This research, in collaboration with Morris+Company, explores a holistic approach to sustainability in building product development by intersecting ecological design, craft and biodiversity through the medium of clay. Positioned as a locally sourced, culturally significant and ecologically versatile material, clay serves as a focal point for addressing two core concerns: its potential to support biodiversity and the loss of intrinsic craft value due to industrial manufacturing. Through primary research conducted in co-making workshops, the project tests clay-making as an experimental design method rooted in ecological and social sustainability. These workshops, grounded in “learning through making” principles, enabled participants to co-create clay products while engaging with themes of community and material education. At the core of the workshops, which served as the main method of data collection and a platform for testing participatory design in material education, was the design and creation of around 40 co-designed clay tiles. The final tiles embedded biodiversity-conscious features and were framed around the decision to fire or not.

Features photography by Sophie Percival.