Microbial Smellscapes: Tuning into Blooming Futures through Design investigates how design can support people in noticing and experiencing future microbial smellscapes in the present. Situated within the context of harmful algal blooms and microbial change in everyday water environments, the project approaches smell as an unstable, situated, and more-than-human form of environmental experience. Rather than communicating microbial change only through scientific data, visual warnings, or technological sensing, the research explores how olfactory and speculative design can make ecological transformation more bodily, affective, and open to collective discussion.
Following a Research through Design approach, the project developed through the interconnected phases of attuning, speculating, and materialising, with making, reflection, and synthesis occurring across the research process. Contextual research, expert input, situated smellwalks, participatory speculation, and material speculation informed the development of a speculative olfactory design set consisting of a wearable smell probe, a walking and reflection zine, and a small archive of microbial-inspired smell references.
The wearable probe uses GPS-based triggering to release subtle, bloom-like smells during situated walking encounters. Publicly available water-monitoring information and local ecological knowledge informed the selection and interpretation of the locations, but the probe does not claim to reproduce or diagnose their actual ecological conditions. The zine supports noticing, imagining, and reflection, while the smell archive brings together scent references associated with past, present, and speculative future water conditions.
The project does not aim to detect, explain, or solve harmful algal blooms. Instead, it creates conditions for situated smellscape attunement. By bringing speculative microbial smells close to the body and into encounters with familiar waters, the design invites people to pause, sense, question, and reflect on their relationships with changing aquatic environments. In doing so, the project demonstrates how design can tune attention towards ecological transformations that often remain difficult to perceive. ... Read more

Urbanisation in combination with climate change threatens human life through the Urban Heat Island effect and Urban Flooding. Grid Pavement replaces impervious pavement by a combination of vegetation and infrastructure, creating climate adaptive urban areas with crucial infrastructure. However, current Grid Pavement materials have a detrimental effect on the environment. This study investigates sustainable materialisation of Grid Pavement, and demands of stakeholders, combining technical with human-centered material development.

This research consists of five analyses, contributing to a holistically improved Grid Pavement design. Stakeholders were interviewed to reveal key stakeholder and design requirements and wishes. The Grid Pavement market was analysed for design requirements and wishes. From current Grid Pavement materialisation and sustainable strategies an alternative material is identified. Tinkering was done to get a complete understanding of the material under varying conditions. To understand the user experience of the material, experiential characteristics were identified through stakeholder interviews. An understanding of the material mechanical properties was gained through material testing. The final concept was designed to enhance the material’s experiential characteristics, while a Finite Element Analysis ensured structural integrity.

Stakeholder interviews identified Municipalities and (Landscape) Architects as key stakeholders. CoRncrete poses a potential sustainable material alternative for Grid Pavement. Forming CoRncrete in the hydraulic press using 0.250 to 0.500 mm sand grains produces the highest quality, while ensuring scalability and sustainability of the material. The user experience of CoRncrete is heavily dependent on the visibility of the sand grains. CoRncrete containing 0.250 to 0.500 mm sand grains is an ordinary, recognisable material, while its natural appearance can improve the sustainable perception of Grid Pavement, posing a competitive advantage compared to concrete and plastic. Additionally, visible sand grains provided a fascinating tactile experience, inviting curiosity and attraction. CoRncrete formed in the hydraulic press, containing 0.250 to 0.500 mm sand grains and potato starch, called PMP-CoRncrete, poses the optimal material composition for Grid Pavement. PMP-CoRncrete exhibits a Young’s modulus of 660.40 MPa, a Yield Strength of 25.97 MPa and an Ultimate Compressive Strength of 27.05 MPa and a density of 1823 kg/m3. Combining the Young’s Modulus and density shows PMP-CoRncrete is comparable to polymers, while being heavier than natural materials and having a lower Young’s Modulus compared to composites. Curing time is found to significantly affect CoRncrete strength, where increasing the curing time from 2 to 9 days increases the UCS of potato starch-containing samples by 52.02%.

CoRnGrid is a CoRncrete Grid Pavement module that harmoniously integrates vegetation into infrastructure due to its design features and materialisation. One module measures 600 by 390 by 80 mm (L by W by H), weighs 23.26 kilograms and costs €12 to €15 per module.

This research pushes the boundaries of infrastructure materialisation while holistically advancing the development of CoRncrete, moving away from toxic material development, towards a sustainable future. ... Read more

This project explores how engagement with mycelium-receptive living artefacts can contribute to ecological literacy and nature connectedness in children. Within the scope of this project, ecological literacy serves as the foundation for exploring the potential of living artefacts to foster ecological awareness and knowledge-building, support transformative learning through place-based experiences, and help bridge the pedagogical gaps left by conventional education.

Ecological literacy refers to the ability to understand ecological systems, including how they function and interconnect. A widespread lack of such understanding is increasingly recognised as a major barrier to achieving sustainability. While ecological literacy forms the basis for well-informed, sustainable decision-making, nature connectedness is equally important for pro-environmental behaviour. However, children growing up in urban environments often lack access to nature, leading to lower ecological literacy and feeling less connected to the natural world. This disconnect is concerning, as it not only affects children’s wellbeing but also their relationship with nature and their future environmental attitudes and behaviours. Addressing this issue through nature education in primary schools is therefore crucial to raising future generations who understand, care for, and act to protect natural environments. Consequently, this project focuses on primary school children between the ages of 8 and 12. In doing so, it aims to contribute both to educational methods and tools for nature education and to academic discourse on regenerative and more-than-human design.

The project adopts a research through design approach, combining methods from material-driven and participatory design while including more-than-human perspectives. Through material explorations in multispecies contexts, it examines how biodegradable and living materials can support mycelial growth and interaction, with the broader aim of developing materials that children can safely and playfully use to create their own mycelium-receptive living artefacts. In addition, a workshop conducted with primary school children explored how nature-based learning can lead to understanding and empathy for non-human organisms. Central to the workshop was an enactment exercise in which children imagined themselves as fungi in a local park, expressing their understanding of and sensitivity towards non-human species. Insights from these activities informed the conceptualisation of an experimentation toolkit for nature education, consisting of a presentation, workbook, and shapeable composite material that enables children to shape, place, and observe their own living artefacts.

The toolkit was tested with 71 children aged 8–12. Their creations and placement decisions revealed sensitivity and empathy toward fungi and their environments, particularly when encouraged to reflect on their actions. The workshop could be independently facilitated by a teacher, demonstrating its feasibility in a real-world educational context. Findings suggest that engaging with living artefacts situated in local natural environments can strengthen ecological literacy and nurture caring relationships with non-human life. Further research is needed to measure long-term effects on ecological literacy and nature connectedness, and to refine the material properties of the mycelium-receptive composite. ... Read more

This master’s thesis investigates how to improve product care practices for Technical Outdoor Garments (TOG) among consumers. Working with Bever, the Netherlands’ leading outdoor retailer, the research examines ways to extend product lifespans through better maintenance. The study identifies key barriers preventing proper TOG care and develops The Buitenmens Sherpa, a solution to make TOG care more accessible and routine.

The thesis provides a comprehensive overview of TOG, including waterproof, down-filled, and synthetic-fill garments, as well as the importance of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatments. It examines current product care practices, the role of care labels, and the specific washing and drying requirements for TOG. The research utilizes the Fogg Behavior Model to analyze consumer behavior regarding product care and explores related work in the field of sustainable consumption..

By examining Bever’s sustainability initiatives, consumer behavior patterns, and circular economy principles, this thesis proposes a notification system that reminds users when TOG need care and makes the maintenance process more accessible. This solution aims to maximize garment longevity, minimize environmental impact, and advance circular economy practices in outdoor apparel. ... Read more

This project explores the potential market opportunities and applications for a novel bamboo fiber-reinforced composite material with bio-HDPE matrix. The research, conducted in collaboration with Eve Reverse, focuses on developing a thermoplastic composite with aligned short bamboo fibers to enhance mechanical properties in specific directions, allowing for programmable strength. The goal is to research the desirability of the new carbon-negative bio-based short fiber composites and designing its appropriate application.
The project adopts the Material Driven Design (MDD) method, combining experiential characterization studies, mechanical testing, together with prototyping to assess the composite’s desirability, feasibility, and viability.
The testing of the bamboo fiber composite's mechanical properties, including its stiffness and strength, which showed comparable performance to traditional materials like plywood. Experiential characterization studies involved a series of observation-based experiments, questionnaires, and interviews to gather insights on potential consumers' perceptions and emotional responses to the material.
The results indicated that the bamboo fiber composite material offers a natural, warm aesthetic that elicited positive emotional feedback from users, including feelings of comfort and curiosity. These findings are crucial for establishing the desirability of this material in the marketplace, as they demonstrate consumer interest in products made from sustainable materials. Despite some concerns about the material's sustainability, it offers a compelling alternative for eco-conscious consumers.
The design vision can be concluded from mapping the findings of material characterization and market research. Following the vision, with the help of ideation groups, the idea of ceiling fan blade perfectly fit the vision and the requirement. Prototyping and functional testing further confirmed the feasibility of using bamboo composite materials The study validated vacuum bag thermoforming as an effective manufacturing method for producing smooth, uniformly thick bamboo composite blades capable of complex curves. The project also explored the feasibility of remanufacturing a multi-layer plate by pile up bamboo composite which demonstrated the potential for producing larger composite structures. Finally, from a viability perspective, the project aligns with the increasing demand for carbon-neutral products in the European Union, with legislation likely to support the development of sustainable materials. The result of quick LCA proved the sustainability impact is relatively low from cradle-to-gate calculation. The easy accessibility of raw materials, and relatively simple manufacturing process ensure it can be produced affordably while maintaining profitability. In the future, bamboo fiber composite has great potential to realize a low-cost automatic production line, with the combination of environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, providing bio-based thermoplastic materials in the market as a sustainable alternative. ... Read more

This project addresses the gap in current stress-regulation treatments by developing a smart textile wearable that integrates shape-morphing materials and body monitoring sensors to regulate the nervous system through conscious breathing. Anxiety, recognized as the leading chronic stress-related disorder globally by the World Health Organization, often remains inadequately treated due to the lack of advanced mental health solutions which fail to integrate into daily life, resulting in underutilization and insufficient awareness. Consequently, existing solutions are either focused solely on body monitoring or haptic feedback, typically involving bulky and noisy electromechanical systems. This project aims to bridge this gap by combining both elements into a discreet, non-intrusive abdominal wearable, designed for everyday use to enhance individual awareness of anxious conditions and facilitate self-management.

By utilizing Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) for their advantageous power-to-weight ratio and ease of integration into textiles, this project explores their potential to simulate diaphragmatic breathing rhythms, aiding users in managing anxiety. Guided by the Material Driven Design (MDD) methodology, the project synthesizes theoretical and empirical research to develop a wearable prototype that accurately replicates breathing rhythms through SMA, monitors heart rate, and ensures user comfort and a soothing experience. Experimental studies with 0.5mm NiTiCu SMAs in zigzag configurations demonstrate the feasibility of reducing response time and controlling expansion movements at a high deformation strain, enhancing the simulation of breathing rhythms. A new SMA re-training method was identified, which conserves time, effort, and energy without necessitating high temperatures above 500ºC.

User studies indicate a strong preference for active engagement in haptic breathing guidance, which enhances focus and personal connection to the device. The wearable’s slow, organic expansion-contraction movements on the abdomen closely mimic natural diaphragmatic breathing, facilitating synchronization and promoting a sense of calm. The prototype’s dual association with medical and personal contexts, combined with its portability, supports versatile use across different settings and postures, thereby contributing to a positive user experience. The findings demonstrate the device’s efficacy in heightening user awareness and managing high stress, presenting a promising solution for health applications. This project provides significant insights into the integration of SMAs and smart textiles for mental health applications, presenting a noiseless, lightweight, discreet, and non-invasive solution. ... Read more

Each year, 5.9 million tonnes of tea is consumed worldwide. However, this large consumption of tea also leads to large amounts of tea waste. Approximately 90% of steeped tea is being thrown away. This waste leads to problems such as environmental pollution. In order to combat this issue, Tea Clay was previously developed as a material made from wasted tea leaves. However, this material was not suitable for large scale implementation.

This project aims to explore the material-based opportunities for Tea Clay to be implemented on a larger scale.
The Tea Clay has an envisioned implementation as a memory board game based on tactile and olfactory senses for visually and non-visually impaired people. The Material Driven Design method is used for developing the material further to fit this vision. Benchmarking has inspired the material to have a reprocessing step: creating bulk material that can later be reprocessed into the intended product. Through tinkering, a new material with added gelatine and water was created which can reshape the material once it has been steamed. The reprocessability of the material could benefit the availability of the material for product implementation. Material can be created at one place and sold to customers, who in turn steam the material and reshape it in different products. The reprocessability also facilitates recyclability at the product end of life.

Bending tests and hardness tests have shown that it has a similar Young’s modulus and hardness as that of polypropylene and polyethylene, resulting in a material that is suitable for the substitution of conventional plastics. Experiential characterisation tests have proven that users are willing to interact with a novel material with appropriate background information. Knowing the material composition can stimulate them to be more accepting and embracing towards the material. Scent implementation is important for the intended product, as the scent should not disappear over time. A user test was conducted to test the scent duration and strength. Coating the material with essential oil has proven to keep the scent over a period of 4 weeks without much disappearance. The results of the material exploration both technically and experientially have come together in the design of a board game for visually and non-visually impaired people. This design aims at enhancing social interaction between visually and non-visually impaired through a game where everyone has a sense of collaboration and autonomy during game play and setup.

Overall, this study has demonstrated the potential of Tea Clay to be used as a waste composite material for product development. Future studies are still needed to further analyse the material properties of Tea Clay, and to validate its application in design for visually impaired people.
... Read more