Bio-Augmented Materiality, Towards the Next Biomimicry

Abstract

The paper joins the debate on the emerging material revolution that extends computational and biological principles to matter itself, becoming intrinsically sensitive, active, programmable. It aims to explain how the informed relations between digital, physical and biological worlds are today changing the design practice, as well as the sustainability paradigm. The new concept of “Bio-Augmented Materiality” is presented, which refers to future products no longer made of parts but as “material systems” in which material-product-performance are designed as a single entity through information, growth and adaptation to the context. Finally, this conceptual mutation paves the way to the next biomimicry in which multidisciplinary research strategies and the ability to code and decode life principles are helpful for sustainable scenarios, not simply aimed to reduce the human impact on the ecosystem, rather enhance nature through original forms of cooperation and integration between human, biology and artifice.