Rice husk

Regenesis

Saline soils continue to present significant challenges to rice cultivation in northeastern Thailand, particularly in the Thung Kula Ronghai rice fields of Yasothon province. These soils are characterised by drought conditions, sandy textures, elevated salt concentrations, and low levels of organic matter, all of which limit the land’s capacity to retain nutrients and moisture. Even during the rainy season, water remains scarce, and the presence of an alkaline pH further reduces agricultural productivity.

Within these harsh environmental conditions, traditional farming practices rely almost entirely on natural rainfall. In response, local communities draw strength from both environmental cycles and spiritual beliefs. Each year, they take part in the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival, a ritual that invokes Naga, the mythical serpent believed to govern rain and fertility, expressing their hopes for seasonal abundance and agricultural renewal.

This project seeks to reinterpret the ceremonial rocket by incorporating indigenous rice husks collected from local rice mills and farming communities. By repurposing this material to support the natural cycles of rice cultivation, the initiative promotes a circular and regenerative design approach. It aims to benefit both the local ecosystem and agricultural communities while preserving cultural heritage and protecting traditional rice varieties critical to future food security.

Rice husks are often treated as agricultural waste, frequently discarded through landfilling or open burning due to their resistance to decomposition, low nutritional value, and abrasive texture. However, rice husks contain nearly eighty percent silica, a higher concentration than many other plant-based sources. This property makes them a valuable alternative to conventional silica materials such as quartz and flint, particularly in glazing and ceramics. Through a craft-centered investigation, the artist Kamonchanok explores the unique identity of this material by engaging with its geographical and cultural context. Her process allows the characteristics of place to inform both form and meaning, honouring the landscape from which the material is sourced and to which it ultimately returns.

When processed through pyrolysis, rice husks can also be converted into biochar, a carbon-rich substance that contributes to improved soil structure, moisture retention, and long-term fertility. Returned to the fields following the symbolic act of rocket detonation, rice husk silica and biochar assume roles beyond their material origins. They become regenerative agents, restoring the vitality of the soil and reinforcing the connection between ritual, material, and ecology.

Making process

The process begins with the thermal conversion of rice husks under controlled conditions. Through gradual heating, the husks undergo carbonisation, resulting in two distinct outputs: a silica-rich material suitable for use in ceramic applications and a carbon-based biochar with beneficial properties for soil improvement.

Once separated, each material is processed further to enhance its performance and usability. The silica component offers potential as an alternative to conventional mineral sources in glaze formulations, while the biochar contributes to soil health by supporting moisture retention and improving structure.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.