2025

Glasgow School of Art, Scotland

Duration: 4 months

Master Thesis project

case study of Designing for Life Affirmation in commercial setting

A Life Affirming take on Kånken Classic, Kånken Breath is a Living Artefact that, through the photosynthetic microalgae embedded in the hemp fabric, is able to purify air as it moves through the world.

Reciprocity

The life journey of Kånken Breath is all about regeneration and life affirmation. This backpack is a living companion that needs you to care for it to keep it alive.

Through this, we build deeper relationships with our surroundings and give forward — cleaner air and healthier soils to future generations.

Care Kit

This backpack is a living companion that needs you to care for it to keep it alive. Like humans, the microalgae need air, water, and sunshine. Why not go for a walk outside in the drizzle?

If it needs a clean, use the sponge provided. Do you want the bottom of the bag to be a bit more water-resistant? Use the wax provided.

Algae

As Denmark — my home country — has a longstanding issue with algae blooms and oxygen depletion, microalgae became the organism I co-designed the Life Affirming Artefact with.

Over the course of a summer, Ørestad Vandlaug in Copenhagen will clear away 40 – 50 tons of microalgae from the canals, lakes, and water drainage systems in the district.

The System

Through Fjällräven we explore the systems this project proposes a reconfiguration of, utilise Fjällräven’s existing customer base, and help prove the feasibility of this proposal.

A key product for Fjällräven is the Kånken backpack. While durable, the Kånken Classic is entirely synthetic.

can using something familiar — Kånken Classic — make the transition to new practices easier?

The Power of Algae

Algae sequester carbon as they grow, using photosynthesis to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen.

Algae have been called Earth’s lungs, and whilst this is an oversimplification, it is true, according to NASA, that phytoplankton have produced about half of all oxygen on Earth.

Principle Booklets

As part of the exhibition of this project, I have created booklets containing the Principles for Designing for Life Affirmation.

These booklets are made from paper waste accumulated throughout this project.

nature is an active participant

living microalgae are an integral part of Kånken Breath — it is literally what gives the bag life supporting the conditions necessary for life to flourish

the microalgae reminds us of algae blooming and resulting oxygen depletion, whilst helping us turn a detrimental consequence of human choices into something positive

cultures of care and collaboration acknowledge the interconnected networks, interdependence, and intra-action of all life and understand that thriving is a collective effort

you are in a collaborative relationship with your Kånken Breath, as you depend on each other for mutual flourishing

Kånken Breath reminds us of our dependence on our surrounding environment, and how our choices as humans impact not only us, but all of nature — who is us

who is not in the room when we make decisions

informed and formed by the specific capacities and needs of the humans and non-humans to whom it relates

the microalgae reminds us of its immense power and importance — it’s been called Earth’s lungs by NASA

the microalgae reminds us of how our choices and actions shape our realities, often in disparate ways

by considering potential long-term impacts, we try to anticipate unintended consequences

and embody a deeper intentionality in our decision-making

the end-of-life is an integral part of Kånken Breath’s design; made from compostable and regenerative materials, it will leave a positive footprint through cleaner air and healthier soil

the bag originated as a bridge between our present and a future informed by Life Affirming practices

embracing the temporality of the living organisms involved includes use, aesthetics, and end-of-life

Kånken Breath is a living, breathing backpack due to the photosynthetic microalgae embedded within it

it will look different to a traditional bag throughout its lifetime

at the end of its life, Kånken Breath can be composted, enriching the soil in which it begins its second life

connected to their place of birth

keeping value within the local nature-culture ecosystem

materials are sourced locally — microalgae from Danish water systems, hemp textile produced in Denmark

local problems (algae blooms and oxygen depletion) become local solutions (living, breathing backpacks that purifies air)

mutual dependence leads

to mutual flourishing

reciprocity is collective, as it embodies a mutual exchange between multiple entities

care for the bag and keep the algae alive, the bag will care for you by purifying your air

through care, you build a relationship with the bag — it becomes a living companion with its own needs

regeneration encompasses the renewal, regrowth, or restoration of biotic or abiotic entities

the microalgae helps raise awareness of detrimental algae blooming and resulting oxygen depletion

algae bloom is moved from a context it is harmful in to one it can help restore environments sullied by human behaviour