‘Nai Waan’ (泥玩) : designing working relationships with soil

Abstract

This paper studies human effects of engagement with soil in the context of Nai Waan (Soil Trust), an experimental farm studio in Hong Kong. It was a research collaboration between a farmer, design school, and hotel. Its purpose was to upcycle food waste for regenerating local soil. The eco–social design undertaking prioritised collective work formats, intersectoral collaboration, and the reuse of locally available materials and logistics. From extensive field material, this paper analyzes how volunteers’ relationship to soil evolved including its organic, physical, and affinitive aspects. The paper contributes to emerging design discussions on soil health and other nonhuman forms of life.