Biodesign

This card helps you get in touch for the first time with biodesign; designing 'of', 'with' and 'for' biology.

• How well do you understand the biological systems or organisms you will work with?

• How will you facilitate a collaborative relationship between human and non-human biological agents in this design? 

• How will you balance control, irregularity and unpredictability in the design process?

• How will you leverage insights from other disciplines, such as biology, biochemistry, to enrich your biodesign project?

Of, With and for Bio

These three projects highlight the different facets of biodesign. On the left, design of biology uses mycelium structures to create new riverbanks. In the middle, design with biology applies moss to noise barriers, improving sound dampening and carbon sequestration. On the right, design for biology creates a biobased, artificial habitat in urban settings, where rainwater is effectively drained away.

• Identify your starting point; a design brief for which you want to consult nature for solutions, or a biological material stream to valorize in our human world. 

• Experiment with balancing human control and the natural unpredictability of biological materials.