RMIT University
PROJECTS | 2021
Underland
Shanshan Wei, Mengke Lian, Haonan Ma, Frances Gordon
Based on research that shows how trees share nutrients through mycorrhizal networks, Underland is a living sculpture that uses cyanobacteria to represent how trees communicate and demonstrate resilience in the face of climate change.
Finalist Team
Instructor - 2021
Dr Ollie Cotsaftis
Dr Olivier Cotsaftis is a post-disciplinary designer navigating the spaces between presents, futures, fictions and realities. At RMIT University School of Design, his research addresses climate resilience and social innovation in urban heterotopias. Ollie is also the founder and creative director of future ensemble studio and the co-founder of Speculative Futures Melbourne—the Melbourne Chapter of The Design Futures Initiative.
ADVISOR - 2021
Dr Svenja Keune
Dr Svenja Keune is a postdoctoral researcher at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås and the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. She combines textile thinking and experimental textile design practice with biodesign, with an autobiographic research approach in order to investigate how to design and live with living organisms. Her research is currently funded by the Swedish Research Council.