Design directions

Zooming in on nature

Health & Beauty

Biotechnology is changing the beauty industry. Natural ingredients are being replicated using biotechnology. Bacteria, yeast and enzymes working with the skin’s natural processes and microflora.

Products that do not need packaging such as shampoo bars or using containers that can be reused or that are biodegradable.

Bio iridescent effects made from wood which are compostable and produced using a waste-free production process.

Pigments made from natural waste materials. Natural earth and mineral pigments that do not harm the environment.

Animal-friendly products that do not contain a big list of animal byproducts such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, fish scales and gelatin.

Bio-beauty

Pigments

Waste free

Animal friendly

Left to right

Photo by Anna Rosa Krau

Dinesen Douglas by Dinesen

Soapac by Mi Zhou

Bio iridescent sequins by Elissa Brunato

Photo by Sander Smeekes

Scobi packaging by Elena Amato

Colour Pigments by Kaiku Livin

Blue light protection and hydration mist by One Ocean

Explorer trio by Biophile

Food

In the distant future we could re-wild a proportion of the planet and concentrate food production into multi-story inner city locations.

In 2022 the world population will be around eight billion people. When we have such large populations some food systems will become unfeasible. We will co-evolve with our food.

Intermittent fasting, controlling the time period in which calories are consumed, giving your body a pause from food intake.

Plant-based foods and plant-based replacements for quality protein created with biotechnology. Dairy mimics by using an AI engine to match plant-based and dairy ingredients at the molecular composition level.

Plant based

Dairy free

Vegan

Locally grown

Left to right

Algae-based protein by Triton Algae Innovations

Made by Bees by Ren Ri

Animal-free milk by Perfect Day

Photo by Unknown

Plant based alternative to eggs by Annie Larkins

Instore farm by Infarm

Woman’s clothing

Make, do and mend, using existing fabrics and garments to create new styles. Standard repair services for longer product life. The no new things look as more young people gravitate towards vintage and thrift stores. Mix and match aesthetics with no single time reference.

A quieter aesthetic, as a statement, made from one material, one colour so it can be recycled more easily. Appreciating irregularities that are caused by recycling or over-dyeing. Limitations will drive creativity. Focus on a few materials that are certified. Work with a limited colour palette and clean dyeing methods.

The wait for bioengineered fabrics is taking time. More than sixty percent of fabric fibers are now synthetics. Recycling schemes are creating same quality level materials.

Mono materials

Substitutes

Durability

Limitations

Left to right

Photo by Oliver Hadlee Pearch

AER Puffer by The Arrivels

Photo by Mary Lennox

Top by The Social Outfit

Farm to wardrobe collection by Peggy Sue Collection

Outfit by Kowtow

Men’s clothing

Carbon-neutral basics, organic and ethically made, manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind and solar power. Natural substitutes that use less water, chemicals and that are more durable such as hemp.

Irregular dyeing effects using natural pigments and minerals such as mud or rust.

What comes after recycled nylon? The next step in fashion circularity is keeping the fabrics in the circle by reuse and resale initiatives and higher quality recycling.

Responsible design, sustainability starts in the design phase. Steady collections and capsule collections, all you need is one co-ordinated collection that you can reorder. Taking the fast out of fashion.

Hemp

Tech textile

Repair

Capsule

Left to right

Repaired vintage cardigan by Tom of Holland

Outfit by Christopher Raeburn

Techmerino by Z Zegna

Photo by unknown

True Color capsule collection by Byborre x Adidas

Hemp menswear by Seeker

Living

Growing cell shapes, organic waves and strings of cell shapes. Biomimicry uses natural items as design inspiration, from plants, leaves, the sun and water.

Plants as furniture. Green as the main ingredient of a room. Fill spaces with plants. The use of daylight and humidifiers to create the right atmosphere.

Sand and clay shapes with irregular surfaces. The effect of erosion, touched by the weather.

Glass shapes, recycled, irregular and filled with air bubbles. The characteristics of handblown glass. Patchworks of recycled textiles, re-using what is already there.

The climate in a space matters, clean air, clean water. Temperature is regulated with heat pumps.

Cells

Plants

Glass

Irregular

Left to right

Bacteria lamp by Jan Klinger

Grotto plate by Kajsa Melchior

Growing plants indoor by Rem Atelier

Tides element by Kwangho Lee

Flat vessels by Studio Jonas Lutz

The Canopy by Ræburn and Layer

Architecture

The greenest building is the one that already exists. Retro-fitting existing commercial buildings to improve its energy efficiency. Never demolish a building again.

Intergenerational housing, small and family-size units, as well as easy access to services and transport, a range of ages cohabiting in one building.

Biomorphic urbanism is formed by life. Cities that strengthen and restore natural systems, rather than diminish them.

Hemp makes two different kinds of fibre: the fine bast, used for fabric, and the woody hurds, strong enough to be used in building.

Shapes inspired by the sun, moon, clouds and sea. Building up in the air, high rises and stacked buildings.

Retro-fitting

Adjustable

Biomorphic urbanism

Moon shapes

Left to right

The Whale by Dorte Mandrup

Sun Tunnel by Nancy Holt

Flat House by Practice Architecture

House Of Peace by Junya Ishigami

Vertical garden at the Back to Eden exhibition by Naomi Rei

Technology

As much as ninety percent of the world’s energy usage comes from fossil fuels. Changing this to renewable resources will change the economy and our future.

VR meet-ups, meet in person in the virtual world instead of flying to conferences.

Bio-engineering new material to replace plastics, foams and textiles. Materials that can absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

Making electronics feel more natural by using irregular textures and organic surfaces.

Low tech solutions, function depending on the availability of solar energy.

Grow salad and herbs in the fridge in your kitchen.

Bio-Engineering

Absorbing CO2

Low tech

Irregular

Left to right

Project Alias by Bjørn Karmann

Carbon capture device by Klaus Lackner

Vertical garden fridge by LG

Korvaa synbio headphones by Studio Aivan

Desperados speaker by Gomi

Website by Low-Tech magazine

Mobility

Investment in infrastructures that are focused on low-carbon, sustainable and long-term solutions that embrace electrification and decentralisation. A new fabric for our cities.

Effective public transportation and drive share that will change the fabric of our streets. Stations will become centres of business and social activities.

Regional high-speed rail stations become centres of business and social activities.

It could take more than three decades to re-engineer most cities to be to viable without cars. Pedestrian areas revitalising urban areas.

Positive, protective surroundings, safe and comforting areas. Infrastructure that is based on quality of life.