INTEGRATING INDIGENOUS AESTHETIC KNOWLEDGE IN UPCYCLING USED WOOD FURNITURE (MENGINTEGRASIKAN PENGETAHUAN ESTETIK ORANG ASLI DALAM MENGITAR TINGGI PERABOT KAYU TERPAKAI)

Abstract

Tacit knowledge, as personal and experience-based expertise, plays a crucial role in
upcycling used wood products (UWP), as it encompasses the intuitive skills and
craftsmanship that Indigenous practitioners use to redesign and repurpose materials
creatively. This study examines Indigenous experiences and tacit knowledge in
upcycling used wood products (UWP), focusing on critical aspects like development
time, craftsmanship expertise, and value appraisal. The research aims to analyze
how Indigenous knowledge and experiences can contribute to evaluating and
enhancing the upcycling process for UWP. This study addresses a critical gap in the
upcycling process by focusing on the often-overlooked tacit knowledge inherent in
community-centric upcycling, highlighting the potential of these practices to transform
used UWP. This research contributes to sustainable practices and offers a model for
incorporating Indigenous expertise into upcycling frameworks. The findings offer
potential guidelines for professionals and small makers to integrate Indigenous
knowledge and experiences into effective upcycling. Professionals can refine their
understanding of the upcycling process and elevate the aesthetic experience of their
products. At the same time, small makers can apply these insights to craft distinctive,
sustainable designs that stand out. Future research could develop standardized
guidelines for integrating Indigenous tacit knowledge into upcycling processes and
examine the long-term impact of community-based upcycling on local economies and
environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Upcycling, Used Wood Furniture (UWF), Indigenous Upcyclers, Aesthetic
Experience.