Mattia  Anderle



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.

Sealed Ceramic
Seaweed ceramic
Algae bioplastic


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.




INSTAGRAM