Week 10 - Finding the Materials Narrative

Initial Research into Sustainable Materials

I looked at different paint colours from COAT paints and ordered their recyclable peel-and-stick swatch pack. I looked at various colour options inspired by nature and wildlife. The selection on the left I curated from looking at a botanical garden, the one on the left was inspired by the New Forest.

The floor finishing I initially considered was timber. Below are come eco-friendly high-quality hardwood flooring samples. I wanted to have a variation to help me decide on the tones I wanted for my design. I ended up finalising on a light warm wood.

For "The Nest" I wanted to search into sustainable fork flooring. Below shows a natural prime cork tile (left), a brown classic cork stone tile (middle) and 3D curved form natural tile (right). I landed on the natural cork for the floor and the 3D curved tile to be used as one of the walls in the sensory room.

Sample Material Mood Boards

1. 3D curved natural tile

2. Recycled glass reconstituted stone

3. Bamboo fabric

4. Brown classic cork stone tile

5. European oak flooring

6. Natural clay plaster

7. Sustainable green carpet

8. Natural limestone tile

9. Natural prime cork tile

10. Nature inspired fabric

Material Mood Boards

Proposed material objects from:

- The existing building

- The details and materials (body connections)

- The imagined proposal for its future use

- Made and transformed objects

Material Narrative

The Epiphyte Discovery Centre aims to create a warm, calm and restorative environment where the public feels comfortable and free. The material selections made for the structures, surfaces, furniture and foliage aim to manifest this narrative to generate an environment that transports you to the natural world, for example, the rainforest. Biophilic design led the way for most of my materials, be it through direct experience of nature, indirect or experience of space and place. This can be seen through the natural textures, colours and designs, more so with the biomaterials used like mycelium.

Studies have proven that nature has a high impact on a human’s life, be it physical, mental, social, etc. Psychophysiological Stress Reduction Theory looks at the capability of restorative environments to aid stress recovery through nature, and The Attention Restoration Theory states that it is easier for people to concentrate after spending time in nature. It is suggested that subjection to nature in urban areas provides improved physical and mental health gains and community level improvements. These are essential pieces to the carefully picked materials, activities and spaces.

The materials are organic and sustainable. The most widely utilised material within the design is mycelium, both as a structural and surface material. It is highly versatile. I have used it to create the central core structure, bookshelves, lighting and leather for the upholstery. Foliage is used throughout the design, as in the natural world, it can be found everywhere. When considering plants with biophilic design, it is not just adding indoor potted plants for their beauty. Plants enhance the environment in several ways, including added fragrance, stress reduction, regulating humidity, producing oxygen and absorbing CO2 and microparticles. This is why the roof of Epiphyte will have an intrinsic green roof and geodesic atriums with automatic windows and louvres. These materials collectively transform the space into a soothing and therapeutic atmosphere to allow not only the space and the public to reach their full potential.

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