in Nairobi, Kenya. Dandora is East Africa’s largest landfill, declared full 20+ years ago, but has since only continued to grow. The glass for all Uzito vases is picked by a team of female waste pickers, making their living through this job. They are supported to have safe and dignified livelihoods through upskilling and safety/protective equipment as well as having a reliable buyer for the materials they collect. The glass goes directly to the workshop, where it is sorted, cleaned and processed, before being melted and mouth blown into the Uzito vases by skilled artisans. Every time an Uzito vase gets a new home, the same amount of glass has been removed from the Dandora landfill and a small step has been taken towards tackling Kenya’s and the continent’s ever-growing waste problem.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
As the entire process of Uzito is facilitated in-house, from waste picking, processing, glass blowing to point-of-sale; value and impact can be created in every step. Uzito supports the art of glass blowing, developing the creative practice, creating employment and allowing a new generation of artisans to learn the craft from master glass-blowers. Ultimately, the Uzito family enables local value creation in every step of the process. As Uzito brings a fresh aesthetic, unique functionality and exquisite craftspersonship to glass objects, it enhances pride and trust in local products. Concurrently, Uzito carries a beautiful and unique real-life story for international markets, appealing through sustainability, dignified livelihoods and a beautiful high-quality product made in East Africa.
As the entire process of Uzito is facilitated in-house, from waste picking, processing, glass blowing to point-of-sale; value and impact can be created in every step. Uzito supports the art of glass blowing, developing the creative practice, creating employment and allowing a new generation of artisans to learn the craft from master glass-blowers. Ultimately, the Uzito family enables local value creation in every step of the process. As Uzito brings a fresh aesthetic, unique functionality and exquisite craftspersonship to glass objects, it enhances pride and trust in local products. Concurrently, Uzito carries a beautiful and unique real-life story for international markets, appealing through sustainability, dignified livelihoods and a beautiful high-quality product made in East Africa.
Profile Description:
thomas bef studio - design, culture, art & regeneration We’re a creative consultancy, based in Nairobi, Kenya. We offer a wide range of creative services, including; - Regenerative design - Human centred design - Participatory workshop facilitation - Design and innovation strategy - Industrial design / product design - Trainings, presentations and lectures - Art and design curation - Crafts and artisan advisory
thomas bef studio - design, culture, art & regeneration We’re a creative consultancy, based in Nairobi, Kenya. We offer a wide range of creative services, including; - Regenerative design - Human centred design - Participatory workshop facilitation - Design and innovation strategy - Industrial design / product design - Trainings, presentations and lectures - Art and design curation - Crafts and artisan advisory
