AdNat: DIY Biomaterial and Self-Manufacturable Skink Shelters 

by Charlotte McCarthy

Abstract

The Australian natural environment is rapidly eroding and fragmenting due to urbanisation. This increasing human-nature divide and prevalence of unsustainable behaviours have been detrimental to native biodiversity. Through a research-led explorative design approach, this project explored the issues of designing for urban biodiversity in NSW private gardens and developed a home-DIY biomaterial, AdNat, implemented in the design of two low-skill self-manufacturable artificial skink shelters.

The project demonstrates the potential of material and product application to increase urban biodiversity within private gardens by increasing habitat viability. Additionally, it showed the sustainable impact on the environment that designing materials and products with planned decomposition obsolescence and low-skilled user-manufacturing had. The development of this DIY biomaterial contributes to new material ecologies in design manufacturing, namely the domestic production of a material and object that enhances a connection to the product as well as the environment.

This project demonstrates that urban areas have the capacity to lessen the damage they cause to the natural environment and local biodiversity when both human and non-human users are engaged in the process and outcome.

Design Intent

How can a DIY biomaterial artificial skink shelter be developed for home user-manufacturers for use in private urban gardens for the benefit of urban biodiversity? 

The leading cause of declining biodiversity in urbanised areas stems from a deficit in suitable wildlife habitats, but this could be countered by the potential of private gardens to contribute to providing refuge to wildlife. This design-led research project explored increasing urban biodiversity in NSW urban private gardens through the development of a home-manufacturable, DIY biomaterial, artificial wildlife shelter for bluetongue skinks. Both the material and product were designed to be home-manufacturable by unskilled users, those without technical knowledge, who have limited access to resources and equipment. Through this, individuals with access to garden spaces are provided with a way to engage in conservation actions directly and, by engaging, will also increase their nature-connectedness in promoting more eco-conscious behaviours. Additionally, this project demonstrates the potential of user-manufacturing and a DIY biomaterial in achieving sustainable outcomes. 

The project produced two core outcomes, the AdNat biomaterial and two skink shelter designs, in addition to two supplementary outcomes, two corresponding moulding processes and a maker’s manual. The biomaterial is environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, formable, self-manufacturable within the home, and has designed obsolescence when in the right conditions. To demonstrate the potential of the AdNat biomaterial, two wildlife shelters for bluetongue skinks were designed. These shelters could be manufactured at home by unskilled users, much like the material itself, using one of two mould-making processes developed. This choice of mould methods gave users the freedom to choose a method that suits their skill level and needs. To provide a way for real people to engage, the maker’s manual was constructed. This manual contains all the information needed to make the biomaterial, moulds and shelters as well as guides users on how to make their own designs.  

By developing artificial skink shelters constructed of a DIY biomaterial, this project not only designed a product that improves urban NSW private garden biodiversity but also demonstrates a sustainable, decay-by-design material and a non-skilled, home-accessible manufacturing process to provide alternatives to those currently available. 

Bio

Charlotte is an interdisciplinary Australian animator, product designer & graphic designer who is passionate about bringing an authentic and imaginative mindset to all projects. She delights in understanding and solving challenges to create the solutions that are most beneficial to the project.  

She is always broadening, practising and developing her varied skill set, ranging from artisan crafts to digital development. This understanding of a variety of different skills enables her to undertake any project from a multidisciplinary lens with a willingness to quickly adapt and learn on the project.  

Throughout her three degrees she has developed critical thinking, research and user-centered design approaches and an adaptability to a range of software and tools. She has demonstrated this through her professional practice, university studies, and personal projects which range from film, object and graphic design to service systems and UX development. 

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