TRESSA
Seaweed is a fundamental element of the Venice lagoon ecosystem, yet it is often perceived as waste and removed during maintenance activities such as boat hull cleaning. Despite its ecological value, its material potential remains largely unexplored. This project investigates seaweed as a sustainable resource, focusing on the reuse of algae waste without extracting new natural materials.
The project is based on extensive material experimentation with algae-derived systems. Two main materials were developed: an algae based bioplastic and a seaweed-ceramic.
Algae bioplasticSeaweed ceramicSealed Ceramic
The ceramic behaves similarly to a paper clay, where processed seaweed fibers are mixed into the clay body, resulting in a lightweight material with a distinctive rough and tactile surface. In parallel, algae bioplastic was created through controlled gelatinization and drying processes, allowing for flexible, translucent, and skin-like outcomes.
The final collection translates these material experiments into a cohesive set of tableware. The ceramic bowl, made from seaweed-based paper clay, is paired with elements coated or produced using algae bioplastic. Form and texture are designed to enhance grip and tactility, balancing functional ergonomics with expressive surfaces. The project presents seaweed waste as a viable material system for design, emphasizing sustainability, material sensibility, and everyday use.