{"id":2924,"date":"2026-08-19T14:58:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T17:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/?p=2924"},"modified":"2026-08-24T11:02:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T14:02:13","slug":"sould-turns-seagrass-into-sustainable-building-material-reviving-a-400-year-old-danish-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/?p=2924","title":{"rendered":"S\u00f8uld Turns Seagrass Into Sustainable Building Material, Reviving a 400-Year-Old Danish Tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The \u201cComposed Matter\u201d installation features acoustic panels made from S\u00f8uld eelgrass at the 3daysofdesign 2026 festival in Copenhagen. Photo: Jonas Bjerre Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danish company unveiled a line of acoustic panels made from eelgrass at the 3daysofdesign 2026 festival in Copenhagen, featuring an installation designed by Norm Architects<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

COPENHAGEN,<\/strong> Danish company S\u00f8uld has developed a line of acoustic products made from eelgrass, a plant abundant along Denmark’s coastline and capable of storing carbon, aiming to replace synthetic materials in construction. Founded in 2010 by a group of architects and engineers specializing in sustainable design, the company revived a building technique dating back to the 17th century on the island of L\u00e6s\u00f8 and adapted it to meet contemporary demands in residential and commercial architecture. At the 2026 edition of the 3daysofdesign festival, the brand presented the installation “Composed Matter,” created in partnership with the Norm Architects studio and the companies Sumum and Motarasu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captured in aerial footage in the documentary “Europe From Above” (National Geographic), which showed the historic seagrass houses on the island of L\u00e6s\u00f8, Denmark’s tradition of using sea grasses in architecture has taken on an entirely modern form in today’s market. Local companies, including S\u00f8uld, have taken this ancestral concept and industrialized it, turning marine plants into high-tech acoustic panels that, according to the company, carry a negative carbon footprint for contemporary buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acoustic panels, wall coverings and thermal comfort solutions make up S\u00f8uld’s portfolio, all manufactured from eelgrass. According to the company, the material offers high acoustic performance, fire resistance, low emission of toxic compounds and the ability to regulate indoor humidity. An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) published by the company details the reduced environmental impact of its production chain compared with synthetic alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five Founders, One Shared Mission<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Architects and engineers are behind the company’s founding. S\u00f8uld was established by architects Tobias \u00d8hrstr\u00f8m and Pi Fabrin, sustainable design engineers Gunnar Agerskov and Kirsten Lynge, and Henning Johansen, a master craftsman specializing in eelgrass roofing. Together, the five set out to develop a material that would combine carbon storage, structural safety and health benefits for end users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kirsten Lynge, Tobias \u00d8hrstr\u00f8m and Mads Arentoft, S\u00f8uld’s management team, at the company’s office. Photo: Andreas Pless<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Company leadership is currently held by co-founders Kirsten Lynge and Tobias \u00d8hrstr\u00f8m, alongside partner Mads Arentoft. More than 10 years of research underpin the industrialization process for eelgrass, according to the company, which describes itself as the first to convert the plant into a building material with carbon dioxide storage properties, combining acoustic performance, durability and fire safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaborative work with local farmers, municipalities and ecologists has ensured that harvesting the plant preserves natural eelgrass meadows along the Danish coast, the company says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origins on the L\u00e6s\u00f8 Coast<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

On the island of L\u00e6s\u00f8, north of Jutland, 17th-century residents facing timber shortages turned to the sea to build their homes. There, eelgrass grew in underwater beds and washed ashore after autumn storms. High salt content in the water gave the plant properties that made it resistant to decomposition, allowing its use as a roofing material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A traditional house with a sea-grass roof on the island of L\u00e6s\u00f8, a technique dating back to the 17th century. Photo: Christian M\u00f8ller Andersen\/S\u00f8uld<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fishermen and salt producers made up most of the island’s population at the time. While men went out to fish, women applied weaving techniques to build eelgrass roofs, now known as “seaweed houses,” a method with no recorded precedent elsewhere in the world. Shipwreck timber collected from the beaches served as structural framing, and natural salt impregnation in both the wood and the plant gave the buildings centuries of durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zostera harvest carried out in partnership with local farmers and environmentalists on the Danish coast. Photo: Christian M\u00f8ller Andersen\/S\u00f8uld<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roof performance improved over time. Eelgrass solidified into a compact, waterproof, fire-resistant mass with insulating properties. By the early 20th century, an estimated 250 homes on L\u00e6s\u00f8 still used roofs built with the technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing construction demands led to the practice’s abandonment in the 1930s. Decades passed with the technique forgotten until a group of local artisans revived the traditional knowledge. Experiments carried out with farmers on the islands of M\u00f8n and Bog\u00f8 helped researchers relearn methods for harvesting and drying fresh eelgrass, a step essential to achieving the material’s desired qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zostera grows in underwater beds along the Danish coastline. Photo: Christian M\u00f8ller Andersen\/S\u00f8uld<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Craft Tradition to Industrial Scale<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Heir to that tradition, S\u00f8uld invested more than 10 years in research and development to adapt the ancestral technique to modern industrial processes. Resulting from that work is a product line that combines the craft knowledge of L\u00e6s\u00f8’s weavers with cutting-edge technology, enabling larger-scale manufacturing without sacrificing the plant’s natural properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Close-up of Zostera fiber, the raw material used in S\u00f8uld’s acoustic panels. Photo: Christian M\u00f8ller Andersen\/S\u00f8uld<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High mineral salt content in eelgrass gives the material low susceptibility to mold and bacteria, according to the company, a characteristic that adds to its thermal and acoustic performance. Spaces finished with the brand’s products gain sound comfort, humidity regulation and a sensory connection to nature, the company says, noting that the material carries a light scent of the sea when applied indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior designers and architects make up S\u00f8uld’s primary customer base, with products aimed at both residential and commercial projects. Organic, tactile textures characterize the surfaces the company manufactures, an element associated with spaces seeking calm atmospheres and a connection to natural references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ribbed texture of acoustic panels made from processed eelgrass. Photo: Jonas Bjerre Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen\/S\u00f8uld<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon Capture as a Competitive Edge<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Eelgrass absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide as it grows in the sea. Once incorporated into construction, it functions as a carbon reservoir, a characteristic that sets the material apart from synthetic options widely used in the industry. For S\u00f8uld, this attribute represents one of the central pillars of its market positioning, aligned with growing demand for environmentally sustainable, low-impact building solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The light fixture is part of the installation \u201cComposed Matter,\u201d which explored light, shadow, and the materiality of Zostera. Photo: Jonas Bjerre Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low emission of harmful substances and the absence of toxic chemicals also rank among the properties the company highlights. Such characteristics respond to growing concern in the construction sector over indoor air quality and the health effects of conventional materials on building occupants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A table with a Zostera base is part of the \u201cComposed Matter\u201d exhibition in Copenhagen. Photo: Jonas Bjerre Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements related to the origin and life cycle of building materials have intensified in recent years among regulators and environmental certification bodies. Against that backdrop, the EPD published by S\u00f8uld aims to provide transparency about its line’s environmental performance, a document increasingly required by architects during sustainable building certification processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An acoustic panel with built-in lighting is part of the \u201cComposed Matter\u201d exhibition, designed by Norm Architects. Photo: Jonas Bjerre Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaborations and Art Installations<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Projects with designers, artists and curators extend the material’s reach beyond functional applications. Within these collaborations, S\u00f8uld’s acoustic panels become part of spatial narratives that highlight the aesthetic, sensory and architectural qualities of eelgrass, revealing texture and depth from new perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norm Architects curated the “Composed Matter” exhibition, which brought together three brands with distinct aesthetic languages: S\u00f8uld, Sumum and Motarasu, at the 2026 edition of 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. Materials, light and space interacted throughout the show to shape visitors’ sensory experience, with materiality at the center of the exhibition’s narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hand-finished surfaces, light and eelgrass did not appear in the exhibition as merely functional elements but as carriers of atmosphere, texture and meaning, according to the show’s description. A series of installations gradually revealed each material’s properties through tactility, rhythm, reflection and absorption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isolated objects gave way, under the curatorial approach, to a broader spatial composition. Materials, light and form entered into dialogue throughout the exhibition, showing how careful design and materiality shape perception and atmosphere within a space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shadow and light played an active role in the composition, with surfaces that responded to lighting and displayed depth and subtle variation. Smooth geometries guided visitors’ circulation through the exhibition space, while moments of compression and openness shifted the show’s tone. Curators invited the public to observe how small material gestures can transform the perception of a space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Material Rooted in Danish Culture<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Short distances from the sea characterize nearly all of Danish territory, and that proximity is reflected in the identity of S\u00f8uld’s products. Company officials say the material carries the same sense of calm the ocean provides, an attribute that extends to the interior spaces where it is applied, creating a restorative connection with nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zostera ceiling cladding provides acoustic and thermal comfort to this Danish home. Photo: Courtesy of S\u00f8uld<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local cultural ties also underpin the company’s brand positioning. By reviving a building practice with four centuries of history, S\u00f8uld claims not only technological innovation but also the preservation of a Danish intangible heritage nearly extinct over the course of the 20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding, S\u00f8uld has committed to protecting the eelgrass ecosystem. Harvesting is carried out in partnership with farmers, municipalities and ecologists to avoid negative impacts on natural meadows along the Danish coast, the company says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founders’ Multidisciplinary Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Backgrounds in architecture and sustainable design engineering define S\u00f8uld’s founding team, giving the company an approach that integrates technical knowledge of eelgrass harvesting, industrial manufacturing processes and circular design principles. Combined, that expertise results, according to the company, in an intimate understanding of the construction sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Market innovation through natural, functional and aesthetically sophisticated materials is the team’s stated goal, aimed at meeting the demands of contemporary architects and interior designers. Lasting value for end users of buildings is cited by the company as the expected outcome of that strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Expansion Through Industry Events<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Design fairs and international festivals have served as a showcase for S\u00f8uld to present its products to a broader audience of architects and specifiers. Participation in the 2026 edition of 3daysofdesign, one of Scandinavia’s leading industry events, reinforces the company’s strategy of positioning eelgrass as a viable, aesthetically relevant alternative to traditional synthetic acoustic materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifiers on commercial and residential projects have shown growing interest in building solutions with proven environmental credentials, a trend that directly benefits companies like S\u00f8uld. Detailed technical documentation, such as the EPD published by the company, has become an increasingly common requirement in bidding and certification processes for sustainable projects worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than a decade of research culminated in S\u00f8uld’s consolidation as a reference point in eelgrass processing for construction purposes. Technical teams at the company continue, it says, to pursue ongoing improvements in product quality and to develop solutions that meet both industry requirements and end-user needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mounting pressure to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector, which accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions according to international environmental monitoring bodies, defines the industry’s current landscape. Amid that pressure, bio-based materials like eelgrass are gaining ground as alternatives capable of combining technical performance with a carbon-sink function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revival of local craft traditions, such as the L\u00e6s\u00f8 technique, also speaks to a broader movement in contemporary architecture toward valuing regional knowledge and low-impact materials. S\u00f8uld positions itself within that context as an example of how historical practices can be reinterpreted to address current environmental challenges without compromising modern standards of safety and technical performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information: www.sould.dk<\/a> | Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sould.dk\/<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The \u201cComposed Matter\u201d installation features acoustic panels made from S\u00f8uld eelgrass at the 3daysofdesign 2026 festival in Copenhagen. Photo: Jonas Bjerre Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen Danish company unveiled a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2924"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2924\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2947,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2924\/revisions\/2947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archgallerydesign.art.br\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}