This research reflects on the role of Design in the dissemination of the “Living Surfaces” project, which is a shared project between MARE – IPL, a marine and environmental sciences centre, and LiDA, both research units from the Polytechnic of Leiria. This project aims to repopulate an area in the coast of Peniche with an endangered species of sea urchin, due to overexploitation and habitat loss. This species, Paracentrotus Lividus, commonly known as the purple sea urchin, presents a range of colours that inspired much of the work.

This research explores the collaboration between Design and Marine Biology, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex contemporary issues, such as biodiversity loss.

The project adopts an exploratory Design methodology centred on the concept of Ecological Well-being and the United Nations One Health framework, prioritizing the health and sustainability of ecosystems over traditional human-centred approaches.

By focusing on the species to be protected, rather than solely on human perspectives, this research aims for a deeper understanding of the ecological roles of sea urchins and seeks to foster empathy towards the species, through Design methods. This approach highlights the value of non-human life and considers the socio-economic implications of biodiversity loss and preservation.

A crucial goal of this research is to understand Design’s role in the communication of scientific knowledge to a broader audience, making use of Design’s unique capacity to translate concepts, ideas, and experiences.

This project consisted of an exploratory research that lays the foundations for a study of a coastal ecosystem, starting at the microscopic scale of sea urchin larvae.

This project aims to raise public awareness and foster empathy towards the preservation of sea urchins and their habitats, thereby contributing to a discourse on Ecological Well-being and sustainable environmental practices mediated by Design.

The field research occurred during a larval development experiment at MARE-IPL, under the guidance of a marine biologist, Dr Sílvia Lourenço.

Research outputs formed the basis for open science interdisciplinary activities, aimed at younger generations and families, that express this symbiotic relation between Design and Marine Biology. In these activities, knowledge about sea urchins is provided mainly through questions intended to provoke curiosity (e.g. How many teeth do sea urchins have?), and participants are invited to create sea urchin characters, and asked if they want to take their urchins with them or add them to the sea urchin gallery.

Event participation:

22.11.24 | MARE-IPL Open Day | Open Science

17-21.02.25 | RUN-EU Student Research Colloquium 2025 | Poster and Communication

22.03.25 and 29.03.25 | International Festival of the Sea Urchin | Open Science

28.03.25 | Sustentamente: Educate for a Sustainable Future | Open Science

25.03.25 — 29.06.25 | Bienal Arte & Design Funchal | Exhibition