Instagram Story Save

We are happy to share that MA Biodesign Course Leader Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc contributed an essay titled “Crafting Fungal Growth” to the book Mycelium Resources in Architecture and Design, edited by Nina Flaitz @ninaflaitz @mycelium.resources
Published by Birkhäuser
Image credits @birkhauser_books

How can the mycelial structures of fungi shape the future of architecture and design? Can mycelium-based materials replace existing material systems, or will they generate entirely new categories of industrial production and making?

This book brings together leading international researchers and practitioners to explore the potential of mycelium as a resource-efficient biomaterial. Spanning building materials to textiles, it combines scientific, technological, and design-led perspectives to demonstrate the possibilities of working with living materials. Through essays, case studies, and interviews, it documents current developments, addresses key challenges, and considers how renewable materials can be integrated into circular and sustainable design practices.

#mycelium #fungalcraft #biomatters #biodigitalcraft @jtm_csm @csm_news

We are happy to share that MA Biodesign Course Leader Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc contributed an essay titled “Crafting Fungal Growth” to the book Mycelium Resources in Architecture and Design, edited by Nina Flaitz @ninaflaitz @mycelium.resources
Published by Birkhäuser
Image credits @birkhauser_books

How can the mycelial structures of fungi shape the future of architecture and design? Can mycelium-based materials replace existing material systems, or will they generate entirely new categories of industrial production and making?

This book brings together leading international researchers and practitioners to explore the potential of mycelium as a resource-efficient biomaterial. Spanning building materials to textiles, it combines scientific, technological, and design-led perspectives to demonstrate the possibilities of working with living materials. Through essays, case studies, and interviews, it documents current developments, addresses key challenges, and considers how renewable materials can be integrated into circular and sustainable design practices.

#mycelium #fungalcraft #biomatters #biodigitalcraft @jtm_csm @csm_news

We are happy to share that MA Biodesign Course Leader Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc contributed an essay titled “Crafting Fungal Growth” to the book Mycelium Resources in Architecture and Design, edited by Nina Flaitz @ninaflaitz @mycelium.resources
Published by Birkhäuser
Image credits @birkhauser_books

How can the mycelial structures of fungi shape the future of architecture and design? Can mycelium-based materials replace existing material systems, or will they generate entirely new categories of industrial production and making?

This book brings together leading international researchers and practitioners to explore the potential of mycelium as a resource-efficient biomaterial. Spanning building materials to textiles, it combines scientific, technological, and design-led perspectives to demonstrate the possibilities of working with living materials. Through essays, case studies, and interviews, it documents current developments, addresses key challenges, and considers how renewable materials can be integrated into circular and sustainable design practices.

#mycelium #fungalcraft #biomatters #biodigitalcraft @jtm_csm @csm_news

We are happy to share that MA Biodesign Course Leader Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc contributed an essay titled “Crafting Fungal Growth” to the book Mycelium Resources in Architecture and Design, edited by Nina Flaitz @ninaflaitz @mycelium.resources
Published by Birkhäuser
Image credits @birkhauser_books

How can the mycelial structures of fungi shape the future of architecture and design? Can mycelium-based materials replace existing material systems, or will they generate entirely new categories of industrial production and making?

This book brings together leading international researchers and practitioners to explore the potential of mycelium as a resource-efficient biomaterial. Spanning building materials to textiles, it combines scientific, technological, and design-led perspectives to demonstrate the possibilities of working with living materials. Through essays, case studies, and interviews, it documents current developments, addresses key challenges, and considers how renewable materials can be integrated into circular and sustainable design practices.

#mycelium #fungalcraft #biomatters #biodigitalcraft @jtm_csm @csm_news

Earlier this spring, students from MA Biodesign and MArch Architecture came together for UNIT 2 - Wool Futures: a collaborative exploration imagining Central Saint Martins as a living, regenerative community shared by humans and non-humans. 🌱

Using wool as both a resource stream and a living material, the unit challenged students to rethink architecture as something bioreceptive, adaptive, and deeply connected to ecological systems.

This group explored wool as a material for protection, mobility, and shared living. Inspired by nomadic shelters and the Turkish kepenek, the students designed a soft pavilion that blurs the boundary between garment and habitat, creating space for repair, cultivation, and collective care.

Special thanks to @britishwool for providing wonderful low processed wool materials for the students to explore and highlight its unique potentials in biodesign applications.

Project: Cornucopia of Heritage by Issy Rice, Minseo Jeon, Cagri Doner, Malo LeMaoult, Sara Gaviria Escobar, Justine de Riedmatten.

Teaching Team:
MA Biodesign @mabiodesign - Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc, Paula Nerlich @paula_nerlich, Jon Flint @joncflint, Digby Usher @digby.usher, Lucrezia Alessandroni @lucrezia.alessandroni

MArch Architecture @csm_architecture_march - Krish Nathaniel, Kleanthis Kyriakou @kleoldn , Andreas Lang

#MABiodesign #MArch #CentralSaintMartins #Biodesign #Architecture #LivingMaterials #WoolFutures #CollaborativeDesign

Earlier this spring, students from MA Biodesign and MArch Architecture came together for UNIT 2 - Wool Futures: a collaborative exploration imagining Central Saint Martins as a living, regenerative community shared by humans and non-humans. 🌱

Using wool as both a resource stream and a living material, the unit challenged students to rethink architecture as something bioreceptive, adaptive, and deeply connected to ecological systems.

This group explored wool as a material for protection, mobility, and shared living. Inspired by nomadic shelters and the Turkish kepenek, the students designed a soft pavilion that blurs the boundary between garment and habitat, creating space for repair, cultivation, and collective care.

Special thanks to @britishwool for providing wonderful low processed wool materials for the students to explore and highlight its unique potentials in biodesign applications.

Project: Cornucopia of Heritage by Issy Rice, Minseo Jeon, Cagri Doner, Malo LeMaoult, Sara Gaviria Escobar, Justine de Riedmatten.

Teaching Team:
MA Biodesign @mabiodesign - Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc, Paula Nerlich @paula_nerlich, Jon Flint @joncflint, Digby Usher @digby.usher, Lucrezia Alessandroni @lucrezia.alessandroni

MArch Architecture @csm_architecture_march - Krish Nathaniel, Kleanthis Kyriakou @kleoldn , Andreas Lang

#MABiodesign #MArch #CentralSaintMartins #Biodesign #Architecture #LivingMaterials #WoolFutures #CollaborativeDesign

Earlier this spring, students from MA Biodesign and MArch Architecture came together for UNIT 2 - Wool Futures: a collaborative exploration imagining Central Saint Martins as a living, regenerative community shared by humans and non-humans. 🌱

Using wool as both a resource stream and a living material, the unit challenged students to rethink architecture as something bioreceptive, adaptive, and deeply connected to ecological systems.

This group explored wool as a material for protection, mobility, and shared living. Inspired by nomadic shelters and the Turkish kepenek, the students designed a soft pavilion that blurs the boundary between garment and habitat, creating space for repair, cultivation, and collective care.

Special thanks to @britishwool for providing wonderful low processed wool materials for the students to explore and highlight its unique potentials in biodesign applications.

Project: Cornucopia of Heritage by Issy Rice, Minseo Jeon, Cagri Doner, Malo LeMaoult, Sara Gaviria Escobar, Justine de Riedmatten.

Teaching Team:
MA Biodesign @mabiodesign - Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc, Paula Nerlich @paula_nerlich, Jon Flint @joncflint, Digby Usher @digby.usher, Lucrezia Alessandroni @lucrezia.alessandroni

MArch Architecture @csm_architecture_march - Krish Nathaniel, Kleanthis Kyriakou @kleoldn , Andreas Lang

#MABiodesign #MArch #CentralSaintMartins #Biodesign #Architecture #LivingMaterials #WoolFutures #CollaborativeDesign

Earlier this spring, students from MA Biodesign and MArch Architecture came together for UNIT 2 - Wool Futures: a collaborative exploration imagining Central Saint Martins as a living, regenerative community shared by humans and non-humans. 🌱

Using wool as both a resource stream and a living material, the unit challenged students to rethink architecture as something bioreceptive, adaptive, and deeply connected to ecological systems.

This group explored wool as a material for protection, mobility, and shared living. Inspired by nomadic shelters and the Turkish kepenek, the students designed a soft pavilion that blurs the boundary between garment and habitat, creating space for repair, cultivation, and collective care.

Special thanks to @britishwool for providing wonderful low processed wool materials for the students to explore and highlight its unique potentials in biodesign applications.

Project: Cornucopia of Heritage by Issy Rice, Minseo Jeon, Cagri Doner, Malo LeMaoult, Sara Gaviria Escobar, Justine de Riedmatten.

Teaching Team:
MA Biodesign @mabiodesign - Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc, Paula Nerlich @paula_nerlich, Jon Flint @joncflint, Digby Usher @digby.usher, Lucrezia Alessandroni @lucrezia.alessandroni

MArch Architecture @csm_architecture_march - Krish Nathaniel, Kleanthis Kyriakou @kleoldn , Andreas Lang

#MABiodesign #MArch #CentralSaintMartins #Biodesign #Architecture #LivingMaterials #WoolFutures #CollaborativeDesign

Earlier this spring, students from MA Biodesign and MArch Architecture came together for UNIT 2 - Wool Futures: a collaborative exploration imagining Central Saint Martins as a living, regenerative community shared by humans and non-humans. 🌱

Using wool as both a resource stream and a living material, the unit challenged students to rethink architecture as something bioreceptive, adaptive, and deeply connected to ecological systems.

This group explored wool as a material for protection, mobility, and shared living. Inspired by nomadic shelters and the Turkish kepenek, the students designed a soft pavilion that blurs the boundary between garment and habitat, creating space for repair, cultivation, and collective care.

Special thanks to @britishwool for providing wonderful low processed wool materials for the students to explore and highlight its unique potentials in biodesign applications.

Project: Cornucopia of Heritage by Issy Rice, Minseo Jeon, Cagri Doner, Malo LeMaoult, Sara Gaviria Escobar, Justine de Riedmatten.

Teaching Team:
MA Biodesign @mabiodesign - Nancy Diniz @biomatters.llc, Paula Nerlich @paula_nerlich, Jon Flint @joncflint, Digby Usher @digby.usher, Lucrezia Alessandroni @lucrezia.alessandroni

MArch Architecture @csm_architecture_march - Krish Nathaniel, Kleanthis Kyriakou @kleoldn , Andreas Lang

#MABiodesign #MArch #CentralSaintMartins #Biodesign #Architecture #LivingMaterials #WoolFutures #CollaborativeDesign

Beltane 💚🌞

Collecting microalgae from the Regent’s Canal

A field trip to collect microalgae from the Regent’s Canal, right opposite the Central Saint Martins campus. The samples were then taken back to the laboratory to examine their cells under a microscope.

A wonderful opportunity to explore the microscopic diversity right on our doorstep.

Thank you to the tutors and laboratory staff for their help.
@mabiodesign @growlabcsm

#biodesign #alge #microalgae #labo #csmedit

The Mills Fabrica Innovation Award 2026 returns for MA Biodesign.

As part of our longstanding collaboration with The Mills Fabrica @themillsfabrica_uk, this award supports a graduating student in taking their work beyond academia and into a wider innovation landscape.

🏆 What’s included:

— A 3-month residency in Hong Kong or London
— £1,000 funding to support further development
— Mentorship, exhibition opportunities, and access to a global community across techstyle and agrifood tech.

The selected project will be immersed in a space where design, technology, and sustainability intersect, with opportunities to share work through The Mills Fabrica’s wider platforms.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, with a second location in London, The Mills Fabrica is part of a reimagined textile mill: now a hub for experimentation, entrepreneurship, and forward-thinking ideas, bridging industrial heritage with future possibilities.

🌱 Supporting our biodesigners shaping their careers after graduation.

#MABiodesign #TheMillsFabrica #Biodesign #ResidencyOpportunity #incubator #mentorship #entreneurship @csm_news

The Mills Fabrica Innovation Award 2026 returns for MA Biodesign.

As part of our longstanding collaboration with The Mills Fabrica @themillsfabrica_uk, this award supports a graduating student in taking their work beyond academia and into a wider innovation landscape.

🏆 What’s included:

— A 3-month residency in Hong Kong or London
— £1,000 funding to support further development
— Mentorship, exhibition opportunities, and access to a global community across techstyle and agrifood tech.

The selected project will be immersed in a space where design, technology, and sustainability intersect, with opportunities to share work through The Mills Fabrica’s wider platforms.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, with a second location in London, The Mills Fabrica is part of a reimagined textile mill: now a hub for experimentation, entrepreneurship, and forward-thinking ideas, bridging industrial heritage with future possibilities.

🌱 Supporting our biodesigners shaping their careers after graduation.

#MABiodesign #TheMillsFabrica #Biodesign #ResidencyOpportunity #incubator #mentorship #entreneurship @csm_news

What if materials could help us sense the world differently?

Rafa Jorge Cecconi explores Bio Design through a practice that moves between the lab, the library and the studio. Working with bacterial cellulose, the project looks at how smart biomaterials can become more intuitive, sustainable interfaces for communicating data.

At CSM, Bio Design brings together biology, art and technology to imagine new ways of collaborating with living systems and rethinking our relationship with nature.

Find out more about the course via the link in bio!
@rafajcecconi @moombi_lab @jtm_csm @mabiodesign

‘BIOLOOPS’ by Ernest Wong @ernestwwww

2nd Year student, MA Biodesign @mabiodesign Central Saint Martins 

“In BIOLOOPS, living pigments are cultivated from microalgae, coating surfaces with time in a close-looped system. From living algae in a bespoke built rotating bioreactor to pigment-infused tiles and dyed textiles—this project explores a regenerative cycle of color, growth, and transformation through biodesign. - Ernest Wong  

Collaborators: Xivier Zhou, Kira Jiang 

JTM student, staff or alumni? Fill in the form via the link in jtm bio to be featured on our socials.

‘BIOLOOPS’ by Ernest Wong @ernestwwww

2nd Year student, MA Biodesign @mabiodesign Central Saint Martins 

“In BIOLOOPS, living pigments are cultivated from microalgae, coating surfaces with time in a close-looped system. From living algae in a bespoke built rotating bioreactor to pigment-infused tiles and dyed textiles—this project explores a regenerative cycle of color, growth, and transformation through biodesign. - Ernest Wong  

Collaborators: Xivier Zhou, Kira Jiang 

JTM student, staff or alumni? Fill in the form via the link in jtm bio to be featured on our socials.

‘BIOLOOPS’ by Ernest Wong @ernestwwww

2nd Year student, MA Biodesign @mabiodesign Central Saint Martins 

“In BIOLOOPS, living pigments are cultivated from microalgae, coating surfaces with time in a close-looped system. From living algae in a bespoke built rotating bioreactor to pigment-infused tiles and dyed textiles—this project explores a regenerative cycle of color, growth, and transformation through biodesign. - Ernest Wong  

Collaborators: Xivier Zhou, Kira Jiang 

JTM student, staff or alumni? Fill in the form via the link in jtm bio to be featured on our socials.

‘BIOLOOPS’ by Ernest Wong @ernestwwww

2nd Year student, MA Biodesign @mabiodesign Central Saint Martins 

“In BIOLOOPS, living pigments are cultivated from microalgae, coating surfaces with time in a close-looped system. From living algae in a bespoke built rotating bioreactor to pigment-infused tiles and dyed textiles—this project explores a regenerative cycle of color, growth, and transformation through biodesign. - Ernest Wong  

Collaborators: Xivier Zhou, Kira Jiang 

JTM student, staff or alumni? Fill in the form via the link in jtm bio to be featured on our socials.

‘BIOLOOPS’ by Ernest Wong @ernestwwww

2nd Year student, MA Biodesign @mabiodesign Central Saint Martins 

“In BIOLOOPS, living pigments are cultivated from microalgae, coating surfaces with time in a close-looped system. From living algae in a bespoke built rotating bioreactor to pigment-infused tiles and dyed textiles—this project explores a regenerative cycle of color, growth, and transformation through biodesign. - Ernest Wong  

Collaborators: Xivier Zhou, Kira Jiang 

JTM student, staff or alumni? Fill in the form via the link in jtm bio to be featured on our socials.

Let’s celebrate our MA Biodesign alumni 🌱

Currently exhibiting at the @lethabygallery as part of A Common Thread, an exhibition exploring hands-on relationships with materials through process-driven work by students, staff, and graduates of Central Saint Martins.

MABD alumni projects on view:
Akir Hall — Sumi Table Lamp
Andrea Carrera — micromomentum
Lucrezia Alessandroni — Olfactory Echoes

The exhibition runs until 26 April, so these are the last weeks to see it ✨
If you’re in London, don’t miss it!

#MABiodesign #CentralSaintMartins #LethabyGallery #sustainablecraft

Let’s celebrate our MA Biodesign alumni 🌱

Currently exhibiting at the @lethabygallery as part of A Common Thread, an exhibition exploring hands-on relationships with materials through process-driven work by students, staff, and graduates of Central Saint Martins.

MABD alumni projects on view:
Akir Hall — Sumi Table Lamp
Andrea Carrera — micromomentum
Lucrezia Alessandroni — Olfactory Echoes

The exhibition runs until 26 April, so these are the last weeks to see it ✨
If you’re in London, don’t miss it!

#MABiodesign #CentralSaintMartins #LethabyGallery #sustainablecraft

Let’s celebrate our MA Biodesign alumni 🌱

Currently exhibiting at the @lethabygallery as part of A Common Thread, an exhibition exploring hands-on relationships with materials through process-driven work by students, staff, and graduates of Central Saint Martins.

MABD alumni projects on view:
Akir Hall — Sumi Table Lamp
Andrea Carrera — micromomentum
Lucrezia Alessandroni — Olfactory Echoes

The exhibition runs until 26 April, so these are the last weeks to see it ✨
If you’re in London, don’t miss it!

#MABiodesign #CentralSaintMartins #LethabyGallery #sustainablecraft

We are pleased to share that Nancy Diniz, the MA Biodesign Course Leader will be presenting her work in the mini biodesign symposium “Architecture, Innovation, and New Frontiers”, alongside the AD book launch Biodesign, guest edited by Rachael Armstrong @rachelarmstrong665 and Richard Beckett @richard.p.beckett

The event features a mini symposium, a roundtable discussion, a student forum, and the official AD Biodesign book launch.

Speakers include:
• Nancy Diniz (bioMATTERS / Central Saint Martins, UAL)
• Marcos Cruz (Studio Biocene / Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)
• Claudia Pasquero (ecoLogicStudio / Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)
• Milad Showkatbakhsh (Emerging Technologies / Architectural Association)
• Richard Beckett (Beckett Lab / Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)
• Rachael Armstrong (RAAD / KU Leuven)
• Guest: Rolf Hughes (Education Director, EIT Culture and Creativity)

📅 20 March
🕕 18:00–21:00
📍 Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, UCL

🎟️ Register via the link in our bio

#Biodesign #AD #Architecture #LivingMaterials #livingcraft

A look back at our Year 2 MA Biodesign Working in Progress Show from a few weeks ago 🌱

It was a great moment to share ongoing lab experiments, prototypes, and emerging ideas with such an engaged community.

The projects sparked conversations around living materials, alternative futures, and how design and biology can come together to imagine more sustainable ways of living.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, and supported the work of our students while it continues to evolve. More updates coming soon 🌿

Projects: Xiaojing Jiang, Alice Offenbach, Anastasia Glass

Credits: Photographs by @biobyalice @joncflint

Team @mabiodesign
Nancy Diniz, Course Leader @biomatters.llc
Jon Flint, Lecturer in Fabrication @joncflint
Paula Nerlich, Senior Lecturer in Living Systems @paula_nerlich

#Biodesign #WorkInProgress #MAStudents #DesignResearch #BioMaterials #SustainableDesign

A look back at our Year 2 MA Biodesign Working in Progress Show from a few weeks ago 🌱

It was a great moment to share ongoing lab experiments, prototypes, and emerging ideas with such an engaged community.

The projects sparked conversations around living materials, alternative futures, and how design and biology can come together to imagine more sustainable ways of living.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, and supported the work of our students while it continues to evolve. More updates coming soon 🌿

Projects: Xiaojing Jiang, Alice Offenbach, Anastasia Glass

Credits: Photographs by @biobyalice @joncflint

Team @mabiodesign
Nancy Diniz, Course Leader @biomatters.llc
Jon Flint, Lecturer in Fabrication @joncflint
Paula Nerlich, Senior Lecturer in Living Systems @paula_nerlich

#Biodesign #WorkInProgress #MAStudents #DesignResearch #BioMaterials #SustainableDesign

A look back at our Year 2 MA Biodesign Working in Progress Show from a few weeks ago 🌱

It was a great moment to share ongoing lab experiments, prototypes, and emerging ideas with such an engaged community.

The projects sparked conversations around living materials, alternative futures, and how design and biology can come together to imagine more sustainable ways of living.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, and supported the work of our students while it continues to evolve. More updates coming soon 🌿

Projects: Xiaojing Jiang, Alice Offenbach, Anastasia Glass

Credits: Photographs by @biobyalice @joncflint

Team @mabiodesign
Nancy Diniz, Course Leader @biomatters.llc
Jon Flint, Lecturer in Fabrication @joncflint
Paula Nerlich, Senior Lecturer in Living Systems @paula_nerlich

#Biodesign #WorkInProgress #MAStudents #DesignResearch #BioMaterials #SustainableDesign

Discover our M School Postgraduate courses at Central Saint Martins. 

At our postgraduate Open Evening you’ll have the opportunity to speak with course teams and current students, tour our King’s Cross campus and experience our student-led exhibition, A Common Thread. 

The Lethaby, Central Saint Martins 
Tuesday 10th March 2026, 5:30pm-7:30pm 

Follow the link in @jtm_csm bio to book a place on the M School Postgraduate Open Evening. 

Image credit: ‘Seafolk’ by Jenna Handley

Discover our M School Postgraduate courses at Central Saint Martins. 

At our postgraduate Open Evening you’ll have the opportunity to speak with course teams and current students, tour our King’s Cross campus and experience our student-led exhibition, A Common Thread. 

The Lethaby, Central Saint Martins 
Tuesday 10th March 2026, 5:30pm-7:30pm 

Follow the link in @jtm_csm bio to book a place on the M School Postgraduate Open Evening. 

Image credit: ‘Seafolk’ by Jenna Handley

Discover our M School Postgraduate courses at Central Saint Martins. 

At our postgraduate Open Evening you’ll have the opportunity to speak with course teams and current students, tour our King’s Cross campus and experience our student-led exhibition, A Common Thread. 

The Lethaby, Central Saint Martins 
Tuesday 10th March 2026, 5:30pm-7:30pm 

Follow the link in @jtm_csm bio to book a place on the M School Postgraduate Open Evening. 

Image credit: ‘Seafolk’ by Jenna Handley

Our Year 1 students have reached their first milestone with the completion of Unit 1: Introducing Biological Systems!

Here’s a look at some of their fantastic work as they now move forward into Unit 2.

Title: IO
Project team: Lewis Jackson, @llewisjackson Juliette Ramiara, @gabrmaa Qiyu Yang, Nilo Ozcalisan, Yimeng Li

Team @mabiodesign ⤵️
Nancy Diniz, Course Leader @biomatters.llc
Paula Nerlich, Senior Lecturer in Living Systems @paula_nerlich 🌱
Jon Flint, Lecturer in Fabrication @joncflint
Digby Usher, Visiting Practicioner @digby.usher
Lorraine Archer, Associate Lecturer @alsacearrow

#MABD #CreativePractice #Unit1 #CSM #Biodesign #BiologicalSystems #BiologicalInterface