H2ERǴ ring made with metals "mined" by plants
Metals "mined" by plants feature in a first-of-its-kind ring, made by materials researcher and designer Karoline Healy under her jewellery brand H2ERǴ. More
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Reusable formwork by Studio Part moulds trees into living bench
Belgian design firm Studio Part has developed a demountable metal mould that encourages young willow trees to grow into a self-supporting bench. More
Melanin-spiked bodysuits provide sun protection in Melwear concept
Garments made with the skin pigment melanin provide a natural, alternative form of sun protection in this speculative biofabrication project by recent Central Saint Martins graduate Maca Barrera. More
Plastic-eating mealworms "collaborate" in stool design by William Eliot
Insects are an unlikely "collaborator" in British designer William Eliot's Digested Objects stool, which was shaped by plastic-eating mealworms as they gnawed their way through blocks of polystyrene. More
Colorifix harnesses bacteria for non-toxic clothes dyeing
The process of using bacteria to colour textiles has been brought to a commercial scale by British company Colorifix, which hopes to cut the fashion industry's use of toxic chemical dyes. More
Animal-centric interspecies design goes "beyond sustainability"
A new design trend prioritises the needs of bugs and animals above human beings. Rima Sabina Aouf finds out if "interspecies design" is the next step in creating more sustainable spaces and objects. More
Normal Phenomena of Life brand launches to sell biodesigned products
After years of exploring the merging of biotechnology with design, Natsai Audrey Chieza and Christina Agapakis have started what they describe as the "first biodesign lifestyle brand", which launched at London Design Festival. More
Modern Synthesis uses bacteria to create biomaterial fabric
Biotechnology company Modern Synthesis has developed a biomaterial from bacterial fermentation that can be used to create a low-carbon alternative to traditional clothing fabrics. More
Biotechnology "offers us an exciting new toolbox to build the future" says Natsai Audrey Chieza
On day 12 of the Dezeen 15 digital festival, designer Natsai Audrey Chieza of Faber Futures sets out five principles for the emerging field of biodesign. More
Public School creates "backyard compostable" sneaker from kombucha waste
New York streetwear label Public School has collaborated with material scientist Theanne Schiros to create a pair of biofabricated trainers using a leather alternative grown by microbes. More
The circular economy "will never work with the materials we have" says Cyrill Gutsch of Parley for the Oceans
Plastics will be replaced within ten years by biofabricated materials that eliminate waste and pollution, according to Parley for the Oceans founder Cyrill Gutsch. More
"Designers are starting to understand they don't design in a vacuum" says Natsai Audrey Chieza
Good design is about interrogating systems not just creating beautiful chairs, biofabrication designer Natsai Audrey Chieza argued at Dezeen Day. More
Biogarmentry clothes can photosynthesise like plants
Canadian-Iranian designer Roya Aghighi has created clothes made from algae that turn carbon dioxide into oxygen via photosynthesis, as a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion. More
Aivan grows headphones from fungus and yeast
Fungus, yeast-based bioplastic and other materials grown by microbes have been used to make the Korvaa headphones, designed by Finnish studio Aivan in collaboration with scientists. More
Central Saint Martins launches masters course in biodesign
Central Saint Martins college in London has announced a new masters degree in biodesign to promote sustainable innovation, which is set to start in September 2019. More
Carlo Ratti grows Gaudí-inspired structures with a kilometre of mushroom mycelium
Italian architect Carlo Ratti has grown a series of arched architectural structures from mushroom mycelium, which will be returned to the soil after Milan design week is over, in a fully circular fashion. More
Margarita Talep develops algae-based alternative to single-use plastic packaging
Chile-based designer Margarita Talep has created a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to single-use packaging, using raw material extracted from algae. More
Nir Meiri makes sustainable lamps from mushroom mycelium
London-based designer Nir Meiri has created a series of table lamps using mushroom mycelium, as an alternative to synthetic materials. More
Roza Janusz grows edible food packaging
Graduate Roza Janusz has created an alternative to plastic food packaging, which is made from organic material and can either be eaten after use, or composted. More
Dutch designers convert algae into bioplastic for 3D printing
Dutch designers Eric Klarenbeek and Maartje Dros have developed a bioplastic made from algae, which they believe could completely replace fossil-derived plastics over time. More