From fire jackets made of fungi to architectural blocks crafted from algae and oyster shells, Melbourne‘s National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is delving into the evolving intersection between humanity and nature. The exhibition, “Plant Life: The Nature of Design,” features more than 60 works including furniture, architecture, decorative arts, and films to highlight the potential of plant-based materials.
A Vision of Sustainable Design Futures
Ewan McEoin, the NGV’s senior curator of contemporary design and architecture, emphasizes the historical reliance on natural materials before the petrochemical era. He envisions a future where plants reclaim their role as essential resources. The exhibition’s focus on sustainable materials includes the innovative “Plantbord,” a hemp-based display created by designer Joost Bakker in collaboration with Forest One, utilizing Plantics, the world’s first fully bio-based thermosetting resin.
“For most of human culture, up until the discovery and refinement of petrochemical-based products, everything was effectively either plant-, animal-, or mineral-based,” McEoin says.
Groundbreaking Exhibits
The Nature of Design in Innovative Materials
Urgent Is The Rhythm Bio-Masonry Blocks
Kate Scardifield utilizes over a tonne of algae biomass and oyster-shell waste to create innovative biomasonry blocks. Partnered with Edition Office, this project visualizes architecture built from these sustainable materials, promoting on-site algae cultivation and carbon capture.
Ecotono Shiringa Bio-Leather Jacket
Mozhdeh Matin collaborates with the Awajún people to transform shiringa tree sap into a plant-based leather jacket. This project not only showcases traditional sustainable techniques but also connects to a film by Emma Håkansson detailing the community’s symbiotic relationship with their environment.
Explore how architects are innovating with similar sustainable materials as seen in the NGV exhibition in Net-Zero Cultural Center, a beacon of architectural innovation.
Ply Loop Chair
Joris Laarman’s Ply Loop Chair introduces Plantics resin, replacing the toxic adhesives typically found in furniture production. Its unique looping form is a testament to the advancements in digital design and sustainable material use.
Sensbiom 2.1 by Crafting Plastics, a striking, UV-reactive biopolymer installation. Designed for flexibility as partitions or light filters, these lattices change color to reveal environmental conditions, turning invisible elements into visible experiences.
Resting Place Daybed
Fernando Laposse’s daybed, adorned with naturally dyed fabrics, is a commentary on global avocado demand and its impact on the social and ecological crisis in Mexico. The piece employs the Boro patchwork technique, infusing traditional repair methods with contemporary issues.
Banet Dining Chair Naked
Bart Schilder introduces a sustainable dining chair crafted from hemp fiber and fungi. This innovative design underscores the environmental benefits of using natural adhesives, significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to typical plastic counterparts.
Lanh My A Black Silk Ao Dai
Lo Silk revives the traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai using Lanh My A silk. Unique to the Mekong Delta, the deep black color comes from a meticulous plant-based dyeing process, showcasing a rich textile heritage.
Mycelium Wildfire Jacket for RMIT University
A collaboration led by Judith Glover, this prototype fire jacket, grown from mycelium leather, highlights groundbreaking bio-design techniques. The jacket combines durability with fire resistance, demonstrating the transformative potential of fungi-based materials.
For another fascinating look at sustainable architecture, visit Indonesia’s Split Mass Residence, which melds ecological design with flexible functionality.
The Plant Life exhibition will be displayed at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from 28 August 2026 to 7 February 2027, promising visitors a glimpse into a sustainable future built by plants.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials are used in the NGV exhibition’s fire jacket?
The fire jacket for RMIT University is grown from mycelium leather, showcasing groundbreaking bio-design techniques. It combines durability with fire resistance and demonstrates the transformative potential of fungi-based materials.
How are algae and oyster shells used in the NGV exhibition?
Kate Scardifield’s project utilizes over a tonne of algae biomass and oyster-shell waste to create innovative biomasonry blocks. This project promotes on-site algae cultivation and carbon capture, visualizing architecture built from these sustainable materials.
What is the Plantbord displayed at the NGV exhibition?
The Plantbord, a hemp-based display, is created by designer Joost Bakker in collaboration with Forest One. It utilizes Plantics, the world’s first fully bio-based thermosetting resin.