Seaweed and Algae Waste Become Bespoke Interior Textiles in Copenhagen

Natural Material Studio has created bespoke bio-textile installations for the renovated Sticks’n’Sushi restaurant in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen. The project shows how organic waste from the hospitality sector can become a valuable material resource for interior architecture and spatial design.

Bio-Textiles Developed from Food Waste

The Copenhagen-based studio designed a custom lighting feature and a series of norens, traditional Japanese textile dividers, for the restaurant interior. Studio Emily Broom commissioned the project as part of the restaurant’s renovation.

Natural Material Studio developed the textiles specifically for the space using its in-house bio-material recipes. The studio adapted the material composition to include leftover seaweed and algae collected from the restaurant’s kitchen waste stream. By doing so, the project creates a direct connection between the restaurant’s cuisine and its interior environment.

The seaweed fibres remain visible within the material surface and give the textiles a layered, almost painterly appearance. The organic patterns add texture and visual depth while reinforcing the marine character of the restaurant.

Circular Materials for Interior Design

The project highlights the growing use of bio-based materials in hospitality and interior architecture. Instead of using virgin resources, the studio transformed food waste into functional interior elements. This approach supports circular design principles and demonstrates how local waste streams can contribute to material innovation.

The norens help organise the interior while adding softness and tactility to the space. The lighting element diffuses light gently and enhances the atmosphere of the restaurant. Together, the installations create a cohesive material identity rooted in the restaurant’s culinary concept.

Material Innovation with a Strong Narrative

Natural Material Studio continues to explore how regenerative and waste-based materials can move into commercial interior applications. In this project, the material itself communicates the story behind its origin. The embedded algae and seaweed create a visual reminder of the restaurant’s ingredients and waste flow.

As interest in bio-fabrication and circular materials grows, projects like this show how designers can combine sustainability, storytelling and sensory experience within architectural interiors.

Source & photos: Natural Material Studio / Studio Emily Broom