Discarded tree forks could replace load-bearing joints in architecture projects using a construction technique developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More about MIT engineers build load-bearing structures using tree forks instead of steel joints
The Eindhoven University of Technology has led a project building a bridge that is partly made from flax in The Netherlands, aiming to demonstrate the material's potential to replace steel in construction. More about Smart Circular Bridge built with flax completes in The Netherlands
An exhibition in Mexico curated in collaboration with Danish research lab Space10 has showcased five novel uses for local biomaterials. More about Five designers in Mexico exhibit new uses for biomaterials
Rice starch, fish bones and oyster shells from the kitchen of Gothenburg restaurant Vrå were combined to form this dual-purpose stool and side table, created by local designer Carolina Härdh. More about Carolina Härdh crafts furniture for restaurant Vrå from its own food waste
The Unwasted collection of bags by Chinese designer Meng Du are made with an alternative leather produced from leftover grape skins. More about Meng Du creates Unwasted bags from grape leather
London practice Blast Studio has developed a method for 3D printing with living mycelium and used it to form a column that could be harvested for mushrooms before serving as a structural building element. More about Blast Studio 3D prints column from mycelium to make "architecture that could feed people"
Berlin-based textile designer Youyang Song has used fruit peels and algae to create a biodegradable plant-based material that offers an alternative to leather. More about Peelsphere is a leather-alternative biomaterial made from fruit waste and algae
After being confined to small-scale experiments for years, biomaterials finally catapulted into the mainstream in 2021 according to the architects, designers and manufacturers using them as building blocks for a new low-carbon economy. More about Biomaterial companies see "explosion in interest" as sales double in a year
The fable of the Three Little Pigs highlights negative perceptions about natural construction materials, according to James Drinkwater, head of Built Environment at philanthropic climate organisation the Laudes Foundation. More about Three Little Pigs story reinforces prejudices that biomaterials are "terrible"
Thinking of using natural materials in your project? Our latest Dezeen guide includes 12 types of biomaterials commonly used in architecture, design and interiors. More about The Dezeen guide to bio-based materials in architecture, design and interiors
Rough clay walls, river-stone flooring and a seating topography formed from OSB panels feature in our latest lookbook, which rounds up 10 restaurant interiors that bring in natural elements. More about Ten texture-heavy restaurant interiors filled with natural materials
Parsons School of Design graduate Zihao Fang has developed Aquastor, a biodegradable vessel designed to fight the spread of deserts that's made using only readily available local resources. More about Zihao Fang designs anti-desertification vessel based on termite mounds
Architect and designer Neri Oxman describes Aguahoja III, a pavilion robotically manufactured from organic matter, in this article prepared as part of Oxman's contribution to the Dezeen 15 festival. More about Biopolymer Aguahoja III pavilion shows how "we can begin to redesign our built structures as if they were grown" writes Neri Oxman
Dutch designer Nienke Hoogvliet has teamed up with entrepreneur Anne Boermans to launch Zeefier, a brand that will offer natural textile dyes made entirely from seaweed. More about Nienke Hoogvliet launches Zeefier brand to produce natural seaweed dyes for the fashion industry
Sustainable startup Notpla has created an edible, biodegradable packaging made from seaweed and plants that was designed to replace plastic. More about Notpla is a biodegradable material designed "to make packaging disappear"
New York studio The Living developed a pavilion for the Venice Architecture Biennale to demonstrate how organic materials with microbial properties could be used in architecture to help create healthier environments for humans. More about The Living creates "probiotic" architectural pavilion that supports living microbes
Architects could soon be designing homes and other buildings using nothing but biomaterials, according to Biobased Creations CEO Lucas De Man. More about Buildings could "definitely" be made exclusively from plant-based products says biomaterials CEO
Eco-design studio Biobased Creations has built a showhome almost entirely from biomaterials including wood, mycelium, seaweed, straw and vegetable fibres as well as earth and sewage. More about House built from 100 different plant-based materials unveiled at Dutch Design Week
Rules restricting the use of wood in UK buildings are hampering the switch to low-carbon building methods, according to timber architecture expert Andrew Waugh. More about UK rules on building with timber are a "policy car crash" says Andrew Waugh
Industrial designer Luis Undritz has created a printer that produces images by projecting light onto algae and is on show as part of the Materialized exhibition at Milan design week. More about Luis Undritz designs printer that creates "living" images from algae