Calcium carbonate(CaCO3) is a common material widely spread on Earth; it is dissolved in rivers and lakes; we can find it in skeletons and shells; it forms "tufa" and "stalagmites"; it builds up caves and mountains and it is also in our kettles and water pipes. It has various applications in our life in agriculture, food industry, glass industry and cement production. However, the main resource of limestone nowadays is mostly from quarries, we extract from the land and create messy "tailings" in the landscape. What kind of alternatives could we find in our surroundings?
One of the forms of calcium carbonate is "limescale", a matter we produce in our water softening processes yet is often overlooked and discarded. In my research, I attempt to reintroduce limescale as a promising material to build and live with. I research how to reconfigure limescale and focus on creating "geopolymers", a chemical process to bind inorganic materials together. Based on the material research, I speculate what a "neo stone age" would look like, and how this harvesting and production method could be integrated into the city, and change both our interiors and exteriors. Can we become Earth dwellers in this domesticated landscape?
Awards
SAT, MAR 05, 2022 Updated
Neo Stone Age_Domesticating limestone
Neostone Table_photo-by-Eric De Vries
Neostone_biodegradable pot
Neostone Home accessory_photo-by-Jo Yi
Neostone bowl-with lime pellets
Samples-with slags
Sample-limescale from former swimming pool
Sample-limestone powder
Buildings morphology
Circularity Scenario