I am an experimental designer and researcher investigating the intersection of sensory experiences, multi-species design, and future thinking. My work encompasses biomaterials, speculative design, and knowledge-sharing, advancing the boundaries of biodesign innovation.
My journey began in textile design and has evolved into a profound engagement with living materials. My projects include DIY biomaterials made from food surplus and collaborative biofabrication with microorganisms. I employ biodesign with various organisms, such as shaping bacterial cellulose through textiles and merging scent-emitting microorganisms with textile systems to curate living fragrances. At the MABD I share my skills in sculpting with mycelium and crafting three-dimensional bacterial cellulose.
My portfolio includes client commissions, creative research, and large-scale interactive installations. Teaching and sharing my evolving skills through both virtual and in-person workshops has been a crucial part of my practice, engaging with a global community and fostering discourse in biodesign.
At MA Biodesign, I guide students in cultivating their curiosity and self-directed exploration of living materials. Through studio and lab workshops, lectures, and dynamic tutorial exchanges, I assist them in developing hands-on skills in biodesign and material experimentation.
Previously, as Creative Producer at the community lab ASCUS Art & Science, I facilitated interdisciplinary collaborations between molecular chemistry and design. I curated workshops and creative experiments that dismantled scientific language barriers, fostering new ways of thinking and working across disciplines.
My PhD research at the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment currently investigates the fusion of textile fabrication and microbiology. I am creating living textiles that emit curated scents and designing textile systems to accommodate bacterial organisms with specific functions. This research aligns with "Textile Thinking," an approach that acknowledges both the tangible and intangible sensory qualities of textiles. By examining human-bacterial relationships, I aim to develop living textiles as innovative healthy materials for the built environment.
Beyond my PhD, I contribute to projects such as ‘Human-Bacteria Interfaces,’ a funded initiative under the Driving the Human call. My work consistently bridges disciplines, fostering innovative collaborations that reimagine the future of sensory, living, and regenerative materials.
https://www.paulanerlich.comhttp://bbe.ac.uk/paula-nerlich/