Material Research

My current material research explores the development of oyster-lime based composites for use in sculpture, natural building, and coastal restoration applications. Rooted in the environmental conditions of South Louisiana, this work investigates how discarded regional waste streams can be transformed into regenerative building and reef materials that support both ecological restoration and public engagement.

As part of this research, I built a small-scale kiln system to process reclaimed oyster shells into lime for experimental cement and plaster formulations. Through iterative testing, I am studying combinations of oyster lime with supplementary cementitious materials to better understand durability, curing behavior, structural performance, and long-term environmental potential. This process draws from both traditional lime technologies and contemporary material science while exploring alternatives to high-carbon conventional cement systems.

Alongside oyster-lime research, I am developing low-carbon composite materials using forged bayou glass clippings and recycled glass sand sourced from Glass Half Full. These experiments investigate the potential for locally sourced recycled aggregates to function within sculptural casting, architectural surfaces, and ecologically responsive public artworks. My broader goal is to create materials that not only reduce waste and embodied carbon, but also contribute positively to the environments in which they are placed.

This research extends into ongoing investigations surrounding modular artificial reef systems and habitat-supportive sculpture. I am interested in how art and material experimentation can intersect with coastal resilience efforts through the development of reef structures designed to support oyster recruitment, marine habitat formation, and shoreline stabilization over time.

In collaboration with Climate Culture, I also developed reef restoration-inspired trophies for a Mardi Gras bar recycling challenge, using environmentally conscious materials and forms informed by oyster reefs and coastal systems. Projects like these reflect my larger interest in creating artworks and public objects that operate simultaneously as cultural artifacts, environmental interventions, and catalysts for collective engagement.