Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
CONQ - Marine biobased materials
CONQ - Marine Biobased Materials for the Built Environment
10 millions tonnes of seashells are discarded as waste each year, despite their high calcium carbonate content.This project collects urban seashell waste from consumption, otherwise discarded as normal waste, and combines it with algae-based biopolymers into a heat-free bioceramic for sustainable construction. By exploring modular design and bioregional value chains, the project rethinks marine waste, aligning with the blue economy to create innovative, eco-friendly building materials.
Germany
Regional
Berlin-Brandenburg
Nordsee
Nordsee
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
2024-12-20
No
No
No
As an individual partnership with other persons/organisation(s)
Overall Aim:
This project transforms marine food waste, specifically discarded seashells, into a sustainable building material. By combining crushed shells with algae-based biopolymers, a heat-free bioceramic is created, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction materials. It promotes circular economy practices and reduces environmental impact by rethinking waste as a valuable resource.
Target Group(s):
-Architects and designers focused on sustainable materials.
-Construction professionals seeking innovative, eco-friendly materials.
-Environmental organizations promoting waste reduction and urban sustainability.
-Urban communities where marine waste can be repurposed.
-Policymakers interested in sustainable development.
Specific Objectives:
-Material Development: Create a bioceramic from seashells and algae-based biopolymers as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials.
-Testing & Evaluation: Assess the mechanical and physical properties of the bioceramic for construction use.
-Modular Design: Develop modular construction systems with varied properties for both structural and aesthetic applications.
-Bioregional Value Chain: Establish local supply chains for marine waste, reducing transportation emissions.
Achieved Outcomes:
-Developed a heat-free bioceramic from marine waste, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable material.
-Ongoing testing of material properties with promising results for durability and performance.
-Exploration of modular designs with flexible material properties for varied applications.
-Established a localized bioregional value chain, supporting sustainability.
The project provides an innovative cladding system, turning waste into a resource and promoting sustainable urban development.
This project transforms marine food waste, specifically discarded seashells, into a sustainable building material. By combining crushed shells with algae-based biopolymers, a heat-free bioceramic is created, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction materials. It promotes circular economy practices and reduces environmental impact by rethinking waste as a valuable resource.
Target Group(s):
-Architects and designers focused on sustainable materials.
-Construction professionals seeking innovative, eco-friendly materials.
-Environmental organizations promoting waste reduction and urban sustainability.
-Urban communities where marine waste can be repurposed.
-Policymakers interested in sustainable development.
Specific Objectives:
-Material Development: Create a bioceramic from seashells and algae-based biopolymers as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials.
-Testing & Evaluation: Assess the mechanical and physical properties of the bioceramic for construction use.
-Modular Design: Develop modular construction systems with varied properties for both structural and aesthetic applications.
-Bioregional Value Chain: Establish local supply chains for marine waste, reducing transportation emissions.
Achieved Outcomes:
-Developed a heat-free bioceramic from marine waste, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable material.
-Ongoing testing of material properties with promising results for durability and performance.
-Exploration of modular designs with flexible material properties for varied applications.
-Established a localized bioregional value chain, supporting sustainability.
The project provides an innovative cladding system, turning waste into a resource and promoting sustainable urban development.
Biomaterials
Construction
Green chemistry
Blue economy
Material innovation
This project aligns with the New European Bauhaus principles by integrating sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion through a participatory, multi-level, and transdisciplinary approach.
Sustainability:
Potentially repurposing several million tonnes of discarded shells annually, the project contributes to climate goals, circularity, and zero pollution. The heat-free, algae-based biopolymer process reduces carbon emissions while creating a bioregional value chain in urban settings like Berlin. This ensures local sourcing, minimizes waste, and fosters an environmentally responsible construction system.
Aesthetics:
The material offers a rich palette of colors, textures, and finishes from different shell species, with gradients, natural patterns, and sensory qualities. The result is a modular cladding system that is both structurally versatile and visually compelling, seamlessly integrating into contemporary architecture.
Inclusion:
We focus on affordability and accessibility by using widely available waste streams, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional materials. Through ongoing research, architects, designers, material scientists, and local communities shape the material’s potential, ensuring its relevance across different cultural and economic contexts.
Working Principles:
Participatory Process: Collaborating with local communities in Berlin to co-design and explore applications, empowering stakeholders.
Multi-Level Engagement: Connecting research institutions, industry professionals, and policymakers for knowledge exchange and practical implementation.
Transdisciplinary Approach: Integrating expertise from architecture, material science, biology, and design, incorporating local knowledge for holistic development.
This project challenges conventional material practices, offering a scalable solution that demonstrates how waste can become a high-value architectural material, setting a precedent for sustainable design globally.
Sustainability:
Potentially repurposing several million tonnes of discarded shells annually, the project contributes to climate goals, circularity, and zero pollution. The heat-free, algae-based biopolymer process reduces carbon emissions while creating a bioregional value chain in urban settings like Berlin. This ensures local sourcing, minimizes waste, and fosters an environmentally responsible construction system.
Aesthetics:
The material offers a rich palette of colors, textures, and finishes from different shell species, with gradients, natural patterns, and sensory qualities. The result is a modular cladding system that is both structurally versatile and visually compelling, seamlessly integrating into contemporary architecture.
Inclusion:
We focus on affordability and accessibility by using widely available waste streams, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional materials. Through ongoing research, architects, designers, material scientists, and local communities shape the material’s potential, ensuring its relevance across different cultural and economic contexts.
Working Principles:
Participatory Process: Collaborating with local communities in Berlin to co-design and explore applications, empowering stakeholders.
Multi-Level Engagement: Connecting research institutions, industry professionals, and policymakers for knowledge exchange and practical implementation.
Transdisciplinary Approach: Integrating expertise from architecture, material science, biology, and design, incorporating local knowledge for holistic development.
This project challenges conventional material practices, offering a scalable solution that demonstrates how waste can become a high-value architectural material, setting a precedent for sustainable design globally.
The project focuses on aesthetic quality and the quality of experience, ensuring the material serves both functional and sensory needs while contributing to a culturally engaging environment.
-Aesthetic Objectives:
Visual Appeal: The bioceramic material offers a range of colors, textures, and finishes from different shell species, creating a diverse palette that delivers visual appeal while creating a new visual language that also tells the story behind the material.
-Modular Flexibility: Designed as a modular system, the material is customizable, supporting creative expression while maintaining structural integrity across diverse applications like facades or interiors.
-Quality of Experience:
Tactile Interaction: The material’s textures encourage human interaction, enhancing the sensory experience beyond just the visual aspect.
-Cultural Relevance: Through community involvement, the material reflects local identity, fostering a connection to place. Its adaptability ensures cultural and regional significance.
-Sustainability as a Value: By repurposing waste, the project promotes eco-consciousness and circular economy principles, integrating sustainability as a cultural value in design.
Exemplary Contribution:
This project combines sustainability and cultural relevance, setting a precedent for circular design. It not only provides aesthetic appeal but also integrates environmental stewardship and inclusive design, offering a model for future architecture.
-Aesthetic Objectives:
Visual Appeal: The bioceramic material offers a range of colors, textures, and finishes from different shell species, creating a diverse palette that delivers visual appeal while creating a new visual language that also tells the story behind the material.
-Modular Flexibility: Designed as a modular system, the material is customizable, supporting creative expression while maintaining structural integrity across diverse applications like facades or interiors.
-Quality of Experience:
Tactile Interaction: The material’s textures encourage human interaction, enhancing the sensory experience beyond just the visual aspect.
-Cultural Relevance: Through community involvement, the material reflects local identity, fostering a connection to place. Its adaptability ensures cultural and regional significance.
-Sustainability as a Value: By repurposing waste, the project promotes eco-consciousness and circular economy principles, integrating sustainability as a cultural value in design.
Exemplary Contribution:
This project combines sustainability and cultural relevance, setting a precedent for circular design. It not only provides aesthetic appeal but also integrates environmental stewardship and inclusive design, offering a model for future architecture.
The project prioritizes inclusion by focusing on accessibility, cultural relevance, and community involvement, ensuring that sustainable building materials benefit diverse communities and contribute to a more equitable society.
Accessibility and Affordability:
- Wide Availability: By using a waste product present in most european cities, most of the material can be sourced regionally, ensuring it is accessible. This local sourcing minimizes transportation costs and environmental impact, making it more affordable and beneficial.
Inclusive Design for All:
- Customizable and Modular: The modular design of the material is adaptable to a range of architectural, functional, and cultural needs, ensuring its suitability for different regions and socio-economic contexts. This versatility ensures that the material can be utilized in diverse environments and be tailored to suit various design preferences.
- Cultural Sensitivity: The project actively ensures that the material reflects regional identities. This makes the design not only functional but also culturally relevant, fostering a sense of connection and belonging within the spaces where it is used.
Inclusive Governing Systems and Societal Models:
- Community Empowerment: Through local involvement in production and application, the project fosters job creation and empowers communities, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable local economies.
Accessibility and Affordability:
- Wide Availability: By using a waste product present in most european cities, most of the material can be sourced regionally, ensuring it is accessible. This local sourcing minimizes transportation costs and environmental impact, making it more affordable and beneficial.
Inclusive Design for All:
- Customizable and Modular: The modular design of the material is adaptable to a range of architectural, functional, and cultural needs, ensuring its suitability for different regions and socio-economic contexts. This versatility ensures that the material can be utilized in diverse environments and be tailored to suit various design preferences.
- Cultural Sensitivity: The project actively ensures that the material reflects regional identities. This makes the design not only functional but also culturally relevant, fostering a sense of connection and belonging within the spaces where it is used.
Inclusive Governing Systems and Societal Models:
- Community Empowerment: Through local involvement in production and application, the project fosters job creation and empowers communities, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable local economies.
Through workshops in Buenos Aires and Berlin, local communities collaborated with architects, designers, and material scientists to explore material applications. Their feedback on aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability ensured adaptability to local needs and cultural contexts. Participants co-developed two implementation models
-A community-driven, open-source approach, enabling citizens to produce and process the material locally.
A commercial-scale integration into existing industrial pipelines for broader adoption.
Community events introduced citizens to circular economy principles, waste reduction, and sustainable materials. By showcasing how marine waste becomes a valuable resource, the project fostered environmental awareness and local engagement in sustainability.
Citizens actively collected, donated, and sorted discarded shells from seafood markets and restaurants in Buenos Aires and Berlin. This grassroots effort helped establish a sustainable supply chain, reinforcing community-based resource management and closing material loops in urban settings.
Citizens contributed to real-world testing in demonstrative settings, experiencing the material’s potential in facades, interiors, and public installations. Their feedback on performance, aesthetics, and usability refined its development. Engagement with craft-based processes allowed participants to explore manual fabrication techniques, blending traditional and innovative methods for material customization and scalability.
Impact
Local engagement ensured the material aligns with regional availability, climate, and cultural preferences, fostering community ownership and long-term viability.
The participatory approach strengthened community ties, provided skills training in sustainable construction and craft-based processes, and encouraged collaborative material exploration.
-A community-driven, open-source approach, enabling citizens to produce and process the material locally.
A commercial-scale integration into existing industrial pipelines for broader adoption.
Community events introduced citizens to circular economy principles, waste reduction, and sustainable materials. By showcasing how marine waste becomes a valuable resource, the project fostered environmental awareness and local engagement in sustainability.
Citizens actively collected, donated, and sorted discarded shells from seafood markets and restaurants in Buenos Aires and Berlin. This grassroots effort helped establish a sustainable supply chain, reinforcing community-based resource management and closing material loops in urban settings.
Citizens contributed to real-world testing in demonstrative settings, experiencing the material’s potential in facades, interiors, and public installations. Their feedback on performance, aesthetics, and usability refined its development. Engagement with craft-based processes allowed participants to explore manual fabrication techniques, blending traditional and innovative methods for material customization and scalability.
Impact
Local engagement ensured the material aligns with regional availability, climate, and cultural preferences, fostering community ownership and long-term viability.
The participatory approach strengthened community ties, provided skills training in sustainable construction and craft-based processes, and encouraged collaborative material exploration.
At the local level, key partners included Bauhaus Earth and the Experimental Foundation, where the project is being developed as part of the Experimental Fellowship. The Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity facilitated public engagement, particularly through events like Berlin Science Week at the Naturkunde Museum and the Matter Festival. The Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin showcased the project in the Matter of South exhibition, engaging designers, architects, and the public. Volk Mitte Restaurant in Berlin provided marine waste, particularly seashells, for the project. BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing engaged through two separate research projects, with potential for further collaboration in exploring seashells as an alternative to limestone fillers and biomaterials as construction resources.
Regionally, oyster farms and waste collectors contributed to establishing a sustainable supply chain for shell waste, supporting circular economy practices. Material scientists from regional universities played a crucial role in refining the bioceramic material, with extensive testing across German universities informing its final design.
At the national level, RWTH Aachen University conducted mechanical testing to assess the material’s viability for construction. At TU Munich, a presentation at the TUM Bioregional Design Lab showcased the project’s potential for bioregional material innovation. Visits to Sylter Royale, one of Germany’s main oyster producers, and AWI Sylt, a marine research facility, deepened understanding of oyster waste management and biodiversity issues, aligning the project with broader environmental concerns.
At the European level, the project was featured in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale as part of the Matter Makes Sense exhibition. European institutions provided funding and validation, enabling the project’s scale and fostering cross-European collaboration for wider adoption.
Regionally, oyster farms and waste collectors contributed to establishing a sustainable supply chain for shell waste, supporting circular economy practices. Material scientists from regional universities played a crucial role in refining the bioceramic material, with extensive testing across German universities informing its final design.
At the national level, RWTH Aachen University conducted mechanical testing to assess the material’s viability for construction. At TU Munich, a presentation at the TUM Bioregional Design Lab showcased the project’s potential for bioregional material innovation. Visits to Sylter Royale, one of Germany’s main oyster producers, and AWI Sylt, a marine research facility, deepened understanding of oyster waste management and biodiversity issues, aligning the project with broader environmental concerns.
At the European level, the project was featured in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale as part of the Matter Makes Sense exhibition. European institutions provided funding and validation, enabling the project’s scale and fostering cross-European collaboration for wider adoption.
The project integrates multiple disciplines to create an innovative and sustainable building material from marine food waste, transforming seashells into a heat-free bioceramic. Each field brought unique expertise, resulting in a holistic and effective approach.
-Chemists optimized the chemical composition of the bioceramic, ensuring the successful bonding of seashells and algae-based biopolymer for enhanced performance.
-Designers focused on the material's modular system, aesthetic features, and adaptability, exploring textures, colors, and patterns from different shell species. They also studied the morphology of pieces for architectural applications.
-Architects integrated the material into real-world projects, ensuring its structural integrity, sustainability, and aesthetic cohesion, while defining its performance characteristics for construction use.
-Marine biologists and conchologists provided essential knowledge on shell properties, ensuring the right species were selected to optimize functionality and sustainability.
-Oyster farm cultivators sourced sustainable shell waste, ensuring a reliable supply and contributing to the circular economy by reusing materials from the seafood industry. They also helped understand shell life cycles.
-Alginate producers provided expertise in algae-based biopolymers, ensuring proper strength, compatibility, and sustainable extraction processes.
This collaboration combined scientific knowledge with creative design, ensuring the material meets functional, aesthetic, and sustainable goals. By grounding the project in local sourcing, it contributes to a circular economy and environmental sustainability, pushing the boundaries of material development for scalable, innovative construction solutions.
-Chemists optimized the chemical composition of the bioceramic, ensuring the successful bonding of seashells and algae-based biopolymer for enhanced performance.
-Designers focused on the material's modular system, aesthetic features, and adaptability, exploring textures, colors, and patterns from different shell species. They also studied the morphology of pieces for architectural applications.
-Architects integrated the material into real-world projects, ensuring its structural integrity, sustainability, and aesthetic cohesion, while defining its performance characteristics for construction use.
-Marine biologists and conchologists provided essential knowledge on shell properties, ensuring the right species were selected to optimize functionality and sustainability.
-Oyster farm cultivators sourced sustainable shell waste, ensuring a reliable supply and contributing to the circular economy by reusing materials from the seafood industry. They also helped understand shell life cycles.
-Alginate producers provided expertise in algae-based biopolymers, ensuring proper strength, compatibility, and sustainable extraction processes.
This collaboration combined scientific knowledge with creative design, ensuring the material meets functional, aesthetic, and sustainable goals. By grounding the project in local sourcing, it contributes to a circular economy and environmental sustainability, pushing the boundaries of material development for scalable, innovative construction solutions.
This project stands out by transforming biomaterials from research into practical application, a challenge that many biomaterial initiatives face. Most projects in this field remain at the tabletop experiment level, rarely progressing to full-scale use in architecture.
-From Lab to Application
While most biomaterials are limited to small-scale studies, this project delivers a fully functional material, ready to be integrated into architectural projects. This practical application sets it apart from typical research-focused endeavors.
-100% Bio-Based, Heat-Free Bioceramic
Many biomaterial projects rely on non-bio components such as synthetic binders or resins, compromising sustainability. This project is innovative by creating a 100% bio-based material using seashells and algae-based biopolymers, eliminating the need for synthetic additives and making it a pure bio-alternative.
-Low-Carbon Production Process
Traditional materials like ceramics and concrete require high-temperature processing, generating significant CO₂ emissions. In contrast, this project uses a heat-free production method, drastically reducing carbon emissions and making it a low-carbon alternative for sustainable construction.
-Modular, Scalable, and Locally Adaptable
Unlike many biomaterials that lack structural versatility, this project’s modular cladding system is customizable, adaptable to different architectural styles and climates, and can be produced locally, reducing transportation emissions and supporting regional circular economies.
-A Methodology for Broader Biomaterial Innovation
Beyond a single material, the project establishes a methodology for developing bio-based materials from various waste streams, promoting future innovation and scalable solutions.
By delivering a bio-based material that combines sustainability, scalability, and real-world applicability, this project sets a new standard for practical biomaterial innovation in the built environment.
-From Lab to Application
While most biomaterials are limited to small-scale studies, this project delivers a fully functional material, ready to be integrated into architectural projects. This practical application sets it apart from typical research-focused endeavors.
-100% Bio-Based, Heat-Free Bioceramic
Many biomaterial projects rely on non-bio components such as synthetic binders or resins, compromising sustainability. This project is innovative by creating a 100% bio-based material using seashells and algae-based biopolymers, eliminating the need for synthetic additives and making it a pure bio-alternative.
-Low-Carbon Production Process
Traditional materials like ceramics and concrete require high-temperature processing, generating significant CO₂ emissions. In contrast, this project uses a heat-free production method, drastically reducing carbon emissions and making it a low-carbon alternative for sustainable construction.
-Modular, Scalable, and Locally Adaptable
Unlike many biomaterials that lack structural versatility, this project’s modular cladding system is customizable, adaptable to different architectural styles and climates, and can be produced locally, reducing transportation emissions and supporting regional circular economies.
-A Methodology for Broader Biomaterial Innovation
Beyond a single material, the project establishes a methodology for developing bio-based materials from various waste streams, promoting future innovation and scalable solutions.
By delivering a bio-based material that combines sustainability, scalability, and real-world applicability, this project sets a new standard for practical biomaterial innovation in the built environment.
This project follows a multi-disciplinary, participatory, and bioregional approach, integrating sustainable material development with community engagement, scientific research, and design innovation. The model is replicated in Buenos Aires and Berlin, ensuring it remains context-sensitive, scalable, and adaptable.
Participatory Process
Community engagement is central. In both cities, workshops, collaborative design sessions, and roundtable discussions involve local citizens, architects, and designers in shaping the material’s functionality, aesthetics, and applications. Communities also participate in marine waste collection, gathering discarded seashells from seafood markets and restaurants, fostering local ownership.
Bioregional Approach
The project utilizes locally sourced marine waste, promoting circular economy practices and reducing transportation impact. A bioregional value chain is established in Buenos Aires and Berlin, where residents collect and sort shells, supporting local economies. This adaptable model can be expanded to coastal and inland cities worldwide
Cross-disciplinary Collaboration
Material development is driven by experts across multiple fields:
Chemists optimize biopolymer formulations for structural integrity.
Material scientists ensure mechanical and durability performance.
Designers develop architectural applications.
Marine biologists assess ecological impact and explore invasive species mitigation.
Oyster farms, restaurants and alginate producers supply sustainable raw materials.
Fabrication & Testing
Using 3D printing and casting, prototypes are developed and tested in both cities. Properties like strength, water resistance, and insulation are evaluated at local labs to meet industry standards.
Knowledge Sharing & Dissemination
The project fosters international knowledge exchange. By creating an open platform for shared insights, it supports the replication of materials and methodologies in diverse territories worldwide.
Participatory Process
Community engagement is central. In both cities, workshops, collaborative design sessions, and roundtable discussions involve local citizens, architects, and designers in shaping the material’s functionality, aesthetics, and applications. Communities also participate in marine waste collection, gathering discarded seashells from seafood markets and restaurants, fostering local ownership.
Bioregional Approach
The project utilizes locally sourced marine waste, promoting circular economy practices and reducing transportation impact. A bioregional value chain is established in Buenos Aires and Berlin, where residents collect and sort shells, supporting local economies. This adaptable model can be expanded to coastal and inland cities worldwide
Cross-disciplinary Collaboration
Material development is driven by experts across multiple fields:
Chemists optimize biopolymer formulations for structural integrity.
Material scientists ensure mechanical and durability performance.
Designers develop architectural applications.
Marine biologists assess ecological impact and explore invasive species mitigation.
Oyster farms, restaurants and alginate producers supply sustainable raw materials.
Fabrication & Testing
Using 3D printing and casting, prototypes are developed and tested in both cities. Properties like strength, water resistance, and insulation are evaluated at local labs to meet industry standards.
Knowledge Sharing & Dissemination
The project fosters international knowledge exchange. By creating an open platform for shared insights, it supports the replication of materials and methodologies in diverse territories worldwide.
The project’s high transferability and replicability stem from several key factors:
-Decentralized Replication
Since shell waste and algae cultivation exist worldwide, this material can be produced locally using regionally available resources. This minimizes environmental impact and supports circular economy principles on a global scale.
-Low-Tech, Scalable Production
Developed with only low-tech processes, the material can be replicated in any context, from high-tech industries to small-scale production facilities. Without energy-intensive kilns or specialized equipment, it remains accessible and adaptable across different economic and infrastructural conditions.
-Bioregional Material Development Methodology
Beyond a single material, this project introduces a bioregional methodology for analyzing and developing new materials from bio-waste. This approach enables regions to create sustainable materials based on their available resources, fostering context-specific innovation and adaptability.
-Modular & Customizable Applications
The modular cladding system is designed for flexibility, allowing adaptation to different architectural styles, climates, and regulations. Its structural and aesthetic qualities make it suitable for facades, interiors, and urban design, expanding its use across sectors.
-Bioregional Value Chain
By establishing local supply chains in cities like Berlin, this project reduces transportation emissions and supports waste valorization, job creation, and sustainable urban development.
-Cross-Disciplinary & Community-Based Approach
The project integrates architects, designers, material scientists, policymakers, and local communities, ensuring cultural and economic relevance. Workshops and pilot projects foster knowledge transfer and real-world adoption.
By combining waste valorization, sustainable material innovation, and local engagement, this project sets a global precedent for sustainable design and construction.
-Decentralized Replication
Since shell waste and algae cultivation exist worldwide, this material can be produced locally using regionally available resources. This minimizes environmental impact and supports circular economy principles on a global scale.
-Low-Tech, Scalable Production
Developed with only low-tech processes, the material can be replicated in any context, from high-tech industries to small-scale production facilities. Without energy-intensive kilns or specialized equipment, it remains accessible and adaptable across different economic and infrastructural conditions.
-Bioregional Material Development Methodology
Beyond a single material, this project introduces a bioregional methodology for analyzing and developing new materials from bio-waste. This approach enables regions to create sustainable materials based on their available resources, fostering context-specific innovation and adaptability.
-Modular & Customizable Applications
The modular cladding system is designed for flexibility, allowing adaptation to different architectural styles, climates, and regulations. Its structural and aesthetic qualities make it suitable for facades, interiors, and urban design, expanding its use across sectors.
-Bioregional Value Chain
By establishing local supply chains in cities like Berlin, this project reduces transportation emissions and supports waste valorization, job creation, and sustainable urban development.
-Cross-Disciplinary & Community-Based Approach
The project integrates architects, designers, material scientists, policymakers, and local communities, ensuring cultural and economic relevance. Workshops and pilot projects foster knowledge transfer and real-world adoption.
By combining waste valorization, sustainable material innovation, and local engagement, this project sets a global precedent for sustainable design and construction.
This project tackles waste management, climate change, resource depletion, and supply chain instability by providing scalable, localized solutions based on circular economy principles.
-Marine Waste & Pollution → Local Waste Valorization
This project repurposes marine waste into a high-value construction material, reducing landfill use and promoting sustainable waste management in urban areas.
-High Carbon Emissions in Construction → Low-Carbon, Heat-Free Materials
The construction industry generates nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, largely from energy-intensive materials like cement and ceramics. This project’s heat-free process significantly reduces carbon footprint.
Over-Exploitation of Natural Resources → Bioregional
-Circular Economy
Traditional construction materials depend on finite resources such as sand, clay, and limestone. This project follows a bioregional approach, using locally available bio-waste to create region-specific, renewable materials, ensuring long-term sustainability.
-Material Shortages & Supply Chain Instability → Localized Production
Global material shortages and supply chain disruptions highlight the need for locally sourced alternatives. By developing bioregional value chains in cities, the project reduces transportation emissions, strengthens local economies, and enables self-sufficient material production.
-Lack of Affordable Sustainable Materials → Accessible, Low-Tech Solutions
Many eco-friendly materials remain costly or technologically complex, limiting adoption. This project prioritizes low-tech, cost-effective production, ensuring global replicability—from industrial facilities to small-scale workshops—and making sustainable construction more accessible.
By transforming local waste into valuable resources, this project provides a tangible, scalable response to urgent global challenges, demonstrating how regional solutions can drive global impact.
-Marine Waste & Pollution → Local Waste Valorization
This project repurposes marine waste into a high-value construction material, reducing landfill use and promoting sustainable waste management in urban areas.
-High Carbon Emissions in Construction → Low-Carbon, Heat-Free Materials
The construction industry generates nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, largely from energy-intensive materials like cement and ceramics. This project’s heat-free process significantly reduces carbon footprint.
Over-Exploitation of Natural Resources → Bioregional
-Circular Economy
Traditional construction materials depend on finite resources such as sand, clay, and limestone. This project follows a bioregional approach, using locally available bio-waste to create region-specific, renewable materials, ensuring long-term sustainability.
-Material Shortages & Supply Chain Instability → Localized Production
Global material shortages and supply chain disruptions highlight the need for locally sourced alternatives. By developing bioregional value chains in cities, the project reduces transportation emissions, strengthens local economies, and enables self-sufficient material production.
-Lack of Affordable Sustainable Materials → Accessible, Low-Tech Solutions
Many eco-friendly materials remain costly or technologically complex, limiting adoption. This project prioritizes low-tech, cost-effective production, ensuring global replicability—from industrial facilities to small-scale workshops—and making sustainable construction more accessible.
By transforming local waste into valuable resources, this project provides a tangible, scalable response to urgent global challenges, demonstrating how regional solutions can drive global impact.
By repurposing marine food waste, particularly discarded seashells, the project helps mitigate marine pollution and contributes to circular economy practices. With the potential to divert significant amounts of shell waste from landfills, it addresses environmental challenges while promoting local, bio-based materials. The heat-free bioceramic process, using algae-based biopolymers, eliminates energy-intensive kilns, significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional methods.
The project showcases waste valorization by transforming marine waste into high-value materials. Additionally, its heat-free approach reduces CO₂ emissions, advancing sustainable material development through a bioregional methodology that minimizes reliance on virgin resources.
Socially, the project engages local communities by involving them in waste collection, co-design, and educational workshops. This fosters empowerment, raising awareness about sustainability and instilling responsibility. It also has potential for job creation through local supply chains for waste management, material production, and sustainable design. The educational value bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world applications.
The bioceramic material offers a scalable alternative to conventional construction materials. It demonstrates high durability and aesthetic flexibility, making it suitable for architectural applications such as cladding systems, facades, and urban furniture. This innovation provides architects and builders with an eco-friendly option, promoting sustainable building practices.
The project influences urban planners and policymakers, encouraging them to support similar waste-to-resource initiatives. It serves as a replicable model for future sustainability efforts.
In summary, the project achieves measurable environmental, social, and economic impacts, promoting material innovation, fostering social equity, and contributing to sustainable urban transformation.
The project showcases waste valorization by transforming marine waste into high-value materials. Additionally, its heat-free approach reduces CO₂ emissions, advancing sustainable material development through a bioregional methodology that minimizes reliance on virgin resources.
Socially, the project engages local communities by involving them in waste collection, co-design, and educational workshops. This fosters empowerment, raising awareness about sustainability and instilling responsibility. It also has potential for job creation through local supply chains for waste management, material production, and sustainable design. The educational value bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world applications.
The bioceramic material offers a scalable alternative to conventional construction materials. It demonstrates high durability and aesthetic flexibility, making it suitable for architectural applications such as cladding systems, facades, and urban furniture. This innovation provides architects and builders with an eco-friendly option, promoting sustainable building practices.
The project influences urban planners and policymakers, encouraging them to support similar waste-to-resource initiatives. It serves as a replicable model for future sustainability efforts.
In summary, the project achieves measurable environmental, social, and economic impacts, promoting material innovation, fostering social equity, and contributing to sustainable urban transformation.
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![[CONQ_Cholgas],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Camila-Piazza]-[2024]_MG_2525.JPG](/system/files/webform/champions/23709/%5BCONQ_Cholgas%5D%2C-%5BHeidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub%5D%2C-%5B2024%5D%2C-Photo_-%5BCamila-Piazza%5D-%5B2024%5D_MG_2525.JPG "[CONQ_Cholgas],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Camila-Piazza]-[2024]_MG_2525.JPG")
![[CONQ_cladding-pieces],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Heidi-Jalkh]-[2024].jpg](/system/files/webform/champions/23709/%5BCONQ_cladding-pieces%5D%2C-%5BHeidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub%5D%2C-%5B2024%5D%2C-Photo_-%5BHeidi-Jalkh%5D-%5B2024%5D.jpg "[CONQ_cladding-pieces],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Heidi-Jalkh]-[2024].jpg")
![[CONQ_Grind],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Camila-Piazza]-[2024]_MG_2566.JPG](/system/files/webform/champions/23709/%5BCONQ_Grind%5D%2C-%5BHeidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub%5D%2C-%5B2024%5D%2C-Photo_-%5BCamila-Piazza%5D-%5B2024%5D_MG_2566.JPG "[CONQ_Grind],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Camila-Piazza]-[2024]_MG_2566.JPG")
![[CONQ_material-pallette],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Heidi-Jalkh]-[2024].jpg](/system/files/webform/champions/23709/%5BCONQ_material-pallette%5D%2C-%5BHeidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub%5D%2C-%5B2024%5D%2C-Photo_-%5BHeidi-Jalkh%5D-%5B2024%5D.jpg "[CONQ_material-pallette],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Heidi-Jalkh]-[2024].jpg")
![[CONQ_navajas-samples],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Heidi-Jalkh]-[2024].jpg](/system/files/webform/champions/23709/%5BCONQ_navajas-samples%5D%2C-%5BHeidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub%5D%2C-%5B2024%5D%2C-Photo_-%5BHeidi-Jalkh%5D-%5B2024%5D.jpg "[CONQ_navajas-samples],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Heidi-Jalkh]-[2024].jpg")
![[CONQ_Ostras-espinosa_vert],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Camila-Piazza]-[2024]_MG_2521.JPG](/system/files/webform/champions/23709/%5BCONQ_Ostras-espinosa_vert%5D%2C-%5BHeidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub%5D%2C-%5B2024%5D%2C-Photo_-%5BCamila-Piazza%5D-%5B2024%5D_MG_2521.JPG "[CONQ_Ostras-espinosa_vert],-[Heidi-Jalkh-and-Angie-Dub],-[2024],-Photo_-[Camila-Piazza]-[2024]_MG_2521.JPG")