Abstract
In this article, we describe and discuss the findings from a design study aimed at producing objects with an Amazonian tree by employing a design technique based on collaboration with living organisms, adopting approaches to design that prioritizes respect for the environment, as well as shedding light on the potential of ancestral knowledge in shaping sustainable design practices. The Crescentia cujete species produces cuias, fruits that turn into domestic objects through an ancestral artisanal process that can be considered highly ecological from a design perspective. The study starts with a literature review in Biodesign, Biology, and Anthropology. Then, a mixed method approach was adopted, involving historical research on cuia´s production process, direct interaction with trees in a bioeconomy context, interviews and participative observation of traditional artisans, and the integration of these methods. The historical record indicated that biofabrication using cuieiras is an ancient practice, and the results of the experiments demonstrated the potential of cuieira trees for biofabrication nowadays, as evidenced by a broad range of tests that enhance our understanding of this plant-human collaboration. The success of this partnership is partly attributed to the designers' deep engagement with the trees, establishing a level of intimacy that facilitates a strong alliance in design. Furthermore, the process of form-giving involves an ongoing dialogue that acknowledges the dependence of form on ecological considerations. Finally, the discussion and conclusion draw attention to the design field's undervaluation of indigenous objects and techniques and highlight the disparity between industrialized systems versus designing with living organisms.
Keywords
biodesign; multispecies collaboration; Amazon Forest; ancestral knowledge
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2023.156
Citation
Bandoni, A., Cunca, R., Paoliello, C.,and Forman, G.(2023) Collaborating with an Amazonian tree: a bio-product design experiment with ancestral references, in De Sainz Molestina, D., Galluzzo, L., Rizzo, F., Spallazzo, D. (eds.), IASDR 2023: Life-Changing Design, 9-13 October, Milan, Italy. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2023.156
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
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Collaborating with an Amazonian tree: a bio-product design experiment with ancestral references
In this article, we describe and discuss the findings from a design study aimed at producing objects with an Amazonian tree by employing a design technique based on collaboration with living organisms, adopting approaches to design that prioritizes respect for the environment, as well as shedding light on the potential of ancestral knowledge in shaping sustainable design practices. The Crescentia cujete species produces cuias, fruits that turn into domestic objects through an ancestral artisanal process that can be considered highly ecological from a design perspective. The study starts with a literature review in Biodesign, Biology, and Anthropology. Then, a mixed method approach was adopted, involving historical research on cuia´s production process, direct interaction with trees in a bioeconomy context, interviews and participative observation of traditional artisans, and the integration of these methods. The historical record indicated that biofabrication using cuieiras is an ancient practice, and the results of the experiments demonstrated the potential of cuieira trees for biofabrication nowadays, as evidenced by a broad range of tests that enhance our understanding of this plant-human collaboration. The success of this partnership is partly attributed to the designers' deep engagement with the trees, establishing a level of intimacy that facilitates a strong alliance in design. Furthermore, the process of form-giving involves an ongoing dialogue that acknowledges the dependence of form on ecological considerations. Finally, the discussion and conclusion draw attention to the design field's undervaluation of indigenous objects and techniques and highlight the disparity between industrialized systems versus designing with living organisms.