A selection of my favourite reference books exploring sustainable materials and circular design. From inspirational and experimental product design, to materials reference guides and into material reform for architecture

Seaweed, a diverse group of marine algae, is abundant and grows in oceans worldwide, from tropical all the way to polar regions. Seaweed thrives in a variety of marine environments, attaching to substrates like rocks and coral, and flourishing in nutrient-rich waters. Seaweed is categorized into three main types: brown algae (Phaeophyceae), red algae (Rhodophyta), and green algae (Chlorophyta). Each type has unique properties and uses. For example, brown seaweeds like kelp (Laminaria) are known for their rapid growth and high iodine content. Red seaweeds such as dulse (Palmaria palmata) are rich in proteins and vitamins. Green seaweeds like sea lettuce (Ulva) are nutrient-dense and are often used in salads. The rapid growth rate and minimal resource requirements of seaweed make it a sustainable choice for biomaterial production, contributing to its potential as a key player in addressing environmental challenges​ .

On a very sunny but chilly Saturday morning I had the pleasure of visiting Margent Farm, a Hemp farm located in Cambridgeshire in the UK. Margent Farm opens up their farm and family home a few times a year for visitors. It was well worth the trip, to explore the farm, try bread dipped in hemp oil and I learn a few unexpected things about Hemp and the challenges faced by those farming it.

Linoleum is one of those materials that is reminiscent of an era, bringing to mind instant images of 1920s patterned kitchen floors. Invented in the 1860s by an Englishman named Frederick Walton linoleum was such a success that within the space of 15 or so years it became so commonplace in homes and workplaces that the word linoleum became the first trade name to become a generic term.