Ground
Developed from spent coffee grounds, this series explores sustainable material innovation through hand shaping, 3D printing, and casting. It reflects a circular design approach rooted in local waste reuse and collaborative making, with a focus on material impact in design.
This work highlights the potential of food waste-derived biomaterials for scalable, design-driven applications.
Skills
Design, Material research, Prototyping, Experimentation
Timeline
Fall 2024 - Present
Materials
Agar agar, Potato starch, Gelatin, Xantham gun, Glycerin, Coffee grounds, Banana peels, Cellulose, MoldsTools
Miro, Ziplocks, Foil, 3D Printer Part 1
Bioplastic recipe development using coffee grounds and banana peels through hand piping.
Part 2
3D printing with coffee-based mixtures for scalable fabrication.
Part 3
Collaboration with Memo Furniture and Fulcrum Coffee Roasters to create coasters from roastery waste.
Part 3
Received a $3,000 grant from the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry to develop modular furniture.
Why does this matter?
Waste streams constitute the only responsible material source in our world.
As of 2020, humanity officially became the maker of the planet. According to research published in the Scientific American, all human-made synthetic objects now outweigh the combined biomass of all living organisms on Earth.
This raises questions about the future of architecture and design disciplines as the accumulation of new matter now leaves an irreversible footprint.
Material Characteristics
Most spent coffee grounds end up in landfills, releasing methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO₂.
In Europe, coffee ground disposal emits about 650 million kg of CO₂-equivalent each year, equal to the energy use of 80,000 homes.
Part 1
Bioplastic recipe development using coffee grounds and banana peels through hand piping.
Proposed Application
The wall acts as both, a support structure and a nutrient source by:
- Leveraging organic waste to enhance plant growth
- Improving soil fertility, preventing erosion, and boosting water retention
- Recycling agricultural by-products into valuable resources
Field trials will evaluate its effectiveness in improving crop yields and restoring soil health.
Material Process
An in-depth overview of the full design process, highlighting the various prototypes and refinements that informed and shaped the final outcome
Final Material Recipe and Characteristics
The final material features a naturally warped form, where coffee grounds and banana-based bioplastic are seamlessly integratedShaping Strategies
Individual Recipes
Refined recipes by experimenting with ingredients and proportions to reach the desired material consistency
Part 2
In progress—more documentation coming soon.Iteration 1
Material Issues
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Clogging caused by thick mixture at extruder tip
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Reordered ingredient mixing for smoother flow
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Refined loading method to improve print stability
Iteration 2
Iteration 2 involved replacing some ingredients with cellulose
Advancements Achieved
- Improved material flow for smoother extrusion
- Reduced air bubbles for more consistent dispensing
- Increased structural integrity to support taller prints
Iteration 3
Developing modular 3D-printed bricks to be used at an architectural scale.
Part 3
In progress—more documentation coming soon.Coffee Coasters
Post-Drying
Post-Sanding
Tea Waste Coasters
Post-Drying
Post-Sanding
Part 4
In progressReceived a $3,000 grant from the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry to develop modular furniture.