KelpWorks
Category: Furniture
Competitions: Home Competition 2025
KelpWorks investigates the potential of "seaweed leather," a biomaterial derived from Scottish kelp. I envisioned kelp to be used as a sustainable alternative to the synthetic textiles that are used for temporary event structures. Synthetic materials follow a “take-make-waste” path, where materials are discarded after a single use, ending up in a landfill, incinerated, or in the sea. Kelp on the other hand follows a circular model. The material has similar capabilities it provides shade and shelter, it can be printed on or laser engraved into to show custom designs, however it has a distinct natural aesthetic that reacts with natural light whilst being completely biodegradable and compostable enriching the soil with nutrients as it decomposes, a completely regenerative material. Temporary events, Temporary materials! In collaboration with seaweed experts and event organisers, I designed and built a section of a modular, scalable pavilion that serves as a multi-functional social space. This work showcases just one of seaweed’s many applications and demonstrates how temporary structures and events can benefit from biomaterials, reducing waste and advancing sustainable design. Material Research and Development: The KelpWorks project began with extensive material research, exploring indigenous knowledge and native relationships to kelp . Through hands-on experimentation, I discovered the unique qualities of seaweed and the challenges of working with it. Seaweed grows rapidly, sequesters carbon, absorbs pollutants, and produces oxygen. It thrives in oceans around the world, provides vital habitats for marine wildlife, and grows naturally without the need for fertilisers, pesticides, land use, or deforestation. Regenerative biomaterials like seaweed are sensitive to their environment and require specialised care, unique processes, and in-depth material knowledge to scale up for industrial use. Material Capabilities: Printable and laser-engravable for custom designs Sewable, like traditional textiles, allowing flexible applications Reactive to natural light creating a distinct natural experience Why Temporary Events Need Temporary Materials: “Outdoor events in the UK produce over 25,000 tonnes of waste annually.” During field research, conversations with event organisers revealed that while efforts are made to reduce consumer-related waste, little attention is given to the waste generated by construction materials. This project identified a clear opportunity to replace synthetic textiles, one of the largest waste streams at events, with seaweed-based alternatives. Key Takeaways: - KelpWorks highlights the potential of seaweed as a versatile biomaterial for sustainable design. - Seaweed leather offers a scalable, eco-friendly solution for temporary event structures, minimising synthetic waste. - The project showcases how circular systems and natural materials can redefine how we build, create, and sustain temporary event spaces.
