"Bio"plastics?

Designing with—and within—nature.

An exploration into biomaterials, their promises and their contradictions.

In this long-term exploration, I set out to create a series of bioplastic materials, testing multiple recipes and textures—seeking not just aesthetic form, but biological viability. The outcome was a speculative prototype: a futuristic bio-accessory, grown through trial, texture, and time.

But every success revealed a new paradox.

As the materials evolved—moving from gelatin-based blends to biocuero infused with cinnamon to resist humidity—I began questioning not just how to make better materials, but what “better” truly means. Some so-called “eco” materials proved more problematic than synthetic ones, both in biodegradability and production ethics.

The next chapter turned to the sea.

Inspired by algae as a regenerative source, I experimented with filamentous species using different hydration methods (tap water, purified water, collagen) in search of natural plasticization. Yet the response was minimal. Later, with Didymo, an invasive freshwater alga known for its overproliferation, I found the opposite: high responsiveness, but no operational control.

These trials offered no final product—just deeper questions.

What makes a material truly sustainable? What does it mean to co-create with life?

This body of work is not a solution. It’s a call to stay curious, to stay critical, and to keep designing at the intersection of science, environment, and imagination.

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