Notgroundbreaking is a biodesign and research practise, harnessing decomposition as a tool for more sustainable and circular design.

Every cotton T-shirt starts as a plant, but not every cotton T-shirt can end up as one. In an ideal world, that which comes out of the ground could safely return to it. Natural fibres such as cotton and linen could be broken down into valuable nutrients.

But as grown fibres get processed into textiles they often get somehow modified  - chemically finished, dyed and printed. The impacts of degrading these substances in compost are understudied and poorly understood. 
 
When textiles are not designed with their lifecycle in mind, their afterlife is an afterthought. What are the opportunities we are missing?

While recycling remains essential in addressing fashion's waste crisis, eventually waste becomes obsolete. For us, decomposition offers a distinct pathway forward. 

Can we redefine this waste as a raw material? Starting from the end of the cycle Notgroundbreaking is sourcing obsolete, undyed textiles, such as hotel towels and linens, and, with the aid of 9 billion bacteria, fungi, worms, insects, and more, exploring an alternative where we could 'grow' our way out of existing textile waste. 

Our material choices have consequences, but also hidden potential. How can we design for healthy environments? 

The aim of Decomposition Library is to provide an opportunity to improve material literacy and re-introduce the topic of soil health and material lifecycle to the design process.