"Mycelium as a Design and Material System" Master thesis by Louis Wahlich
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Prof. Dr. Manuel Kretzer, Louis Möckel, WiSe 25/26, Master Integrated Design
@louiswhlch@materiability@manuel.kretzer@louismoeckel@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#resilience #architecture #biobasedmaterials
#livingmatter
#digitaLab, #digifab #generative #digitalfabrication #generatedmatter #adaptivedesign #materiabilitylab
We are pleased to announce the publication and release of the folio Biopolyester: Beyond Sustainability into Regeneration, by Vanessa Song. This folio is published by Riverside Architectural Press and is available as an open access PDF download at this link: /publication/biopolyester/
This publication comes out of Vanessa’s research as part of the Materiability Research Group, being supervised by Prof. Dr. Manuel Kretzer and Virginia Binsch. It is focused on redefining the fashion industry’s supply chain, transitioning from a take-make-dispose linear model to a reuse-re-make-revive circular model, effectively taking into consideration product’s end-of-life. By fusing design, material science, and circular principles, the research explores the potential of kombucha bacterial cellulose as a replacement of polyester in support of a circular fashion economy. The study questions the importance of traditionally used ingredients, such as table sugar, tea, SCOBY, and apple cider vinegar, in the making of kombucha material (commonly referred to as ‘kombucha leather’). Instead, experiments assess the potential of wheat starch-derived glucose and a resource-conserving recipe, producing a visually pleasing and robust material. The grown material is then transformed into threads and woven into a garment, highlighting its potential for textile applications. The research underscores the pressing necessity to move beyond sustainability towards adopting a regenerative approach.
With a shared interest in regenerative biomaterials, Vanessa Song joined the Materiability Research Group as a researcher in residency in March 2024. Building on the fully bio-based kombucha threads she developed during her master’s thesis, her following research delves into the integration of kombucha threads to create a hybrid textile fabric. This involves assessing the collective influence of weaving techniques and material combinations on textural behaviour.
@vcr____ve@lasg_research@materiability@philip.beesley@virginia_binsch@manuel.kretzer
#materialsresearch
#biomaterials
#materialproduction
The Mycelium Bike Box is a prototype cargo-bike box for urban logistics that explores mycelium-based, biodegradable infrastructure. By combining large-scale 3D printing with mycelial growth, it interweaves digital fabrication and organic processes into a single object.
Designed for decay, the box invites us to rethink how artefacts participate in ecological cycles, taking fungi as model decomposers and co-builders of matter. It asks: What responsibility arises when designed objects stop being static products and become transient, living agents within our shared environment?
This project was funded by ‘Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand’ as a collaboration between @hsanhalt and @digital.productions
Material research by @anna_gronemeyer_
Video by @louismoeckel and @sofia_stateczny
Synaptic Surfaces
Winter Semester 2025/26
This semester, students explored the dynamic interplay between bodily sensing and responsive materials. Perception becomes an active loop: biosignals meet adaptive surfaces that react in real time—shaping emotion, behavior, and spatial experience.
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Manuel Kretzer
Mentoring / Assistance: Virginia Binsch, Kristian Gohlke
Partners and External Advisors: Mike Herbig (AUDI), Luise Martin (adidas), Thomas Wiesel (adidas)
Students:
Veronica Jimenez
Gabriel Klassen
Caroline Neukirch
Maria Recuerdo Fuentes
Valentina Rudolph
Fabian Toralf Schmidt
Materiability Research Group
within the framework of "Autonomous Materials: Interface to a Technical System, Multi-Sensory Interaction and for the Generation of Emotion, Safety, and Trust", funded by the European Union and the State of Saxony-Anhalt (EFRE)
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Design Department Dessau
Cooperations and Partners:
AUDI AG Ingolstadt
adidas AG
Gtec
BrainBit
Video:
Thimith Rodrigo
"Mona" by Klassen & Rudolph
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GP "Synaptic Surfaces"
Exploring how perception shapes our interaction with the world — and how materials can sense, adapt, and respond in real time.
From EEG signals to shape-changing prototypes, this class investigated the interface between body, emotion, and environment through smart materials and experimental fabrication.
@materiability@manuel.kretzer@kristian_gohlke@virginia_binsch@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#smartmaterials #responsivedesign #materialintelligence #futureofdesign #biomaterials #3dprinting #adaptivearchitecture #interactiondesign #materialresearch #computationaldesign #softrobotics #wearabletech #designinnovation #materiabilitylab
"A Wearable Hug" by Maria Recuerdo & Veronica Jimenez
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GP "Synaptic Surfaces"
Exploring how perception shapes our interaction with the world — and how materials can sense, adapt, and respond in real time.
From EEG signals to shape-changing prototypes, this class investigated the interface between body, emotion, and environment through smart materials and experimental fabrication.
@materiability@manuel.kretzer@kristian_gohlke@virginia_binsch@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#smartmaterials #responsivedesign #materialintelligence #futureofdesign #biomaterials #3dprinting #adaptivearchitecture #interactiondesign #materialresearch #computationaldesign #softrobotics #wearabletech #designinnovation #materiabilitylab
"Cinetic Panel" by Schmidt & Neukirch
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GP "Synaptic Surfaces"
Exploring how perception shapes our interaction with the world — and how materials can sense, adapt, and respond in real time.
From EEG signals to shape-changing prototypes, this class investigated the interface between body, emotion, and environment through smart materials and experimental fabrication.
@materiability@manuel.kretzer@kristian_gohlke@virginia_binsch@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#smartmaterials #responsivedesign #materialintelligence #futureofdesign #biomaterials #3dprinting #adaptivearchitecture #interactiondesign #materialresearch #computationaldesign #softrobotics #wearabletech #designinnovation #materiabilitylab
"Bat Cave" by Fabian Schmidt, Louis Wahlich, Emily Helbig
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Elective "SYMB-IO-NTS" SS 25
Exploring how design might shift
from a human-centered discipline to one that embraces symbiotic
relationships with other lifeforms.
@materiability@manuel.kretzer@ali.et.ti@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#artificialintelligence #symbiont #aidesign #materialintelligence #3dprint #postnaturalism #morethanhumandesign #futureofdesign #generativedesign #parametricai #aiandcreativity #aiinfabrication #designtech #aiinmaterialresearch #adaptivedesign #smartmaterialsai #aimaterialslab #materiabilitylab #aidrivendesign
"Biomorphic Shell" by Mohammad Heidari Abhari, Tanvi Kulkarni, Eslam Mohammed, Amireza Noparvar
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Elective "SYMB-IO-NTS" SS 25
Exploring how design might shift
from a human-centered discipline to one that embraces symbiotic
relationships with other lifeforms.
@materiability@manuel.kretzer@ali.et.ti@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#artificialintelligence #symbiont #aidesign #materialintelligence #3dprint #postnaturalism #morethanhumandesign #futureofdesign #generativedesign #parametricai #aiandcreativity #aiinfabrication #designtech #aiinmaterialresearch #adaptivedesign #smartmaterialsai #aimaterialslab #materiabilitylab #aidrivendesign
"Pigeons on Shrooms" by Nursan Akinci, Idil Akünal, Areeshah Qureshi, Hamzeh Za'balawi
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Elective "SYMB-IO-NTS" SS 25
Exploring how design might shift
from a human-centered discipline to one that embraces symbiotic
relationships with other lifeforms.
@materiability@manuel.kretzer@ali.et.ti@designhochschuleanhalt@hsanhalt
#artificialintelligence #symbiont #aidesign #materialintelligence #3dprint #postnaturalism #morethanhumandesign #futureofdesign #generativedesign #parametricai #aiandcreativity #aiinfabrication #designtech #aiinmaterialresearch #adaptivedesign #smartmaterialsai #aimaterialslab #materiabilitylab #aidrivendesign
