Exploring the Psycho-Physiological Benefits of Bio- Materials in Architecture: A Seaweed Case Study Investigating Making and Human Response

In an era marked by escalating concerns regarding climate change and the importance of sustainable development, the pursuit of net-zero carbon goals has emerged as a critical mandate for mitigating environmental degradation and ensuring the well-being of future generations. Amidst mounting evidence elucidating the adverse effects of conventional materials on the environment, the momentum towards embracing bio-based alternatives has gained traction, driven by the urgency to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions. With this trajectory, an essential consideration that often remains overlooked is the experiential and physiological benefits of integrating bio-based materials into the built environment. Understanding human experience in this context is crucial as gaining insight into individuals’ subjective experiences and physiological responses to bio-based materials can help architects and designers to create spaces that support and heal people.

This research endeavours to understand how bio-based material can impact an individual’s well-being, particularly in regards to stress levels. Initially, a hands-on material making exploration was conducted to understand the innate properties and characteristics of seaweed bio-materials, and confirm viability of these. Then, the research sought to extend and understand experience with materials by conducting a modest size experiment with people, which involved testing the heart rate while interacting with both bio-based and conventional materials and a questionnaire examining.

The material exploration revealed the unique properties of seaweed bio-materials and how they can be emphasised through the various material fabrication techniques. It also revealed the positive therapeutic benefits to the maker, by exploring the journey of the biomaterial, the researcher gained insights into its origins and evolution which forged a deeper connection to the material.

The experiment study confirmed that bio-based material does lower stress levels of individuals through lowering their heart rate in comparison to conventional materials. Despite participants indicating their preferred and least preferred materials in the questionnaire , the analysis revealed no significant correlation between these subjective preferences and their heart rate responses. This intriguing discovery suggests a disparity between individuals’ conscious thoughts and their bodily reactions to materials. To generalise these findings, further research is required including a larger sample size to confirm and quantify the research data for application within the architectural and design industries.