Symbiosis Project: Creating A Design Process To Grow Products

This paper presents Symbiosis Project, a research-practice aiming to create a symbiotic relationship between the built and natural environments by leveraging knowledge at the convergence of design, biology, and technology to create a design process to grow products. To create innovative biomaterials and products that integrate biological principles with design through a speculative design framework. The lab proposes 3 sections divided in 5 phases. The studio section involves ideation and theoretical validation of design solutions. The lab section focuses on collaboration with experts/ researchers to develop prototypes in digital space (in silica) and physical space (in vivo). The consultancy section seeks partnerships with the private sector to transform a proof-of-concept into market-ready innovations. Despite current scientific limitations, Symbiosis Project aims to pioneer biodesign practices, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable design solutions. The paper highlights Symbiosis Project’s first project PULMO, an underwater breathing apparatus mimicking biological respiration systems, as case study.