This dissertation explores the role of material speculation in the context of material development and highlights its potential to broaden approaches to material design across different disciplines. The central aim of the work is to emphasise historical material knowledge, which is currently given little consideration in the development of materials, since it offers a broad spectrum of different possibilities. The thesis demonstrates that a material-speculative approach and the integration of material traditions, as defined and differentiated in this work, can build a bridge between past and future in the field of materials development. This current research closes a gap by expanding on the concept of material tradition and specifically integrating it in design. In doing so, it focuses on the value of material history, including technical and artistic aspects, as well as the potential of historic damage phenomena on material design. The research examines the question in which line of tradition material speculation is rooted. Particular attention is paid to how different disciplines deal with material, the temporal dimensions and the added value of combining different areas of expertise. 

The general hypothesis is that material traditions can serve as a knowledge source for future materials development. Following the research through design approach, a practical material exploration is carried out using Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNF) as an example, which confirms the theoretical framework. Methodologically, the dissertation combines a theory-guided discourse with process-led, experimental research. A special temporal visualisation allows for a more in-depth examination by placing theory and practice in a relationship to one another. The dissertation's contribution consists of a re-evaluation of the concept of speculation with the aim of broadening the understanding of design and initiating a redefinition. Thereby, the examination of the historical change and the increasing re-evaluation of the concept of speculation in the natural sciences of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the differentiated consideration of various hybrid expert knowledge in materials research, form the basis for the structural framework of the work. The role of materials in different disciplines is shown, whereas the value of knowledge exchange is emphasised in both theoretical and practical terms. 

The outcomes underline that a deeper understanding of material traditions that have not yet been fully used not only enables new design approaches but also provides valuable impulses for developments in the field of natural sciences, as well as strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation.The dissertation explores the significance of material speculation in the context of material development, highlighting its potential to open expanded approaches to material design across various disciplines. A central aim of this work is the limited integration of historical materiality into future designs, although it offers a wide range of possibilities. The thesis demonstrates that a speculative approach to materials and the integration of material traditions, as described and differentiated in this work, can build a bridge between past and future in material development.

The current research closes a gap by further developing the concept of material tradition and specifically integrating it into design. In doing so, it focuses on the value of material history, including technical and artistic aspects as well as the potential of damage phenomena on material design. 

The study addresses the question regarding the tradition of material speculation. Particular attention is paid to the way different disciplines deal with materials, the temporal dimension and the added value of combining different areas of expertise. Special focus is placed on the aspect of how material traditions can serve as a basis for future material developments. This is achieved through exemplary practical material exploration, which is linked to the theoretical framework.

Methodically, the thesis combines a theory-led discourse with creative, process-led research. A specially developed timeframe enables an in-depth examination by placing theory and practice in a two-way relation. 

The contribution of the dissertation is the re-evaluation of the concept of speculation in general with the aim of expanding the understanding of design and initiating new perspectives. This is achieved by examining the historical transformation and the evolving redefinition of the concept of speculation in the natural sciences of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the differentiated reflection on various hybrid expert knowledge in materials research, which forms the basis for the theoretical framework of the thesis. The research highlights the role of material in different disciplines and emphasizes the value of knowledge exchange in both theoretical and practical terms. 

The findings demonstrate that a deeper understanding of currently unused material traditions not only enables new design approaches but also provides valuable impulses for developments in the natural sciences, which also strengthens interdisciplinary cooperation.

​Supervisors:

Prof. Dr. Markus Holzbach

​Dr. Thomas Geiger