by foraging biomaterials, shreya dwivedi envisions modern interiors as living ecosystems

Earthing Interiority: exploring placelesness in modern interiors

Interdisciplinary designer Shreya Dwivedi presents Earthing Interiority, her recent graduate project from Parsons School of Design. The work explores the intersection of nature, culture, bioregionalism, and interior design, reimagining the globalized domestic interior by integrating foraged local biomaterials into a closed-loop, self-sufficient living ecosystem within a standardized urban dwelling in New York City. The project addresses the issue of placelessness in modern interiors by fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the land.

‘Globalization has blurred the line separating local and global, and spaces, regardless of their geographical origin, look and are experienced similarly. This results in sameness and placelessness, causing alienation from local culture, traditions, and unique contexts. At a time when it’s fairly easy to move around and find ‘home’ in different cultural contexts, how can we cultivate a sense of belonging and connection to the land?

Shreya Dwivedi forages biomaterials to create living ecosystems

For Earthing Interiority, Shreya Dwivedi draws on her cultural background, a traditional Indian philosophy of using regional, naturally occurring ingredients in building materials to connect with the land. These include seaweed, oyster shells, moss, and driftwood. This approach not only transforms interiors into living ecosystems, creating social and ecological connections, but is low-carbon and fosters a relationship of care and reciprocity between the space, place, and inhabitants. Even more, as the designer describes it, foraged materials become active participants, not passive components, creating a further sense of grounding for those dwelling within these otherwise impersonal placeless domestic environments.

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project info:

name: Earthing Interiority – Reimagining Urban Domesticity using Locally Foraged Material

designer: Shreya Dwivedi | @shreyadee_works

part of: Parsons School of Design