Designing From Nature: London Design Festival

Every year the United Kingdom’s metropolitan city holds a design festival showcasing the best and brightest in design. This year’s London Design Festival occurred the weekend of September 19th through 21st. A particular exhibition caught our eye this year, produced by Open Cell. The London-based company called on international designers and startups to create “#Biodesign HereNow.” Featuring projects combining biology, design, and technology, the exhibition showcased incredibly exciting innovative concepts.

1. Studio Tinello – Grown Objects & Eco Warrior

Founded by Silvio Tinello, this studio presented a collection of accessories and jewelry made from fungi bio agglomerate and bacterial cellulose grown in yerba mate. The result was a selection of uniquely pieces bold pieces.

2. Post Carbon Lab – Bacterial Pigment Dyeing and Photosynthesis Coating

This London-based studio has discovered an alternative to synthetic dyes by using “Bacterial Pigment Dyeing” and “Photosynthesis Coating” on fabrics and garments. They displayed their “textile bio-reactors” at the exhibition which are made from salvaged materials such as bike tires. In addition, they showed designer pieces coated in their photosynthetic microorganisms and dyed with that produces pigment.

3. Denimaize

Coming from the University of Pennsylvania, the innovative company is designing denim made from corn. Husks which would otherwise be discarded are processed to breakdown into a corn fiber. This is then spun with flax and woven into a new kind of denim twill. Instead of harsh chemicals, Denimaize uses microbial dye and cellulose enzymes to color and relax the fabric into a product which can be used for clothing.

4. Biological Laboratory of Architecture and Sensitive Technologies – Lovely Trash

Another London-based studio collects local food waste and turns it into furniture through their “Lovely Trash” project. Mycelium helps to transform trash into treasure. Mycelium is a mushroom’s’ root system and it digests organic matter which then creates a sort of mould, ready to take any shape.

5. Bio-Integrated Design – Biogenic Luminosity

From the Bartlett School of Architecture, this company presented a wall of ceramic tiles with microbial colonies which arrange themselves in a way which gives off an iridescent quality.

6. Barbara Drozek – Fluid-Thought

This designer uses beeswax to 3D print her creations. By doing so in water, the beeswax is able to cool and solidify properly.

7. Mohammad Jawad – Manufactured by Nature: Growing Generatively Designed Products

Through natural minerals, crystallisation and 3D printing, this designer explored new ways of making. His work opens up new possibilities for creators everywhere.

8. Nicole Stjernswärd – KAIKU Living Color

While most dyes and colored products are produced through harsh chemicals, this Swedish innovator uses food waste to create natural paint. The results are hues ranging from vibrant to muted.

9. Midushi Kochhar 

This Indian designer created a plastic alternative made from poultry byproduct like eggshells and feathers. Midushi Kochhar believes that “waste is a design flaw,” and is out to remedy that.

10. Paula Nerlich

Another bioplastic material featured in the exhibition was made from aquafaba, the liquid from chickpeas, or garbanzo beans. This designer created an alternative to petroleum-based plastic has a natural light pink color but can be dyed with natural or food colorings.

11. Rosie Broadhead

No stranger to biofashion, this designer exhibited her bacteria-infused collection as part of the expo as well. We’ve highlighted her work on social media before and continue to feel in awe of her innovation.