Negotiating Boundaries
Negotiating Boundaries, reimagines the future of architecture by addressing the urgent need to harmonize human-built environments with natural ecosystems. It challenges conventional construction norms by proposing a design philosophy that embraces natural processes like erosion, succession, and sea-level rise. By considering non-human beings as integral participants in the design process, this concept seeks to create resilient, adaptable, and ecologically integrated habitats that promote co-dependence between humans and the environment.
The project innovatively departs from rigid, human-centered construction methodologies by introducing an adaptive design approach that incorporates natural phenomena into the fabric of the built environment. The use of Seacrete exemplifies this forward-thinking philosophy. Seacrete not only replaces environmentally damaging materials but also dissolves over time, contributing to dynamic, living landscapes. One of the architectural applications we envision is a tidal pool that serves as a metaphor for the gradual integration of human-built structures with the natural environment. This tidal pool showcases the material’s transformation over time, highlighting its role in supporting biodiversity, serving as nursery grounds, and providing coastal protection. This approach embodies a new material culture rooted in ecological consciousness, positioning Studio Lotek as a pioneer in nature-inclusive design and in the movement toward designing for the symbiocene.
Negotiating Boundaries has the potential to transform how we live by fundamentally altering our relationship with the natural world. By designing habitats that evolve with natural processes, the project fosters a symbiotic relationship between humans and non-humans. As sea levels rise, these structures will adapt, providing new habitats for marine life and promoting biodiversity. This shift towards eco-social design could inspire a new generation of architects and builders to prioritize ecological balance, leading to widespread adoption of regenerative practices.
Making process
Seacrete Mixture Composition:
The core material used in these projects, called Seacrete, is a sustainable composite that blends natural marine resources—primarily seashells and seaweed. The base of the mixture is composed of seashells, predominantly oyster and mussel shells, which are processed into varying grain sizes, ranging from full pieces to fine powder. This variability in texture is essential for achieving different structural and aesthetic properties.
For binding the seashell aggregate, alginate is used—a biopolymer derived from brown seaweed such as Laminaria, Macrocystis, and Ascophyllum. Initially, the alginate was self-produced through a cold extraction process to preserve its natural qualities. However, for projects requiring large volumes, such as Negotiating Boundaries, commercially available food-safe alginate made from kelp is incorporated to meet material demands while maintaining the project’s environmental ethos.
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.
Ingredients
The typical Seacrete mixture consists of:
65% seashells (a blend of varying grain sizes and powder),
30% water, and
5% alginate.
This combination results in a strong, lightweight material that retains the organic textures and qualities of its natural components, making it both eco-friendly and adaptable for various forms of creative expression.
Credits
Lotte Wigman, Ludo Poot