A Matter of Clay: New Scenarios of Ceramic Material Composed of Algae

This article examines how through material experience, glocal philosophy of “think globally act locally”, and experimentation of tinkering, it’s possible to renew and imagine new materials, products, and processes in a specific territorial context. During the research, a design framework on materials and territories emerged, starting from research on the context and territory, analysing the economic, social, tangible, and intangible factors that compose it. Moreover, it’s necessary to understand what type of resources it offers in terms of materials and processes to start active experimentation with the material by adding biological resources or reusing waste. The new material will experiment with local workers or the community. As a result, human capital and companies are involved in restoring the economy and cultural heritage to lead to social innovation. This framework was then applied in the case of ceramic processing in Nove territory (Italy). This enabled a different design approach to re-discover and re-innovate traditional materials and a renewed vision of their role as bearers of local values. Researchers and designers, through this framework, play a fundamental role in conserving and implementing the territorial cultural heritage.