Ten different and everyday uses for bioplastics
A sequinned Stella McCartney bodysuit and styrofoam cups made from mealworms feature in this roundup highlighting innovative design projects that make use of bioplastics. More
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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
Stella McCartney releases jumpsuit made with iridescent BioSequins
British fashion brand Stella McCartney has unveiled a sleeveless bodysuit adorned with Radiant Matter's bioplastic sequins made from tree cellulose. More
Dezeen Agenda
Dezeen Agenda
Dezeen Agenda features a toilet made from wood chips and bioplastic resin
The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Agenda newsletter features a toilet made from wood composite, which its designers says generates fewer emissions than ceramic toilets. Subscribe to Dezeen Agenda now. More
Mass timber "definitely not the right way to go" says Benjamin Kromoser
Mass timber will not become a mainstream building product because it uses too much wood, construction material expert Benjamin Kromoser claims in this interview for the Timber Revolution. More
Woodio develops toilet made from wood chips
Finnish design company Woodio has created a toilet, where everything from the seat to the bowl is formed from wood composite that reportedly generates 99 per cent fewer emissions in its production than ceramics. More
Henning Larsen uses natural materials for Danish school extension
Straw, eelgrass and wood feature in this bio-based extension that Danish architecture studio Henning Larsen has added to Feldballe School in Denmark. More
Mass timber should "always start with forest health" says timber industry expert Arnie Didier
Increasing use of mass timber in architecture is driving good forest management practices in the United States, says Forest Business Network co-founder Arnie Didier in this interview as part of our Timber Revolution series. More
"We need to start using our wood more efficiently"
A Timber Revolution requires us to focus on reducing mass-timber structures' raw-material use instead of trying to design the tallest possible wooden building, writes Maximilian Pramreiter. More
Seven alternative bricks made of reclaimed waste and biomaterials
Expanded cork, construction waste and human urine feature in this roundup of brick alternatives, designed to reduce the masonry unit's embodied carbon footprint. More
"Modest" architecture focused on reuse and biomaterials to dominate in 2023
Retrofit, biomaterials and grassroots design are among the trends that architects including Kjetil Thorsen and Samira Rathod predict will define the architecture of 2023 and beyond. More
Luca Nichetto designs apple-leather Malala handbag for Angela Roi
Designer Luca Nichetto has made his first foray into fashion accessories with the Malala handbag, which was partially produced from apples for vegan leathergoods brand Angela Roi. More
PlasticFree is a database of over 100 plastic alternatives for designers and architects
Environmental organisation A Plastic Planet has launched an online platform to help architects and designers source plastic-free materials for their projects and avoid the "minefield of misinformation" around more sustainable alternatives. More
Eight innovative materials and products made from salvaged seashells
From concrete-like building materials to restaurant crockery made from the eateries' own food scraps, this roundup explores eight projects created using discarded shells. More
Shellmet is a helmet for fishing workers made from waste scallop shells
Tokyo advertising agency TBWA\Hakuhodo and plastics manufacturer Koushi Chemical Industry Co have created Shellmet, a hard hat made from discarded scallop shells and recycled plastic. More
BioLab Studio develops 3D-printed "bio scaffold" for growing mycelium
California-based BioLab Studio has developed a system that uses 3D printers to construct wooden scaffolding that cultivates mycelium maintained by a robotic arm. More
Natural Material Studio creates reusable biomaterial gift wrap for Calvin Klein
Copenhagen-based Natural Material Studio has unveiled an understated pouch made from biomaterial for fashion brand Calvin Klein that was designed as a Christmas gift wrap. More
Checkerspot releases algae-based plastic prototype kit for designers
California materials company Checkerspot has launched a casting kit named Pollinator Kit that allows designers to experiment with making components from algae-based plastics. More
Helena Elston designs decomposable garments from mycelium and recycled materials
Designer Helena Elston has created a collection of upcycled clothing made from mycelium and London-sourced textile waste, which explores "how we can produce beautiful things from discarded materials". More
Olive pits form modular Nontalo kids' stool by Eneris Collective
Design duo Eneris Collective has collaborated with Barcelona-based biomaterials company NaifactoryLAB to produce a playful stool for children made from waste olive pits. More