Attribution of meanings to eco-materials through the expressive-sensory experience

Abstract

In recent years we are witnessing the spread of plastic materials with ecological characteristics derived from food waste that, if on the one hand, they solve some problems related to the environmental impact, on the other hand are often considered poor, unreliable and unsightly, and so little regarded. The possibility of giving them a specific “personality” and thus to define and enhance the aesthetic character may contribute to their widespread use. The paper presents the results of a research experience as part of a Design Course held in the Department of Architecture of Pescara. The research focuses mainly on one aspect: to explore how eco-friendly materials are used for the creation of meanings and how they get different meanings in different user products. The research objective was to verify whether it is possible to attribute, through the expressive-sensory experience, specific “meanings” to ecological materials, thus starting the definition of their own specific “personalities”.