The Plant Project – Resilience Part II

Plants are not just a future-oriented raw material for our products; they are vital to us both directly and indirectly. As key components of ecosystems, they serve as water reservoirs, insect food, or natural air conditioners. Now is the time to collaborate with plants to develop resilient materials, products, and symbiotic lifestyles.
Through diverse exchanges with designers, agricultural scientists, biologists, and geneticists, we explored the challenges and potential of partnering up with plants. We uncovered the abilities and needs of (nearly) forgotten plants, examined growth and alternative cultivation methods, and delved into synthetic biology to create desirable plants.
Plants became our partners in the quest for eco-intelligent solutions. We formed collaborations to cool cities, produce climate-friendly food, cultivate biodiverse gardens, develop alternative adhesives, establish new business models for paludiculture, and create long-term CO2 sinks. Even invasive plants emerged as allies in addressing the climate and resource crisis, both globally and regionally.

The results will be presented in November 2024 together with the subsequent semester project “The Insect Project – Resilience Part I” in the exhibition “Futures: Materials and Design of Tomorrow” exhibition at the GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts.