How the Cathay x Start From Zero collaboration brings sustainability home

A dream starts from zero 

Start From Zero was born more than 20 years ago, when Dom – who was best known at the time for his street art – set up the studio to create stickers and posters. His love for woodwork gradually took over, however, and he soon dedicated himself to creating remarkable objects using recycled wood. 

“Working with wood is always inspiring,” says Dom. “I enjoy being able to start from scratch and turning them into useful items.” 

He is particularly fond of working with used timber, which he sees as being full of untapped potential. However, upcycling pre-loved materials has its challenges.  

“While each piece of recycled wood is unique and free of charge, processing it is often painstaking, and involves removing old nails, polishing and more.” 

Still, Dom believes the effort is worth it: “Once the wood is treated properly, used vintage wood is actually more stable and less prone to bending or distortion.” 

While you can find recycled wood freely on the street, every piece of wood is valuable in terms of its unique grain and look, which is why Dom has formed such a passion for preserving them. “Upcycling can help raise consumers' awareness on the value of the material and learn to appreciate them on another level,” he says. 

Dom’s innovative spirit has earned him international acclaim, and over the years he has been invited to exhibit his work in Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and Denmark. “I am glad that our creations have allowed my team and I to get the chance to travel the world and broaden our horizons,” he says. 

Celebrating local craftsmanship 

Dom’s interest in travel and the values at the core of Start from Zero made it a natural fit for a partnership with Cathay, the result of which is two exquisite creations: the Cathay x Start From Zero wooden mahjong gift set and Cathay x Start From Zero special edition galley container, both made using recycled wood. 

The handcrafted mahjong set is a nostalgic tribute to Hong Kong. Details like the rounded corners of the box and a sliding lid give the set a retro touch, while the leather handle makes it easier to carry. Meanwhile, the mahjong tiles, styled in Cathay’s signature jade green, feature designs elements inspired by aviation; other accessories such as the dice, chips and the dealer’s plaque, are all handmade from wood and smooth to the touch, adding another layer of elegance to the piece.  

Aviation enthusiasts will be even more delighted with the galley container. Known in the industry as a “KSSU”, these containers are the exact model used by Cathay Pacific’s inflight hospitality crew, which have been given a makeover by Dom’s team at Start From Zero. Each container now comes with sleek wooden finishings and three modular trays, offering a practical and well-designed solution as  a coffee table or nightstand. 

“The project was challenging,” recounts Dom. “It took a year from start to finish, with rounds of design proposals in between. Originally, I wanted to carve each mahjong tile out of wood, but it would have been too heavy, so we decided to use acrylic in the end.” Acrylic being lighter in weight allows for a more enjoyable playing experience, a key design detail that Dom factored into the end product. 

Since launching, both the mahjong set, and the galley container have been popular  items – a testament to the high value consumers place on sustainable practices and artisanal skill. “With rising awareness of the importance of environmental protection and upcycling, we are delighted to add value to pre-loved items through our creations,” says Dom.  

The collection will be featured in the studio’s upcoming catalogue, set to publish this autumn.