How can people begin to experience biomaterials, the materials which are set to help propel us into a more sustainable future? Many of these materials are still in labs, or have been turned into one off pieces. But collaborations between material scientists, designers, brands and galleries are allowing for greater exposure. One of the latest projects to be given the spotlight is a collection of explorative matter by Natural Material Studio that was shown during last year’s 3 Days of Design festival with Frama.

Natural Studio was founded by Danish designer Bonnie Hvillum, who researches natural materials. For this project with multidisciplinary studio Frama a collection of biodegradable materials were shown within a space. These materials were created to make us think about what materials can be, and explore functional materials and unique art pieces. Within the space the materials are shown through different applications such as Japanese inspired curtains, which encourage people to interact directly with the material in order to move around the space. The clothing pieces represent abstract illustrations of a utilitarian living. 

Each of the fabrics are circular and bio-degrade within three months when exposed to soil and live bacterias. Some of the materials shown were Alger, a seaweed fabric made from seaweed extract, which is dyed with spirulina algae; and Terracotta, a clay-pigmented biofabric formed using a protein-based binder. Also on display were fabrics made from B-Foam, a foam material made from charcoal that has been in development since 2019. The designer hand-casts each of the fabrics in wooden frames, in which they hang to dry for a few days before being cut.

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References/Credits:

Natural Material Studio

Frama

Paolo Galgani 

Through Objects

NMS