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Valentina Dipietro - Italian, Europe

2020 Winner | Biodesigner | Italian

As more of us live in increasingly urbanised locations, we have found ourselves yearning to spend time surrounded by soil and plants, while breathing fresh air. Mykor is an innovative biocomposite material developed to reconnect humans to their ecosystem. Mykor materials recreate the feeling of being in nature from within your house as they translate into homeware products, furniture and lighting. Mycelium, the "root" of mushrooms, has been used to bind wood waste with natural dyes. The mushroom strains will bind the waste material, grow in the span of four weeks in the right environmental conditions, involve minimum use of water and air-dry naturally. These materials are fire retardant, insulating and sound-absorbing and are available in a range of attractive colours. As an application for these materials, I have designed sound-absorbing tiles and also worked with an architect, to develop mycelium insulation for architecture. For the last few months, I have been designing and prototyping a commercial range of everyday products, from vases, wine chillers and lighting to furniture. Produced with local waste and inherently carbon-neutral, these products can be grown wherever needed and are easily decomposed back into the soil.

Valentina Dipietro is a biodesigner, researcher and graduate of the Royal College of Art in Textiles (MA) and of NABA Milan, in Fashion Design (BA). Adopting an experimental approach, Valentina works at the intersection of biology and design to explore innovative and disruptive sustainable designs for products, interiors and architecture. Previously having worked as a print designer and fashion editor, she has recently been a research resident at Green Lab, London. At the moment she is freelancing as well as having started her own design and consultancy business. She is also a visiting lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art.

Disclaimer: NOTE: This content was shared online for the 2019 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth programme and has not been updated. This listing does not constitute any endorsement by nor status with the UN Environment Programme.

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