Material Ecology

Research Focus: Material Ecology

Material Ecology is a design philosophy and research field that seeks a deeper, more symbiotic relationship between the objects we make and the environment they inhabit. It represents a shift away from a world of assembled, machine-made parts and towards a world of grown, multi-functional, and biologically integrated systems. This research explores the intersection of computation, fabrication, and biology to create materials and structures that are in tune with nature.

1. Core Tenets of Material Ecology

Material Ecology is built on a set of principles that challenge the foundations of traditional design and manufacturing.

From Homogeneous to Heterogeneous

Industrial materials are typically homogeneous and single-purpose (e.g., steel for strength, glass for transparency). In contrast, natural materials are almost always heterogeneous and multi-functional. A single piece of wood, for example, has varying density for structural support, porous channels for water transport, and a chemical composition that resists decay. Material Ecology seeks to create synthetic materials that mimic this functional grading, embedding multiple properties into a single substance.

Resolution over Assembly

The industrial paradigm is one of assembly: joining discrete, single-property parts to form a larger whole. Material Ecology proposes a different approach: “resolution.” This means designing with high-resolution gradients of material properties across scales. Imagine a single, 3D-printed building facade that transitions seamlessly from opaque and structural at its base to transparent and lightweight at its top, without any joints or separate components.

Taming, not Assembling

This principle advocates for working with natural processes rather than against them. Instead of forcing materials into a desired shape, we can “tame” the growth processes of living organisms, like mycelium or bacteria, to create architectural-scale structures. The designer’s role becomes one of a gardener, cultivating materials rather than manufacturing them.

2. Key Research Areas and Projects

Our research in Material Ecology is highly experimental, manifesting in a series of projects that test these core tenets.

Water-Based Digital Fabrication

We have developed a method of 3D printing with a “bi-polymer” of chitosan (derived from shrimp shells) and cellulose (from trees). This water-based composite can be printed into large, complex structures. As the water evaporates, the structure’s geometry and material composition dictate how it shrinks and folds, creating a pre-programmed final shape. This process uses no harmful chemicals and results in a fully biodegradable material.

Biologically Augmented Structures

This research explores how to integrate living organisms directly into building components. One project, “Aguahoja,” creates architectural-scale biocomposite structures that respond to the environment. These structures are designed to decay in a controlled manner when exposed to rain, releasing embedded seeds and nutrients to promote new growth. The building becomes a temporary nutrient-delivery system for the ecosystem.

The Silk Pavilion

In this project, we explored the collaboration between a robotic arm and 6,500 live silkworms. The robotic arm first extruded a basic scaffold of silk threads. Then, the silkworms were placed on this scaffold, and they proceeded to spin their own dense, beautiful cocoon around the pre-defined shape. This demonstrated a new form of manufacturing, a partnership between machine and organism.

3. A Vision for a Material Future

Material Ecology offers a powerful vision for a more sustainable and ecologically integrated future. It suggests that the materials of our built environment do not have to be inert, polluting, and destined for a landfill. Instead, they can be intelligent, adaptive, regenerative, and part of a larger, circular material ecosystem. By learning from nature’s design principles, we can begin to build a world where the things we make are not in opposition to the environment, but a seamless extension of it.