Knøv is the outcome of a material-driven design project. It was developed as an exhibition piece to demonstrate the potential of eelgrass beyond acoustic panels. Heavily inspired by the eelgrass traditions of Læsø, Knøv reconnects the material with its cultural heritage while exploring new possibilities for its use in contemporary design.
Master Project Collaboration with: Søuld
Læsø
During my research trip to Læsø, I had the opportunity to explore the island's unique eelgrass roofing tradition firsthand. I met with Henning, an experienced eelgrass thatcher, who shared his knowledge of the craft and demonstrated the techniques used to construct these distinctive roofs. The visit provided valuable insight into how eelgrass is twisted into rope and layered to create durable, weather-resistant structures. Seeing the different types of eelgrass roofs across the island highlighted the diversity of traditional building methods and deepened my understanding of eelgrass as both a cultural heritage material and a contemporary source of inspiration for sustainable design.
Convert
A visit to Convert provided valuable insight into how the material is manufactured at an industrial scale. Observing the full production process in practice gave me a clear understanding of each stage of manufacturing, from raw material processing to the finished product. The visit also helped identify potential points where alternative manufacturing methods and design interventions could be explored. These insights informed the development of my final outcome, ensuring that the design proposals were grounded in the realities and opportunities of existing production processes.
experiments
The experimental phase adopted an open, material-led approach, allowing the properties of the material to guide the design process through hands-on exploration and trial and error. A wide range of manufacturing methods was tested to better understand the material's behaviour, capabilities, and limitations. Particular attention was given to experimenting with techniques for curving and forming the material, generating key insights that informed the development of the final design.
Forming Knøv
Shapes from Læsø houses
Chair inspiration from Læsø shapes
Creating a chair
Making a chair
Knøv
