Elena Comino, Margherita Palagi, Daniela Garibaldi, Nicolò Bottero, and Alejandra Ruiz Suarez
This paper investigates how detached Posidonia oceanica biomass deposited along Mediterranean coastlines can be reinterpreted through systemic principles as a material resource for coastal regeneration and public learning. The research is situated along the Ligurian coast, where seasonal accumulations of seagrass leaves, rhizomes, and fibrous remains are frequently removed and disposed of in landfills because they are perceived as incompatible with tourism and recreational use, despite their ecological role in shoreline protection, nutrient cycles, and dune formation. The study combines more-than-human design, stakeholder engagement, Material Driven Design, and DIY material experimentation to investigate P. oceanica as filler in bio-based matrices. The material research followed two parallel pathways: rigid composites and flexible filaments. The multidisciplinary validation process led to the selection of two primary material formulations, chosen for their mechanical resistance, physical durability, sustainability, and locally accessible production. The rigid material was applied into the Residonia module,a biodegradable anchor for seagrass transplantation that supports the recovery of living meadows. The flexible material was turned into Sea-Loop, a versatile textile filament suitable for various processes, including crochet. This work demonstrates how through systemic design, a socially contested coastal residue can become a medium for ecological repair, material experimentation, and situated learning. The research offers a traceable holistic design process towards Mediterranean coastal regeneration practices.
Keywords: systemic design, more-than-human design, Posidonia oceanica, bio-based materials, coastal regeneration, Material Driven Design, DIY, ecological restoration