Practices in Bio-design: Design Research Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract

Within the emerging field of bio-design, there is a growing need for interdisciplinary practice and collaboration that enables design with living organisms. To facilitate such work, designers often venture outside of the limits of their own design field and engage with methods, knowledge and language of other disciplines. Bio-design collaborations range from fundamental studies to applied research that incorporates existing knowledge and ideas. The examples presented in this paper are part of the author’s doctoral research in architecture by creative practice that include a fundamental study of photosynthetic bio-composite materials, an applied materials study through the use of fabrication with living organisms and an eco-philosophical graphic novel based on conversations with scientists. The outlined studies demonstrate the adoption of laboratory methods within design practice, the integration of existing scientific work within design and the organic exchange of ideas through alternative methods of visual communication. The paper explores the opportunities and limitations of such practices and highlights their importance within the field of bio-design. The presented studies help define a spectrum of interdisciplinary collaboration in relationship to discipline specific skills utilized depending on design intent and outcome. This paper seeks to highlight the benefits of knowledge and skills transfer through bio-design collaboration, offering a range of possibilities using different mediums and modes of communication between practitioners of the science and design fields.