Shigeya Miyata upcycles Honda Vehicle Parts for pause series
Shigeya Miyata’s pause is a series of functional objects that upcycle discontinued Honda motorcycle components by casting them in concrete. The project explores the relationship between motion and stillness by deliberately immobilising parts originally engineered for movement. Through this process, mechanical elements are removed from their original context and reintroduced as domestic objects with new functions.
Automotive and motorcycle components are typically designed to operate in motion, while concrete acts as a static material that supports and contains structural systems. In pause, these opposing conditions are brought together by embedding precision-engineered parts into a solid concrete base, halting their original purpose and allowing alternative uses to emerge. Once fixed in place, components shift from concealed mechanical systems to visible elements, highlighting their material qualities, manufacturing accuracy, and formal characteristics.
all images courtesy of Shigeya Miyata
The project repositions motorcycle parts as everyday objects, including mirrors, vases, pen holders, and photo frames. Each object is produced by hand, with designer Shigeya Miyata overseeing the entire process from mould development to final casting. The series was developed as part of uppar, Honda’s upcycling initiative, which focuses on repurposing discontinued vehicle parts for non-automotive applications as part of a broader sustainability effort.
Due to the limited availability of the original components, all objects are produced in small editions. The mirror is available in two editions using VT1300CX parts, while the vase is produced in eleven editions made from CBR250RR components. The pen holder and photo frame are each limited to three editions, both created using RC213V-S parts.
Positioned between design and art, pause examines how value, function, and material identity can be redefined through stillness. By suspending motion and reframing engineered components within a domestic context, the project proposes an alternative approach to reuse that emphasizes material continuity, precision, and reinterpretation.
project info:
name: pause
designer: Shigeya Miyata | @shigeya_miyata
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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