KelpWorks:
Exploring Seaweed as a Sustainable Material
Thesis Project, Independent | Glasgow School of Art, June 2024
Prize for Ecological Innovation – The Glasgow School of Art
Exhibited at:
GSA Degree Show, June 2024
New Designers, July 2024
Green Grads, November 2024
Prize for Ecological Innovation – The Glasgow School of Art
Exhibited at:
GSA Degree Show, June 2024
New Designers, July 2024
Green Grads, November 2024
Project Overview
KelpWorks investigates the potential of "seaweed leather," a biomaterial derived from locally abundant Scottish kelp, as a sustainable alternative for temporary event structures. These structures are often made from finite synthetic materials that follow a “take-make-waste” path, where materials are discarded after a single use, ending up in a landfill, incinerated, or in the sea. 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. Made from compostable materials, the pavilion creates a circular system, returning nutrients to the soil instead of producing waste.
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. 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:
Through these experiments, I gained a deeper understanding of how seaweed leather could be adapted for real-world uses.
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.
Seaweed leather offers a compostable, sustainable option for event structures, paving the way for a future where temporary events truly use temporary materials.
Key Takeaways
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. 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
Through these experiments, I gained a deeper understanding of how seaweed leather could be adapted for real-world uses.
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.
Seaweed leather offers a compostable, sustainable option for event structures, paving the way for a future where temporary events truly use temporary materials.
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 waste.
- The project showcases how circular systems and natural materials can redefine how we build, create, and sustain temporary spaces.