As part of LAUDS, José has spent time at maker to further develop Gardens in the Air, an initiative aimed at integrating greenery in the urban landscape using organic waste and sustainable design practices.

Gardens in the Air
The project builds on studio Nomad Garden and the collective Ecosistema41’s earlier work in Seville, Gardens in the Air, a vertical garden project designed to recover water waste from air conditioners in low-income neighborhoods. This new phase, Redesigning Gardens in the Air, shifts focus to soil regeneration, addressing the critical issue of urban sustainability by turning everyday organic waste into resources for healthier cities.

“Modern cities are disconnected from nature,” José explains. “We need to rethink how we use organic waste, how we cultivate soil, and how we can integrate those practices into our urban environments.”

Fostering local communities and circular economies
A key aspect in Redesigning Gardens in the Air is its community-centered approach. At maker, José has collaborated with local associations and the maker community to explore innovative solutions for urban waste and soil enrichment. Central to the project is vermiculture—the use of red worms to process organic waste into nutrient-rich humus, which can then be used to improve soil quality.

New possibilities through collaboration
The commitment from makers community has proven invaluable for José’s project. “The people here have been incredibly generous,” he reflects. “They’ve helped us access new materials, tools, and ideas, all of which have contributed to the evolution of our prototypes.” From experimenting with 3D-printed worm towers to developing biodegradable materials from organic waste.

A shift in the mindset
According to José, addressing the problem of waste requires creative thinking. Educating people on changing their behaviors is important but may not be the most effective approach. Instead, we can engage people’s curiosity by creating a circular economy around the waste they throw away. “If we create beautiful and inspiring objects from waste, people will be more likely to engage,” he explains. “That is how we can change the mindset around waste, which is one of the most critical issues in urban environments.”