Interview in Unity magazine
Unity magazine profiles our founder’s journey into nature-inspired design and our services for business looking to work with, not against nature. Read the interview in full here, and find a summary below.
Unlocking the Future: Dr. Melissa Sterry’s Vision for Nature-Inspired Innovation and Design
Dr. Melissa Sterry, a leading expert in nature-inspired design and founder of Bioratorium®, is reshaping industries by drawing on nature’s unparalleled innovation. By studying ecosystems, species, and natural processes, Sterry develops groundbreaking solutions that address today’s most pressing environmental and societal challenges. From sustainable cities to biodegradable products, her work proves that nature holds the key to creating resilient, regenerative systems.
Sterry’s journey into biomimicry began in her teens, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s nature-driven designs. While still an undergraduate, she created the seminal concept in cradle-to-cradle apparel design - a fashion collection that safely biodegraded back into the environment, compostable clothing, paving the way for her lifelong focus on sustainable innovation at the edge of design, science, and nature. Today, through projects like Bionic City®, which founded in 2010, was the world’s first design project to explore the question, ‘how would nature design a city’ with resilience to natural hazards, and Panarchic Codex®, the seminal research programme to develop an architecture wildfire resilience framework based on plant species that have evolved to live with wildfire, Sterry continues to lead the way in bio-innovation.
What Is Nature-Inspired Design?
Nature-inspired design, or biomimicry, involves applying principles found in species and the ecosystems they form (ecomimicry) to human-made concepts and systems. For example, Leonardo da Vinci mimicked birds to create his flight concepts and used river systems as a model for water infrastructure. Similarly, Sterry’s work channels these lessons from nature into practical solutions for industries such as architecture, manufacturing, utilities, and renewables.
How Bioratorium® Leads in Nature-Inspired Innovation
Bioratorium® is London-based, global consultancy specialising in biomaterials, biodesign, biocomputing, and the bio-fields at large. Its mission is to help businesses adopt nature-inspired innovation to drive sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. From R&D to commercial strategies, Bioratorium® enables companies to design products, services, and systems that mimic natural processes.
At its core is Labioratorium®, an R&D hub where leading researchers and industries collaborate to solve challenges through bio-innovation. From prototyping sustainable materials to exploring circular economy solutions, this cutting-edge lab ensures businesses stay ahead of the curve.
Transforming Industries with Bio-Education
Bioratorium® also offers BIOstudium™, an educational platform designed to empower businesses to embrace nature-inspired strategies. Through workshops, masterclasses, and online courses, BIOstudium™ equips teams with the tools to implement circular design, resilient systems, and ecological thinking. Programs are tailored to various industries and expertise levels, ensuring accessibility for all.
Navigating the Bioeconomy with Bioratorium®
For companies looking to thrive in the growing bioeconomy, Bioratorium® offers strategic services through its Bio-enterprise program. This includes white papers, market foresight, and ethical frameworks that guide businesses in adopting biomimicry and bio-inspired innovation. Whether tackling production challenges or identifying market trends, Bioratorium® provides the expertise to navigate this transformative space.
Why Nature-Inspired Innovation Matters
As global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity intensify, businesses are turning to nature-based solutions for sustainable growth. By applying lessons from ecosystems, companies can create products and systems that are not only sustainable but regenerative. Dr. Melissa Sterry believes that bio-innovation holds the key to long-term resilience, offering solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
The Future of Nature-Inspired Design
Sterry envisions a world where cities function as ecosystems, buildings adapt like living organisms, and products biodegrade seamlessly. Projects like growing furniture from trees or designing biodegradable textiles illustrate the immense potential of nature-inspired design to transform industries.
Join the Movement
Bioratorium® is at the forefront of the nature-inspired innovation revolution. By integrating biological principles into design, production, and strategy, businesses can drive innovation while building a more sustainable future.
Discover how nature-inspired design can revolutionise your industry, explore the future of bio-innovation, and start designing with nature today.