FF Bio-logical Material Tinkering
The Forschungsfeld Bio-logical Material Tinkering sets out to create a library of hybrid materials that blend bio-sourced and earthen elements, inspired by vernacular construction methods. Many traditional building techniques were inherently sustainable, demonstrating how local, low-tech, and low-carbon solutions can merge functionality with beauty. The course will culminate in a collaboration with Colombian artist Delcy Morelos, whose monumental, immersive sculptures explore the profound connections between people and the environment. Using natural materials like textiles, fibers, clay, and soil, her work invites viewers to see the earth as a living entity, not merely a territory to be owned. Morelos‘ practice, rooted in spiritual and ecological beliefs of interconnectivity and respect among all living things, often reflects on land use, ownership, and Colombia’s history of conflict and displacement. In the summer of 2026, she will use materials from the library to create a large-scale artwork at Bozar Brussels, showcasing the aesthetic and poetic potential of sustainable materials while highlighting the availability and ecological benefits of local, regrowable, and CO2-capturing resources.
The course is built on three core elements:
- BIO: Students will engage with their bioregion, learning how to detect, select, harvest, and process locally available natural resources. This phase encourages a deep connection with the landscape, understanding the potential of fibers, earth, and other natural materials.
- LOGICAL: This element focuses on applying critical thinking and strategic planning to material development. Students will assess material properties, consider availability, transformation, and ecological impacts. It is about finding the logic in natural resources—balancing creativity with practicality to make informed, sustainable design decisions.
- TINKERING: At the heart of the course lies material tinkering— a playful, hands-on approach to research that embraces complexity and encourages experimentation. Unlike linear, technical methods often seen in engineering, this approach draws from diverse influences, including material availability, behavior, and technical properties. It also considers cultural perceptions, aesthetics, and social factors—such as how a material’s appeal can vary depending on societal and individual backgrounds. Tinkering involves making, unmaking, and remaking materials, often leading to fresh and unexpected results.
Transport to Brussels has to be organized by the students themselves, we recommend to get a YouthMulti Pass of the belgian train company SNCB (6,60€ per ride for under 26 year olds).
FF Bio-logical Material Tinkering
The Forschungsfeld Bio-logical Material Tinkering sets out to create a library of hybrid materials that blend bio-sourced and earthen elements, inspired by vernacular construction methods. Many traditional building techniques were inherently sustainable, demonstrating how local, low-tech, and low-carbon solutions can merge functionality with beauty. The course will culminate in a collaboration with Colombian artist Delcy Morelos, whose monumental, immersive sculptures explore the profound connections between people and the environment. Using natural materials like textiles, fibers, clay, and soil, her work invites viewers to see the earth as a living entity, not merely a territory to be owned. Morelos‘ practice, rooted in spiritual and ecological beliefs of interconnectivity and respect among all living things, often reflects on land use, ownership, and Colombia’s history of conflict and displacement. In the summer of 2026, she will use materials from the library to create a large-scale artwork at Bozar Brussels, showcasing the aesthetic and poetic potential of sustainable materials while highlighting the availability and ecological benefits of local, regrowable, and CO2-capturing resources.
The course is built on three core elements:
- BIO: Students will engage with their bioregion, learning how to detect, select, harvest, and process locally available natural resources. This phase encourages a deep connection with the landscape, understanding the potential of fibers, earth, and other natural materials.
- LOGICAL: This element focuses on applying critical thinking and strategic planning to material development. Students will assess material properties, consider availability, transformation, and ecological impacts. It is about finding the logic in natural resources—balancing creativity with practicality to make informed, sustainable design decisions.
- TINKERING: At the heart of the course lies material tinkering— a playful, hands-on approach to research that embraces complexity and encourages experimentation. Unlike linear, technical methods often seen in engineering, this approach draws from diverse influences, including material availability, behavior, and technical properties. It also considers cultural perceptions, aesthetics, and social factors—such as how a material’s appeal can vary depending on societal and individual backgrounds. Tinkering involves making, unmaking, and remaking materials, often leading to fresh and unexpected results.
Transport to Brussels has to be organized by the students themselves, we recommend to get a YouthMulti Pass of the belgian train company SNCB (6,60€ per ride for under 26 year olds).