DeepForest³ is a microbial architectural installation developed by ecoLogicStudio in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck and the Bartlett UCL. The project is part of the We the Bacteria: Notes Toward Biotic Architecture exhibition at the 24th International Exposition of La Triennale di Milano, curated by Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley. The installation proposes a domestic space structured as an active microbial ecosystem. It utilizes biotechnological systems to establish a functional relationship between architecture, biological processes, and environmental conditions. The spatial arrangement includes components that perform photosynthesis, biodegradation, and carbon storage, forming an integrated biotic infrastructure.

At the center of the installation are three types of architectural components: Photosynthesizers, Biodegraders, and Carbon storers. Photosynthesizers, filled with 50 liters of living cyanobacteria, actively capture CO₂ from the gallery environment and convert it into oxygen and biomass. These glass vessels are arranged to form a breathable membrane, both wall and filter, alive with metabolic activity. Biodegraders, built from 3D printed bark-like shells made of algae biopolymers, host living mycelium networks. These fungi feed on spent coffee grounds, a readily available urban waste, and grow into dense, fibrous forms that line the space like living insulation, mimicking salvaged birch trunks but grown from synthetic matter. Carbon storers, such as reclaimed wood elements and active lichen colonies, integrate with these systems to stabilize and reframe the aesthetics of waste as beauty, turning the byproducts of decay into architectural ornament.

all images by Xiao Wang, courtesy of ecoLogicStudio and the Synthetic Landscape Lab

ecoLogicStudio merges biology with digital fabrication

The design strategy followed by ecoLogicStudio’s team aligns the architectural system with Italy’s history of landscape engineering, drawing a comparison between historical interventions and microbial resilience. The spatial configuration compresses forest ecologies into a controlled interior scale. Floor and wall assemblies incorporate engraved and porous substrates, enabling air exchange, moisture retention, and microbial colonization. ‘We are now more and more aware that our own nature is cyborgian and collective, and that our own identities extend far beyond the limits of our bodies. We are microbial ecosystems, we are algorithmic networks. It is a necessary consequence that our home becomes an extension of these ecosystems and networks. Our home is our microbiome,’ shares Prof. Claudia Pasquero.

The installation emphasizes visibility of technical systems. Algae growth chambers, mycelial substrates, air and CO₂ pumps remain exposed, functioning as both operative systems and formal features. This approach integrates the mechanical and biological processes into the architectural language rather than concealing them. ‘The installation aims to celebrate the first time microbial architecture enters the Italian temple of design, the Milano Triennale. I think this is an epochal moment. For this reason, we took great care in its design and detailing. DeepForest³ is really more than just a temporary installation, it delivers a fully functional and tangible biotechnological living system, grounded in the metabolic cycles of algae and fungi, but brought to life through bespoke digital design and unique material craftsmanship,’ comments Dr. Marco Poletto.

DeepForest³ installation presented at the 24th International Exposition of La Triennale di Milano

DeepForest³ exhibits open-source biotechnological integration

A secondary feature of the installation is the Zolla bench, made from modular cork blocks and honeycomb cardboard base. The bench is designed for live mycelium cultivation, which gradually transforms the surface through colonization and mushroom growth. This component demonstrates real-time material transformation and user interaction with biologically active surfaces. The installation supports cyclical material use, passive environmental modulation, and open-source system integration. It is conceived as a domestic prototype for future biotechnological applications in architecture, emphasizing accessible and distributed cultivation of photosynthetic and fungal organisms within built environments.

DeepForest³ forms part of an ongoing research initiative by ecoLogicStudio and the Synthetic Landscape Lab. Parallel projects include Tree.One, Bio.Lab, FundamentAI, and CryoflorE, which extend this inquiry across multiple international venues including the Venice Architecture Biennale, Bundeskunsthalle Bonn, and MUDAC Lausanne. The installation opens to the public on May 12th, 2025.

visible systems turn the walls into a living, cyber-organic laboratory

air pumps circulate air and CO₂, supporting algae and mycelium growth

engaged with the living installation

Carbon storer made from reclaimed trees and 3d printed barks

Carbon storer made from reclaimed trees and 3d printed barks

Photosynthesizers and AIReactor in action

Zolla bench is composed of mycelium colonizing cork, with mushrooms starting to sprout

project info:

name: DeepForest³

designer: ecoLogicStudio | @ecologicstudio

location: Milan, Italy

lead designers: Prof. Claudia Pasquero, Dr. Marco Poletto

commissioner: Triennale di Milano

exhibition curators: Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley

academic partners: Synthetic Landscape Lab IOUD Innsbruck University, Urban Morphogenesis Lab BPRO The Bartlett UCL

design team: Prof. Claudia Pasquero, Dr. Marco Poletto, Jasper Zehetgruber, Francesca Turi, Alessandra Poletto

prototyping support team: Jonas Wohlgenannt, Korbinian Enzinger, Felix Humml, Bo Liu, Mika Schulz, Michael Unterberger, Marco Matteraglia, Beyza Nur Armağan, Beatriz Gonzalez Arechiga and Xiao Wang

photographer: Xiao Wang

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post ecoLogicStudio reimagines domesticity through microbial installation at triennale milano appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The year 2024 saw designers and architects reimagine material applications in more sustainable and environmentally responsible ways. Zero-waste alternatives replaced traditional construction methods, as seen in ReGrow Willow’s hybrid material system that combines willow and pressed earth for architectural applications. Projects like André Kong Studio’s mushroom mycelium brick pavilion in New York and Studio dreiSt’s recyclable canteen furniture crafted from construction waste pushed the boundaries of conventional techniques.

Natural materials once considered waste emerged taking the place of synthetic options, such as Studio Sanne Visser’s use of human hair yarn applied on furniture and accessories. From Gisung Han’s decomposable stool made of wildflower seeds and potato-based plastic to Studio Arp’s pendant lamp shaped from leather derived from citrus waste, these projects embraced circular design principles. Our 2024 big stories include Mengyan Guo’s sculptural clothing collection crafted from discarded tea leaves, upcycled stools made from spent shower sponges and coffee grounds designed by Columbia University students, and Laura Bordini’s packaging series, which repurposes microalgae and industrial waste biomass to promote ecological regeneration. designboom rounds up 2024’s top 10 projects that stood out for their creative use of materials for practical, and sustainable designs.

FROM CHOW TO CHAIR: UPCYCLED STOOLS MADE FROM SPENT SHOWER SPONGES AND COFFEE GROUNDS

image courtesy of Justin Wan

The Luffa Stoolita explores the potential application of plant-based by-products, particularly their subsequent food wastes, as alternative materials for furniture design and construction. Realized by Columbia University GSAPP master’s students Justin Wan, Paul Edward Liu, and Tim Ting-Hao Chen, the project challenges conventional materiality in the realm of sustainable furniture, while prompting reflection on responsible consumption and waste management. By upcycling natural waste materials, the stool design demonstrates the possibility of extending the life cycle of food beyond its short-lived consumerist lifespan aligned with low-impact design solutions to address the issue of food waste. To ensure environmental sustainability, all materials used in the research and design project are locally sourced. 

read more here

LAURA BORDINI REPURPOSES MICROALGAE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE BIOMASS TO NOURISH PLANT LIFE

image courtesy of Laura Bordini

Laura Bordini’s By Osmosis explores a circular process in which waste generated by one process becomes nourishment for another. The project showcases the potential of ‘growing materials’, particularly microalgae, in promoting ecological regeneration by actively contributing to fostering plant life.

Using biomass derived from the death of microorganisms recovered from industrial waste centers, the designer demonstrates how this product can be transformed into a biomaterial that stimulates plant growth. Bordini presents a series of products, such as packaging materials, designed to be planted and function as agricultural biostimulants.

read more here

VIENNA’S CONSTRUCTION WASTE BECOMES RECYCLABLE FURNITURE FOR CANTEEN BY STUDIO DREIST

image by Paul Sebesta, courtesy of Studio dreiSt

Bioregional design practice Studio dreiSt unveils Biofabrique canteen, the modular hospitality area of Vienna Design Week 2024. Designed in collaboration with the material-driven project Biofabrique Vienna, the canteen incorporates 1,700 handmade ceramic tiles glazed with metro excavation clay, demonstrating how materials like clay from Vienna metro construction sites and food production residuals can be repurposed into long-lasting, recyclable building components. The golden-brown surface of the ceramic glaze is derived from subway excavation clay and carbolime, while energy-efficient materials like Carbo and Adobe bricks are utilized to construct bar tables and counters.

read more here

HUMAN HAIR SPINS INTO YARN IN STUDIO SANNE VISSER’S INSTALLATION FOR LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL

image by Rocio Chacon

Material design research practice Studio Sanne Visser introduces Locally Grown, an interactive installation exploring human hair as an innovative, sustainable material. Presented at the Material Matters Fair during the London Design Festival, the project invites visitors to engage with the full process, from live haircuts to hair spinning and rope-making demonstrations, resulting in an exhibition of design objects made from hair. The installation emphasizes collaboration and circular economy, featuring contributions from nine studios, including Helen Kirkum Studio, Lauren MacDonald, and Wilkinson & Rivera, who integrate Visser’s hair-based materials into a variety of products, ranging from high-quality interior objects to unique accessories.

Sanne Visser emphasizes the collaborative spirit behind her work, stating, ‘I work independently, but I would never say I work alone.’  This ethos is at the heart of the installation, blending collective creativity, ecological responsibility, and innovative design with sustainable material solutions.

read more here

MYCELIUM BRICK PAVILION BY ANDRE KONG STUDIO SPROUTS IN NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS

image by Marlon Co for NYBG

Homegrown Wonderland is an organic garden pavilion created by andre kong studio for the New York Botanical Garden’s latest exhibition. As Wonderland: Curious Nature explores the fantastical world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures, the installation features bricks grown from mycelium—the root structure of mushrooms. This innovative materiality reflects the scene where Alice consumes a mushroom and grows rapidly, evoking a whimsical transformation as she outgrows the White Rabbit’s cottage.

Engineered by Arup, the pavilion juxtaposes a quaint, aged timber-frame cottage, scaled down to create an intimate setting, with unexpected walls crafted from full-sized mycelium bricks. The pavilion will be dismantled after its display in the gardens, with the mycelium bricks composted, and the timber will be reused.

read more here

GISUNG HAN’S POTATO PLASTIC-BASED STOOL BLOOMS INTO WILDFLOWERS AS IT DECOMPOSES

image courtesy of Gisung Han

Gisung Han’s Blooming Decay Stool is made from wildflower seeds and potato-based plastic, designed to bloom into flowers as it decomposes. The project stems from the designer’s desire to create various types of bioplastics with artful, sustainable principles and with manufacturability in mind.

‘Does a chair designed with sustainable principles always need to be durable and long-lasting? How about a chair that breaks easily, becoming more beautiful as it deteriorates?’ Han questions. As a result, the stool embraces the beauty of disappearance, envisioned to be disposable and biodegradable, naturally dispersing seeds back into the environment as it ages.

read more here

‘REGROW WILLOW’ POSES HYBRID EARTH CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM STRENGTHENED WITH DIGITAL FABRICATION

image courtesy of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

ReGrow Willow presents an innovative hybrid material system that pairs the tensile strength of willow with the compressive strength of earth for architectural applications. Developed by professorships at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), this comprehensive construction process leverages bespoke digital fabrication and computational tools to advance the synergistic combination of the two natural materials. Embracing lightweight, mobile, and adaptable fabrication equipment, the project embodies a low-impact design philosophy to reduce energy and material consumption, offering a sustainable structural alternative to reinforced concrete.

Championing a circular ethos, the project further seeks to integrate alternative materials and closed-loop systems into construction practices, addressing resource depletion and waste generation. By disrupting the traditional linear model of take, make, and dispose, ReGrow Willow aims to establish a waste-free and fully circular digital construction, closing local material cycles.

read more here

LEATHER-LIKE MATERIAL FROM CITRUS WASTE WRAPS PENDANT LAMP AT LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL

image by Stone Stuart courtesy of Studio Arp

Interdisciplinary practitioner Alkesh Parmar, founder of Studio Arp, repurposes orange peel waste into sustainable materials in the Citrus Sinensis project. Incorporating traditional craftsmanship and low-tech processes, the studio explores themes of migration, colonialism, and decentralized design. Showcased at the Material Matters Fair during the London Design Festival, this project includes lighting, objects, and artworks, emphasizing the intergenerational preservation of craft and the sustainable use of natural resources, while drawing on the origins of the orange from the Himalayan foothills.

Through his innovative process, APeel, Parmar transforms waste citrus peel into a versatile leather-like material suitable for diverse applications. In a crucial phase before the orange peel dries, it becomes pliable and moldable, similar to leather, with its properties varying based on the type of citrus and environmental conditions—ensuring an adaptable and sustainable process. Low-tech craft techniques emphasize the potential of local materials, challenging conventional Western design practices.

read more here

ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING BY BIOREGION INSTITUTE REPURPOSES BARLEY WASTE AND SEAWEED

image courtesy of Bioregion Institute

Lab director Alexandre Bau, industrial biochemist Lars Haugen Aardal, and industrial designer Alvise Rizzo from the Bioregion Institute introduce Feddie Packaging, an eco-friendly packaging solution crafted from whiskey distillation byproducts and locally sourced seaweed. This innovative biomaterial offers a low-cost, low-carbon alternative to pulped cellulose, advancing sustainable packaging design.

The biomaterial repurposes draff—the spent malted barley grains left over from whiskey production—as a raw material rich in starch, proteins, and fibers. Typically used as animal feed or compost, draff’s natural properties make it an ideal base for molded pulp packaging. To enhance its functionality, the team combines draff with sugar kelp, a seaweed cultivated along Norway’s coast. This land-and-sea biomass pairing leverages the adhesive qualities of alginate, a natural polysaccharide found in kelp, to create a robust, shock-absorbing packaging material. ‘By converting this waste biomass into a useful product without compromising biodegradability, we extend its life cycle and offer a cheap alternative resource to the molded pulp packaging industry,’ affirms the team. ‘We leverage the residual starch in draff as a natural binder, a key component that provides strength and elasticity to the material.’ 

read more here

SCULPTURAL TOP AND SKIRT MADE OF DISCARDED TEA LEAVES CAN ABSORB ODOR

image courtesy of Mengyan Guo

read more here

see designboom’s TOP 10 stories archive:

2023 — 2022 — 2021 — 2020 — 2019 —  2018 — 2017 — 2016 — 2015 — 2014 — 2013

The post TOP 10 reader submissions of 2024 – materials appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Portuguese product designer Giestas introduces Baking Vegan Slippers, a collection that allows bioplastic experimentation in footwear design, encouraging anyone to create biodegradable shoes at home. Using algae-based vegan ingredients and everyday kitchen utensils, the designer demonstrates how household items can serve as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. The project includes alginate, a thickener derived from algae, for the top of the shoe, colored with saffron or black tea, while the sole is made from ground cork bound with agar, an algae-based gelatin substitute. Reused materials like cork bottle tops and spent tea leaves showcase the potential of food-grade ingredients in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and allow users to turn their kitchen into a footwear factory. 

all images courtesy of Giestas

Baking Vegan Slippers recipe includes common pantry items

The project emphasizes accessibility, highlighting how bioplastics can be explored in any kitchen without specialized tools. Giestas’ use of cork—a sustainable material harvested from oak tree bark—and common pantry items like saffron and tea leaves brings attention to the versatility of biodegradable components. The soles of the slippers are crafted to match the designer’s foot shape, offering a customizable approach to footwear, with each participant able to create bespoke designs by following the recipe.

Through a series of instructional YouTube videos, the Portuguese designer guides viewers through each process step, from mixing the materials to shaping the final product. The recipe encourages experimentation, allowing participants to use ingredients and utensils already found in most homes, making sustainable design approachable and engaging for all.

Baking Vegan Slippers allows bioplastic experimentation in footwear design

Giestas encourages anyone to create biodegradable shoes at home

the sole is made from ground cork bound with agar, an algae-based gelatin substitute

household items can serve as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics

the top of this model is made of alginate – an algae-derived food thickener, colored with saffron

giestas reused cork bottle tops sourced from a local restaurant

the project emphasizes accessibility, showcasing how bioplastics can be explored in any kitchen

the soles of the slippers are crafted to match the designer’s foot shape

spent black tea leaves were reused to impart this model with this deep color

project info:

name: Baking Vegan Slippers
designer: Giestas | @luis.giestas, @arroio_x_giestas

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post cork and algae compose biodegradable vegan slippers you can bake at home appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Laura Bordini’s By Osmosis explores a circular process in which waste generated by one process serves as nourishment for another. The project showcases the potential of ‘growing materials’, namely microalgae, in promoting ecological regeneration by actively contributing to fostering plant life.

From the biomass derived from the death of microorganisms recovered from industrial waste centers, the designer believes that it is possible to generate a biomaterial to stimulate plant growth. She presents a series of products, such as packaging materials, that can be planted and act as agricultural biostimulants.

packaging samples made up of microalgae and wood powder | all images courtesy of Laura Bordini

laura bordini creates circular process from waste

Waste, akin to materials, constitutes an intrinsic element of human development, serving as one of the evolutionary legacies transmitted to next generations. It provides multifaceted insights into an individual’s lifestyle and habits. ‘In this context, planned obsolescence has gradually integrated into our purchasing habits. It is a system that perpetuates our existences, insidiously infiltrating to the point of escaping our awareness, making its eradication equally challenging,’ notes Laura Bordini. In response, By Osmosis contends that research on materials and our interaction with them is fundamental for a more responsible and conscious production approach.

To delve into this extensive topic, and to propose a design model focusing on the recovery of an industrial waste, the Italian designer chose to work with microalgae biomass, resulting from the waste water purification process of the Metabolon (Lindlar, Germany) waste disposal centre. From the biomass, she creates agricultural biostimulants. The project strives to elucidate the potential of growing materials in fostering ecological regeneration. In a broader context, it aspires to serve as a model for interdisciplinary practices, amalgamating diverse knowledge and skills from various disciplines to yield innovative outcomes.

By Osmosis explores a circular process in which waste generated by one process serves as nourishment for another

showcasing the potential of microalgae, in promoting ecological regeneration

seeds container

Laura Bordini generates biomaterials from industrial waste to stimulate plant growth

the materials can be planted to act as agricultural biostimulants

the microalgae biomass collected resulted from the waste water purification process of a waste disposal centre

samples of materials to test various recipes during the research phase

the project strives to elucidate the potential of growing materials in fostering ecological regeneration

material samples

project info:

name: By Osmosis
designer: Laura Bordini

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post laura bordini repurposes microalgae and industrial waste biomass to nourish plant life appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Slow is a series of artworks by Su Yang Choi, crafted from a new algae-based biodegradable material and shaped using traditional Korean knotting techniques. This biodegradable material, developed by the designer, is free from artificial chemicals and offers an environmentally friendly alternative. It minimizes energy consumption during manufacturing and can be easily reshaped through heating, promoting sustainable use. The design process involves collecting and recycling all leftover scraps, reducing waste, and optimizing resource utilization. The Slow series, featuring a lighting fixture and an ikebana vase, significantly minimizes environmental impact throughout the product’s lifecycle. This approach underscores a commitment to eco-friendly practices and highlights the potential of innovative materials in modern design.

all images courtesy of Su Yang Choi

Slow series showcases traditional Korean knotting techniques

The first piece of the Slow series by Su Yang Choi is a lighting fixture. The lamp features a four-faced linear braided shape that encases a flexible LED strip. This design, made of algae-based biodegradable material (BDM), evokes traditional Korean architecture, specifically the ten-story stone pagoda of Gyeongcheonsa Temple, through its variable widths and repetitive patterns. The second piece in the series is an Ikebana vase, incorporating the same biodegradable material mixed with coffee grounds for coloration. This vase is shaped using traditional Korean knotting techniques, known as Maedeup, further emphasizing the cultural heritage embedded in the design.

‘As a product designer, I believe it is essential to consider environmental issues. The impact of product production and consumption on the environment cannot be ignored, making it crucial to find solutions. This idea was the starting point for my project.‘ states the designer. ‘I contemplated ways to minimize environmental damage even if people continued their consumption patterns, easily buying and discarding products. In modern society, where fast consumption patterns are the norm, I felt the need for a new approach to address this issue.‘ 

the Slow series minimizes environmental impact throughout the product’s lifecycle

coffee grounds are used for the coloration of the material

the lamp features a four-faced linear braided shape

a flexible LED strip illuminates the design

Korean knotting techniques, known as Maedeup, emphasize the cultural heritage embedded in the design

the stone pagoda of Gyeongcheonsa Temple inspires the light’s design | image by Francesco Russo

 

 

 

 

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη SU YANG CHOI (@studio_suyangchoi)

variable widths and repetitive patterns shape the lighting fixture | image by Francesco Russo

project info:

name: Slow
designer: Su Yang Choi | @studio_suyangchoi
photographers: Francesco Russo | @francescorussophoto, unrealstudio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post traditional korean knotting shapes biodegradable algae-based artwork series appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Co-Obradoiro Galego by Paula Camiña Eiras intertwines a dense forest, a thriving fishing community, and the skilful hands of local basket weavers in Spain to revive Galician heritage. The initiative adopts a grounded approach to design, initiating its journey by mapping out the pressing ecological challenges in Galicia, while linking issues of local deforestation and the adverse effects caused by biomass on the local economy through design. The result repurposes macroalgae and seashells to extract natural-based chemical derivatives. The result is a flexible bio-based yarn compatible with Galician basket weaving techniques.

all images by Rodri Porcelli 

repurposing harmful organic matter through design

In the northwest corner of Spain, Galicia is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean — the historical supply of seafood for Spanish communities. Yet, this abundance brings challenges, notably the surplus of seashell food waste and the overgrowth of algae in the Galician estuary, impacting 15 to 20% of shellfish and causing significant economic strains on local families. Simultaneously, the region’s forests grapple with climate change and overexploitation, leading to the adoption of fast-growing exotic species during reforestation, further depleting the traditional material source for local basket weavers — the endemic species.

In response, Co-Obradoiro Galego is a bio-design initiative that confronts these challenges through design. Addressing the adverse effects of biomass in the fishing community, designer Paula Camiña Eiras proposes repurposing macroalgae and seashells into a bio-based yarn. The initiative, adopting an approach rooted in locality, seeks to introduce innovative measures to mitigate the negative impact of organic matter on the local ecosystem, while also paying homage to the rich stories and traditions ingrained in Galician culture.

Co-Obradoiro Galego by Paula Camiña Eiras seeks to revive Galician heritage

the baskets are handwoven by local artisans

the project repurposes macroalgae and seashells to extract chemical derivatives, creating a bio-based yarn

image by Sabela Andrés

project info:

name: Co-Obradoiro Galego
designer: Paula Camiña Eiras
photographer: Rodri Porcelli

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post spanish artisans repurpose macroalgae and seashells to weave bio-based baskets appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

bioMATTERS introduces MYCO-ALGA, a sustainable interior tiling system crafted from 3D-printed mycelium and algae. These tiles are composed of living organisms and upcycled natural and organic waste, ensuring a 100% biodegradable end product. Employing computational algorithms, the panels are digitally designed and then 3D printed, grown, and enriched with bio-pigments to infuse natural hues. Beyond aesthetic considerations, bioMATTERS’ process to develop living material and fabrication workflows seeks to evolve bio-aesthetics and ecological practices and promote a cultural shift to biomaterials in an age of climate crisis.

assembly of MYCO-ALGA tiles with non-repetitive pattern | all images courtesy of bioMATTERS

bioMATTERS upcycles waste for ecological design solutions

The MYCO-ALGA tiles undergo a multifaceted fabrication process, beginning with the upcycling of domestic and industrial waste materials. These materials are ground into a paste-like substrate, providing the foundation for the growth of mycelium — an entangled network of fungal filaments. Inoculated with mycelium, the paste is 3D printed into customized shapes, which are then cultivated in a climate-controlled environment for approximately two weeks. During this period, the mycelium grows and acts as a natural adhesive, weaving through the material and binding it together like a natural glue, eventually enveloping the entire panel’s surface.

To halt further growth, bioMATTERS placed the pieces in convection ovens, where drying and dehydration result in a rigid, durable, yet lightweight material. The final stage involves involves the application of bio-pigments extracted from harvested algae biomass. Transformed into gels, these pigments are 3D printed onto each tile to add color as an aesthetic enhancement. The completed MYCO-ALGA tiles transform interior spaces with their off-white mycelium and light green algae hues, presenting a soft, velvet-like texture and a distinct tactile quality. Each tile features distinct non-repetitive shapes based on computationally generated branching morphologies mirroring mycelial growth. Assembled across a surface, the tiles create a visually engaging mosaic of continuous pattern variations.

a biodegradable, ecological interior tiling system

crafted from 3D-printed mycelium, algae, and upcycled natural and organic waste

the waste materials are ground into a paste-like substrate, providing the foundation for the growth of mycelium

the panels are digitally designed then 3D printed, grown, and enriched with bio-pigments

algae bio-pigments made from harvested biomass

each tile is computationally designed using generative algorithms and inspired by mycelial growth

project info:

name: MYCO-ALGA
designer: bioMATTERS

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post bioMATTERS crafts tiling system by 3D printing mycelium, algae, and organic waste appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Zoë Breed unveils Algae Alight, an exploration into the potential of bioluminescent algae as a dynamic living medium. The project introduces a Living Light Interface, translating digital input into the biological realm. Within this setup, causing no harm to any organisms, the inherent light-producing abilities of the algae combine with programmed vibrational patterns to create a mesmerizing living light show within a liquid culture. Algae Alight stands as the first algae imaging system that offers real-time interaction with living microalgae, providing a unique and challenging experience of observing microorganisms without the aid of visual tools like microscopes. The installation’s algorithms are finely tuned to allow the algae time to rest and recharge, preventing overstimulation. This consideration ensures a more sustainable and ethical approach to integrating living entities into design. 

all modules with the same vibrational pattern

Zoë Breed translates digital input into the biological realm

Bioluminescence, the emission of light by living organisms, serves various purposes in nature, from deterring predators to providing camouflage. These organisms are mainly found in the marine environment, where it is estimated that more than 75% of them have the ability to produce light. Zoë Breed’s M.Sc. graduation research specifically focuses on harnessing the potential of bioluminescent algae as a medium — notably the microalgae species Pyrocystis fusiformis. Naturally found in tropical and subtropical oceanic regions, these dinoflagellates exhibit a remarkable capacity for light emission.

Extensive research into the natural habitat of Pyrocystis fusiformis informed the delicate integration of these microorganisms into an artificial environment, without compromising their well-being. Various factors such as fluid dynamics, stimulation methods, intensity, volume, and container shape were meticulously studied to predict and control the resulting bioluminescent lighting patterns. The culmination of this research manifests in the Living Light Interface, an algae imaging system translating digital input into the biological realm.

modules with different vibrational patterns, generated with a cyclic cellular automata

modules right at the start of the stimulation

modules with different vibrational patterns for every row

overview of all the cultivated microalgae

the Living Light Interface

cultivated microalgae

project info:

name: Algae Alight
designer: Zoë Breed

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post zoë breed uses bioluminescent algae as bio-pixels to create a living light show appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Paradoxal Surfboards introduced its new 3D-printed plank made with upcycled algae and biosourced fibers, saying goodbye to the polyurethane foam traditionally used in surfboard production. Jérémy Lucas, the founder of the surfboard startup, unveiled this news in time for the Cannes Yachting Festival 2023 and revealed that the pilot model was created using sargassum algae and 3D printing. The resulting surfboard presented a resin-polished board that features 3D honeycomb structures inside.

The vivid green edge also covers the entire side of the surfboard to signal the use of sargassum algae. Jérémy Lucas explains that 3D printing helps create a circular honeycomb pattern with empty cavities inside the 3D-printed surfboard, making it stronger than conventional designs with a polystyrene core. He adds that this design provides the surfboard with algae greater resistance to dents, regardless of the frequency of use or intensity of the waves.

images by Paradoxal Surfboards

Biomimicry-inspired surfboard design

It was in July 2021, in an Instagram post, when Jérémy Lucas announced that after years of research into the soap-making process, he and his team were able to create the first wax made from green algae collected from Ris Beach in Spain. This soap-like material evolved over the years until it was recently incorporated into Paradoxal Surfboards’ latest production using 3D printing technology. For the rest of the surfboard’s components, Paradoxal Surfboards takes pride in combining thermoplastics, thermosetting materials, and sourced fibers to create the 3D-printed plank.

Regarding the design inspiration for the surfboard with algae, Jérémy Lucas drew inspiration from watching numerous conferences on biomimicry where once he came across an image of circular empty cavities, which is a nanoscale view of a diatom found in algae. ‘After observing the nanometric scale, we examined the microscopic scale of this same alga, and we noticed that, to our great astonishment, it has the shape of a surfboard,’ he says, explaining how he developed the layout for his 3D-printed surfboard. As of publishing this story, Paradoxal Surfboards is gearing up for a limited supply sale at the end of 2023.

close-up view of the 3D-printed surfboard made of sargassum algae

in July 2021, Jérémy Lucas announced the first wax he and the team made from green algae collected from Ris Beach

close-up view of the 3D-printed surfboard

the 3D-printed surfboard is also laminated

Paradoxal Surfboards upcycles algae into 3D-printed wave boards

the 3D-printed honeycomb structure is dubbed to make the surfboard stronger than designs with a polystyrene core

as of publishing this story, Paradoxal Surfboards is gearing up for a limited supply sale at the end of 2023

project info:

name: 3D-printed surfboard with algae

startup: Paradoxal Surfboards

The post 3D-printed surfboard made of upcycled algae ditches polyurethane foam for eco-wave riding appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Exploring an intricate interplay between colors and materiality, STUDIO BYCOLOR presents NORI PIGMENT: Pigment from the Sea. The project delves into the deep black hues of seaweed, deconstructing its beauty while unravelling the essence of seaweed itself through the lens of pigment exploration. Red algae, a fundamental pigment in nori, plays a critical role in nutrient acquisition for seaweed in the ocean. To visually capture the concealed red hues within the black laver, the studio has created panels and tiles utilizing cotton, silk, wool, and traditional Japanese paper-making techniques. Led by Kaori Akiyama, soil from Mino, Japan, has been filtered through unglazed clay to the same size as seaweed. Just as the seaweed can be cut into various pieces for consumption, the dyed patterns reflect the diversity of its preparation, ranging from two to twelve pieces.

all images courtesy of STUDIO BYCOLOR

studio bycolor’s panels extract and deconstruct nori’s hues

Nori, a staple in sushi and rice balls, has long been valued for its dark profile and rich nutritional content in Japanese cuisine. Much like the amalgamation of red, blue, and yellow pigments yielding black in paint, the richness in taste of nori correlates with its depth of color. Ingredients such as phycoerythrin, chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and carotenoid contribute to its gradation. Through experimentation in color extraction, the team at STUDIO BYCOLOR has uncovered the pivotal role of phycoerythrin in oceanic photosynthesis — an echo of its role in forest ecosystems where sunlight is difficult to reach. 

STUDIO BYCOLOR deconstructs the hues of nori

the project delves into the deep black tones of seaweed

the studio has created panels and tiles utilizing cotton, silk, and wool

soil from Mino, Japan, has been filtered through unglazed clay to the same size as seaweed

the project uncovers the pivotal role of phycoerythrin in oceanic photosynthesis

NORI PIGMENT: Pigment from the Sea

a process of pigment extraction

project info:

name: NORI PIGMENT: Pigment from the Sea
designer: STUDIO BYCOLOR
lead designer: Kaori Akiyama

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

The post studio bycolor deconstructs seaweed pigment to craft cotton, silk, and wool tiles appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.