Dr Tyra  Oseng-Rees BA(hons), PhD, FRSA

Honorary Research Fellow

Dr Oseng-Rees has developed an innovative way of recycling glass bottles to make sustainable, decorative panels for architectural applications. Based in Swansea, Wales, her business Oseng-Rees Reflection is now upcycling recycled glass bottles into a sustainable material that is aesthetically pleasing and suitable for interior and architectural installations, wall panels and tiles. In her self-owned studio, she is using fusion as a manufacturing process, which is considered energy-saving in comparison to re-melt of the glass. This is a unique firing process controls the transformation of the glass into a crystalline material with minimal flaws and a smooth surface texture. The recycled glass material is made of hundred per cent glass, with no additives such as glue, resin or concrete. It can be recycled again after end-of-use and designed to be sustainable, re-producible and suitable for mass manufacturing.

The process starts with collection of end consumer bottles based on their colour and origin. The bottles are then cleaned, crushed and manufactured into large panels, before edge prepping and polishing takes place. Although all waste glass can be reprocessed, individual bottles are selected based on the intended aesthetics of the panel. As recycling schemes are based around large-scale collections, bottles end up being mixed together and crushed before they reach material reclamation facilities. By then the glass has lost, to some extent, its re-sale value for the bottle industry. Oseng-Rees Reflection has overcome this by reaching an agreement with local bars and pubs. Bar staff sort empty bottles into special bins by colour and they are then collected directly from the end-consumer, ready for processing.

Qualifications:

• 2017: Project Management Awareness, TSW Training, Fairwood House, Bridgend
• 2010 Prince 2 Practitioner Exam, University of Glamorgan Commercial Services (UGCS Ltd)
• 2010 Prince2 Foundation Exam, University of Glamorgan Commercial Services (UGCS Ltd)
• 2010 Cwrs Mynediad, Welsh for Adults, WJEC. Entry Level Credit Pathway (Pilot) Examination Unit
• 2009: PhD, Industrial Design, ‘Physical and Aesthetic Properties of Fused Recycled Bottle Glass’  University of Wales, Swansea Metropolitan University
• 2004: BA (hons) Industrial Design, Swansea Institute of Higher Education
• 2002: (HND) Product Design, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA), Norway
• 2000:Psychology and Philosophy, University of Bergen (UiB), Norway
• 1998:Arts Craft and Design Studies, Bodin College, Norway

Academic:

• 2017-present: Founder and Director of Oseng-Rees Reflection
• 2018 External examination of MPhil Research thesis, Edinburgh University, Edinburg College of Art
• 2015-2017:Senior Research Associate, Materials and Process Research, CIRIC, Swansea College of Art, UWTSD
• 2012-2015: Research in Sustainable Design, ISD, UWTSD
• 2009-2012: Senior Research Associate in Fabrications and Cutting Centre, Swansea Metropolitan University
• 2008:Lecturing: Reaching Wider, Art and Design Summer University, Swansea University

Fellow of Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)

Chair of Welsh Norwegian Society www.welshnorwegian.org

Tyra was awarded her PhD in Industrial Design in 2009. The research involved investigating into the physical and aesthetic properties of fused recycled bottle glass. Since her doctorate she has developed her interest to embrace interdisciplinary collaborative work emphasis on circular economy within recycled glass.

She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow to the University open to collaborating with other academic institutions, architects, artists and engineers to progress the development of sustainable research partnerships within circular economy. 

• Entrepreneurship, business start-up, project management 
• Art, engineering, product design and sustainability
• Research, teaching and mentoring
• Glass, ceramic, composite, clay
• Circular economy, interdisciplinary, collaboration, and creative problem solving

• 2017 to present: Making art from recycled glass. Dr Oseng-Rees has developed an innovative way of recycling glass bottles to make sustainable, decorative panels for architectural applications.
• 2018- commissioned to developed and manufactured bespoke reception desk from recycled glass at IQ Campus at Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter, SA1
• https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/press-releases/press-2018/leading-artist-collaborates-with-staff-and-students-to-recycle-glass-into-beautiful-architectural-panels.html
• One minute story about the IQ reception desk from Oseng-Rees Reflection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPy1b2X6VnE
• All five interviews with the story of how the IQ reception desk came together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNn5bKZ9qYU
• www.osengreesreflection.com

Featured in:

April 2019, Welsh Government, Making art from recycled glass. (S. Davies, Ed.) Advances Wales, Journal for Science, Engineering and Technology, (88), pp16. ISSN 0968-7920, https://businesswales.gov.wales/innovation/sites/innovation/files/documents/Advances88_English%20WEB%20VERSION.pdf  

30.11. 2018, Leading Artist Creates Beautiful SA1 Reception Desk Using Recycled Bottled Glass (R.Gregory, Ed.) Wales24/7, https://wales247.co.uk/leading-artist-creates-beautiful-sa1-reception-desk-using-recycled-bottled-glass/  

M.Trondsen, 13.08. 2018, Tyra (38) har doktorgrad i å lage interiørplater av knuste flasker. (F. Øvrewall, Ed.) SaltenPosten, https://saltenposten.no/tyra-38-har-doktorgrad-i-a-lage-interiorplater-av-knuste-flasker/19.17652

16.02. 2016, Dr Oseng-Rees exhibits recycled glass collection in the Turner Museum of Glass. Press release: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2NT, UK, https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/materials/news/osengrees-1.550697

05.07. 2008 BBC news, Pub empties recycled by designer http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7489576.stm

Journal articles:

Oseng-Rees, T., Standen, I., & Ferriz-Papi, J., 2018, An interdisciplinary project using recycled glass as an aesthetically pleasing architectural material, Making Futures: Crafting a sustainable Modernity - towards a maker aesthetics of production and consumption. Vol 5. ISSN 2042-1664

Oseng-Rees, T. & Donne, K., 2015, Innovation and development of a new  recycled glass material. Glass Technology: European Journal of Glass Science and Technology Part A., Vol 56, No 2,  April.pp. 43-51, ISSN 1753-3546

Oseng-Rees, T. E., Donne K. E., Bender, R. & Brown, R. D. H., 2014, Developing design criteria for fused recycled glass tiles, Craft Research, Intellect Journals, Vol 5, No 1, pp. 55–79, ISSN 2040-4689

Conference proceedings: International

Pending: Owen, G., Ferriz-Papi, J., & Oseng-Rees, T., 2018, Using interdisciplinary research project collaborations as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning and teaching

Showcase with low temperature fused recycled glass for a reception desk in the SA1 Waterfront Development, the Wales NEXUS Conference, Swansea, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Halley, D., Oseng-Rees, T., Pagano, L., & Ferriz-Papi, J.A., 2017, Procedure for Impact Testing of Fused Recycled Glass, 19th International Conference on Architectural Engineering and Construction Materials, France

Doolan, S., Oseng-Rees, T., & Ferriz-Papi, J., 2016, An investigation into the effect upon flexural strength of different methods of cutting float glass and sintered recycled container glass, 23rd International Conference on Water Jetting, BHR Group, Seattle

Oseng, T., & Thomas, R., 2011, Innovation and Creativity in Recycling Plastics and Glass, 13^th International Conference on Modern Information Technology in the Innovation Processes of industrial enterprises, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

Williams, O., Oseng, T., Thomas, R., Donne, K., & Powell, D., 2011, The Application of Lean Thinking to the Prototype Design and Manufacture of Motorsport Composite Structures, 13^th International Conference on Modern Information Technology in the Innovation Processes of industrial enterprises, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

Oseng, T., Williams, O., Thomas, R., Donne, K., Williams, D. & Morrow, P., 2010, Quality implications of concept design to prototype manufacture of low cost composite automotive panel, 7^th International Conference, Quality, Reliability and Maintenance (QRM), Swansea, UK

T., Donne, K., Bender. R., & Thomas. R., 2010, Experimental Evaluation of Quality Metrics in the Commercial Use of Recycled Bottle Glass, 7^th International Conference, Quality, Reliability and Maintenance (QRM), Swansea, UK

Oseng, T., Prof. Donne, K., & Bender, R., 2009, Physical and Aesthetic Properties of Fused Recycled Bottle Glass, Making Futures: the crafts in the context of emerging global sustainability agendas, Plymouth, UK, Vol 1, ISSN 2042-1664 257

Brewster, H.,E., & Oseng, T., E., 2007, The Role of Women in Design, Transferring Knowledge within Design, Cumulus, Crossing Boundaries, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany 

Bender, R., Brown, R.D.H., Jenkins, S., McCartan, S. & Oseng, T.E., 2006, Some Properties of Recycled Bottle-Glass, 8^th ESG Conference of Glass Science and Technology, University of Sunderland, UK

Conference proceedings: National 

Oseng, T., Prof. Donne, K., Bender, R., & Thomas, R., 2009, The suitability of using photoelastic stress measurement equipment and four point bend test of fused recycled bottle glass, Society of Glass Technology Annual Conference, University of Lancaster, UK

Oseng-Rees, T., & Dr. Shelley Doolan., 2015, Challenges & critique of project work, INSPIRE’s ‘Education for Sustainability and Global Citizenship’ (ESDGC), Swansea Business School, UWTSD, Swansea

Oseng, T.,E., 2009, Physical and Aesthetic Properties of Fused Recycled Bottle Glass, Parallels and Connections 09, The Institute of International Research in Glass (IIRG), University of Sunderland, UK 

Conference presentations:

Oseng-Rees, T., Ferriz-Papi, J., Standen, I., Owen, G., Burkl, L., Hopkinson, L., & Nantel, A., 2017, Using interdisciplinary research project collaborations as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning and teaching. Showcase with low temperature fused recycled glass for a reception desk in the SA1 Waterfront Development, Wales Nexus Conference 2017, Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea, UK

Oseng-Rees, T., 2016, The aesthetic investigation of a new recycled glass material, SGT Centenary Conference, Society of Glass Technology, Sheffield University

Oseng-Rees, T., 2016, Can an artist be a scientist? My journey, my research, my vision, Glass Conference and the Official Opening of the Glass Beacon, Swansea College of Art, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea

Oseng-Rees, T., 2015, Exploring the Aesthetic Potential for Fused Recycled Glass, Glass Reflections, Glass in the Year of Light, Society of Glass Technology Annual Conference, University of Cambridge

Oseng-Rees, T., 2013, Development of a new architectural material from recycled bottle glass & Knowledge transfer from academia to the industry, iSustain Symposium, Does it pay to be green?, National Waterfront Museum, ISD, UWTSD, Swansea

Bender, R., Dr Brown, R., Prof Donne, K. & Dr. Oseng, T., 2009, Objective assessment of recycled glass for architectural application, Glass Performance Days, Tampere, Finland

Exhibitions

2019 Cornell University, The Mann Gallery, Alberta R. Mann Library, Ithaca, NY 14855: 15^th April-30^th September, “Preservation of Wild Bees - Recycled glass bumblebees”, in PolliNation: Artists Crossing Borders with Scientists to Explore the Value of Pollinator Health, group exhibition.

2017-2018, Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, Pembrokeshire, UK “Preservation of Wild Bees - Recycled glass bumblebees” as a part of Revaluing Pollinators through Arts and Science Collaboration, group exhibition

2017 June-Sept, The National Botanic Garden of Wales, UK, “Preservation of Wild Bees - Recycled glass bumblebees” as a part Revaluing Pollinators through Arts and Science Collaboration, group exhibition 

2016 Mar-Sept, Turner Museum of Glass, Sheffield University, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Portobello St, Sheffield S1 4DT “Recycled glass artefacts”, visiting artist

2010 Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Alexandra Rd, Swansea, SA1 5DZ Swansea, A glimpse Into the Archives, “75^th Anniversary of the Welsh School of Architectural Glass”, exhibiting recycled glass tiles, group exhibition

2006 New Designers, London, “Colour samples developed using recycled glass”, exhibiting ongoing work on recycled glass

2005 New Designers, London “Visualising internal stressed recycled glass samples through polarized light”, exhibiting preliminary results in recycled glass

2004 New Designers, London, “The Guideline”, recycled glass and concrete paving slabs installation

Web www.osengreesreflection.com 

LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyra-oseng-rees/

Facebook: OsengReesReflection

Twitter: @TyraOsengRees

Instagram: osengreesreflection