Circular Urchin Economies for Viable Futures: Designing Material Cultures across Food, Waste, and Aquaculture

Urchin Futures is a biodesign project that responds to climate change by connecting marine science, biomaterial experimentation, aquaculture, and food culture. Working with marine biologists, aquaculture practitioners, chefs, and ceramicists, we developed a transdisciplinary model that spans marine ecologies, biological knowledge, and seafood waste streams to prototype circular materials and public experiences. Integrating scientific research, biomaterial exploration, and cultural practice, we asked how marine organisms and seafood waste can inform material cultures and public conversations around climate-resilient coastal food systems. Together, we visualized urchin-integrated farming models and prototyped circular material cultures through EchinoDye, EchinoClay, EchinoGlaze, and a participatory dining experience. Our circular approach combines sustainable urchin farming, waste reuse, and gastronomic explorations of urchin roe, while building shared knowledge across research, industry, and community partners.