The latest crop of makers shows that design no longer meekly stays on a pedestal. From algae that glow softly to a waste bin with a striking amount of self-confidence. In this selection, nature elegantly rubs against technology, resulting in objects that make you look at the world differently for a moment. And perhaps even at your trash can…
Creative with algae
The 'living look' from Iris van Herpen's Sympoiesis collection is a creation made with 125 million bioluminescent algae. The innovative design, manufactured using custom-made molds and a specially developed nutrient gel, is cared for like a living ecosystem. The algae species Pyrocystis lunula, which occurs naturally in the sea, produces light as a defense mechanism. Until March 1, 2025, this exceptional creation is on display to the general public for the first time in the exhibition. Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses in Kunsthal Rotterdam. In the museum, the biological system of the algae is simulated: humidity, temperature, and the algae's day-night rhythm are carefully regulated to optimize the living environment. The name Sympoiesis, derived from the Greek 'to make together', emphasizes that the collection revolves around collaboration, symbiosis, and interconnectedness. Van Herpen's innovative approach shows how fashion can emerge from a dialogue between humans and nature, and invites us to radically reconsider our view of clothing and creation.
Kunsthal.nl | Irisvanherpen.com
Shining mushrooms
The series of small objects that Stefano Caimi Funghi Polypore What he calls this was on display at Art Rotterdam 2025. For this, Caimi used real mushrooms, which he treated with a conductive graphite-based paint. Subsequently, the objects underwent an electrolytic process in which a thin layer of copper deposits on the surface. The result produced refined, glossy objects that could be described as 'copper bracket fungi'. The natural material from which such a bracket fungus is composed is not lost during this process; it remains preserved beneath a thin, copper-colored skin. The mushroom thus becomes a symbol of transformation and emphasizes the natural cycle of decay and renewal.
Stefanocaimi.com/polypore
Symphony of glass, light and sound
The poetic installation Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness by Amsterdam design studio Rive Roshan is a sensory ode to light, hope, and human resilience. In a time that often feels dark, designers Golnar Roshan and Ruben de la Rive Box created a space where light, color, and sound merge into a moment of wonder. The intimate installation consists of a two-minute multi-sensory performance in which new glassworks dance with a custom-made light choreography by Bram van Ravenhorst and a hypnotic soundscape by Julian Enequist, featuring vocals by Iranian singer Mahsa Vahdat. The result is an experience in which the light itself seems to breathe: from the cool glow of the morning air to the warm hues of the setting sun. Central to this was the idea of chiaroscuro – the interplay between light and dark that has symbolized contrast and emotion since the Renaissance. Rive Roshan translated this classical principle into a contemporary message: even the smallest moments of light can be meaningful. With glass panels that allow color and reflection to shift like water, and an interactive light column that responds to the presence of visitors, Chiaroscuro invites you to pause and feel. “In times of uncertainty,” says Roshan, “we want to remember that wonder can be found everywhere.” A masterful symphony of glass, light, and sound. And a powerful plea to keep seeking the light.
Riveroshan.com
Nature as a taste determinant
Designer Doortje den Hartigh gives in her project Leaf it to Nature Nature literally takes back the reins. Her installation brews tea whose flavor changes in real-time along with the weather on the plantation: sun, rain, or wind – every type of weather leaves behind its own unpredictable signature. The work taps into a confronting thought: we are so accustomed to predictability that we often forget that real nature is never identical. Today, products must always taste the same, always meet expectations, and always be controlled. But nature makes no copies. That tension touches upon a larger story. Our bodies evolved in a world where food was scarce and tastes capricious. Now we live in a completely reversed reality: abundant, ultra-processed food that tastes the same everywhere, yet simultaneously leaves us structurally deficient in essential nutrients. We eat more than ever, yet paradoxically become malnourished. Leaf it to Nature invites us to reconsider that relationship. By giving nature a direct voice in something as basic as taste, the installation reminds us of the value of imperfection and variation. It is a gentle yet clear call to learn to trust nature again, and our own bodies.
Doortjedenhartigh.com
Waste bin with design status
Stefan Diez of Diez Office started with one ambition: to elevate the waste bin from a concealed necessity into a distinctive design element. While waste bins are traditionally preferably invisible and purely functional, BOSS takes a different approach. The system, designed for Hydro, makes recycling not only practical but also aesthetic and visible. The design is constructed from just two custom-developed aluminium profiles, allowing for the assembly of countless variations. This simplicity is deliberate: less material, more flexibility, and a refined appearance that adapts effortlessly to any space. The profiles click seamlessly together to form a self-supporting structure. Every detail is incorporated directly into the profile, resulting in an impressive formal purity. BOSS proves that even a waste bin can become a piece of design culture.
Diezoffice.com
