The rediscovered potential of ‘growing’ instead of ‘making’ drives the emergence of new materialities. This is leading to innovative developments in biotechnologies and Biodesign, both of which are intricately connected and seen as transformative elements in the discourse on sustainability. Biofabricated materials are starting to be evaluated using established sustainability metrics such as life cycle assessment, highlighting their essential role in the circular economy and shedding light on some overlooked process-dependent environmental burdens. At the same time, some biodesigned materials and artefacts are characterised by their ability to transcend the conventional concept of sustainability, embracing the principles of Regenerative Design thanks to the restorative and regenerative potential of living and bioreceptive materials. The study explores the main Biodesign variables, presenting a taxonomy created to comprehensively understand the phenomenon. The resulting findings highlighted the dual nature of Biodesign, which promotes both inner and outer sustainability. These findings gave rise to a conceptual framework defined as ‘Healing Materialities’, developed by the authors to highlight the main Biodesign variables discussed while addressing a broad spectrum of ecological potentials, from conventional to regenerative sustainability. The article discusses the concept of ‘Healing Materialities’, emphasising the role of Biodesign in supporting a profound ecological turn and advocating the adoption of regenerative materials and processes capable of harmonising the long-term needs of both human and non-human entities.

Biodesign, an innovative multidisciplinary approach to design, addresses anthropocentric challenges by minimizing ecological footprints in product and system creation. It incorporates living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, plants and algae into products and manufacturing processes. This approach harnesses the organisms’ potential, including their metabolic activities, growth, stimuli responses, reproductive capabilities, and relationships with other life forms, to create living-like design outcomes. Indigenous communities have a historical connection to living systems in agriculture, wine making and traditional crafts, offering valuable insights.

This paper presents a real-life case study of the Kotpad craft community in Odisha, India, highlighting their challenges. As indigenous communities like the Mirigan craftsmen face pressure to integrate into the mainstream economy, there is a risk of losing their connection with nature, traditional knowledge, and unique identity. The paper envisions the possibility of Biodesign applications in indigenous craft practices and explores hypothetical approaches to problem-solving by application of Synthetic Biology to indigenous crafts preservation. It critically analyzes the advantages, disadvantages, ethical considerations and socio-economic-cultural implications for the community.

The design field encompasses aspects of culture and thought and, ultimately, can integrate other disciplines like biology and engineering. One of the potentials of biodesign is the replacement of current materials with more sustainable ones. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer that is produced by microorganisms such as Komagataeibacter spp. and has been recently explored for applications in fashion, architecture and material science receiving global media attention. In this impact paper, it is assessed the challenges of producing BC through an analysis of its production and chemistry. Through a critical analysis of applied case studies, it is argued that there is yet work to be done to allow the widespread use of BC. In conclusion, the increased understanding of the acetic acid bacteria genetic landscape and biochemistry will potentiate the education, research, development, manufacture and market implementation of more feasible and sustainable cellulose-based products.