Recycled China is a design team formed by Jeffrey Stephen Miller and Thomas Schmidt. Once based in Beijing and now in the U.S., the studio transforms discarded ceramics and other industrial materials from across China into tiles and design objects. The name Recycled China reflects both our material focus on ceramics (“china”) and the geographic context of our work, embodying the intersection of tradition, reuse, and global exchange that informs our design process.

We are deeply inspired by and committed to honoring the rich and diverse traditions of ceramics in China—drawing on this legacy as we explore new forms of sustainable design. Our practice approaches sustainability as a cultural imperative, investigating how material cycles connect to broader patterns of use, history, and meaning. Bridging sculpture and design, our team creates work suited for both interior and exterior applications—giving new life to surplus materials sourced from factories, workshops, and demolition sites across the country.

Architecture Usage

Recycled China surfaces are designed for both interior and exterior use. Made from reclaimed materials, they are lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant—offering an aesthetically compelling option for projects that prioritize sustainability.

Exteriors

Recycled Aluminum with factory-discarded porcelain. 

Interiors

Recycled Aluminum with reclaimed brick. 

Recycled China Exhibition

Clayarch Gimhae Musum, South Korea. Curated by artist and educator Jae Won Lee