Circular Sea collection
With a focus on regenerative design, Australian company Mineral Fox is redefining what wall finishes can be. Its Circular Sea collection is a world-first innovation, transforming recycled oyster shells into a range of elegant, sustainable and high-performance wall finishes for commercial interiors.
The range emerged from company founder Karmin Kenny’s desire to introduce increased sustainability into the world of natural wall finishes. Frustrated by the limited options available in Australia, she turned to traditional materials and application methods – a process that led her to an unexpected but promising resource: oyster shells.
“Each year, about 10 million tonnes of oystershell waste is dumped either in oceans or landfill around the world,” says Kenny. “The shells are almost identical in composition to limestone and are very strong, so when crushed, they make a great alternative to virgin sand.”
To create the range, Mineral Fox partners with NGOs that collect discarded oyster shells from restaurants and seafood wholesalers. The shells are sterilised and used in reef restoration projects – a vital project, given that almost all native oyster reefs in Australia have been destroyed. Mineral Fox sponsors these NGOs to collect additional shell waste, which is then processed into aggregate for its renders and plasters.
Circular Sea brings a distinct material language to interiors – from understated, softly textured finishes to bolder expressions featuring larger shell fragments. The aesthetic can be customised by varying aggregate size and application methods including terrazzo and rammed earth, as well as custom options. Colours range from dusty pink and earthy brown to off-white and pine green, each containing flecks of opalescent oyster shell.
For Kenny, the range has myriad benefits. “It brings a link to nature through bio-based materials, a connection to Country – native oysters are a significant part of Indigenous culture – and a material storytelling that is inherently regenerative.”
“It brings a link to nature through bio-based materials, a connection to Country – native oysters are a significant part of Indigenous culture – and a material storytelling that is inherently regenerative.”
Designed and manufactured in Australia using local ingredients, Circular Sea is entirely natural – with no plastics or toxins – and contains at least 20 per cent recycled content. Oysters are vital to waterway health as natural filters, and capture about 12 per cent of their shell mass as carbon, which then becomes locked within the wall finishes throughout the building’s lifespan. The plasters and renders also meet the demands of commercial interiors – being both durable and hard-wearing – and can be removed and reprocessed at end of life.
The collection is featured in the Brisbane office of global engineering consultancy Arup, one of the few projects in Australia pursuing a Living Building Challenge certification. Designed by Hassell and located in the refurbished 123 Albert Street building, the space champions regenerative design and flexible, sustainable workspaces. Hassell selected the Circular Sea collection after it received a Highly Commended award at the 2024 Sustainable Building Awards.
The plasters and renders also meet the demands of commercial interiors – being both durable and hard-wearing – and can be removed and reprocessed at end of life.
Ultimately, the range proves that replacing conventional building materials with bio-based alternatives doesn’t mean compromising on performance, durability or aesthetic appeal. It also reflects how Mineral Fox is setting a new standard in the industry – and leading the way in sustainability.
