There is a growing need and drive to enjoy new ways of learning about sustainability. In addition, people are asking for forms of leisure away from the fast urban rhythms and that are committed to the creation of community and meaningful relationships.

What better way to learn Sustainability and Biomimicry, than in Nature itself?

Together with Imita Natura, we created BIO LAB, an educational and cultural experience around Biomimicry and Bioinspired Design. The first of the activities carried out in BIO LAB was Summer Bio Lab 2023: a weekend experience in nature.

Summer Bio Lab offers different workshops and activities, in which various organizations and professionals collaborate. In the 2023 edition, the following activities were carried out:

• Biomaterials workshop.
• Natural dyes workshop, with Empar Alandete (Salut Textil).
• Biomimicry and bio-inspired project design workshop, facilitated by Imita Natura and Monnou.
• Biomimetic dance with Micaela from Ropero Fractal.
• Yoga and meditation in nature with Alba from Emovem.

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The activity was held at Camping Rural La Masía, and included sustainable catering with vegan and vegetarian options. In addition, there were leisure activities that encouraged networking, teambuilding and the generation of community ties.

Since the 2023 edition, different people and organizations have also participated. Some have contributed their expertise and knowledge; others have provided materials and food, or have collaborated in the dissemination. Among them are the Universitat Politécnica de València or Biomimetic Institute. Also Herbes del Molí, a company that provided organic vegetable waste from which biomaterials were made. And Lluna, producers of organic beer. Both companies are local.

Training and cultural experiences, just like digital experiences, are also designed. Through Service Design methodologies we gave life to this first edition, and we have continued to evolve the whole concept.

As part of the design process, we conducted interviews with people who potentially belonged to the target audience. We also conducted field visits to potential sites for the activity.

On the other hand, experiments were conducted in advance of the workshops to be proposed, in order to test and improve them. Various stakeholders were involved in the design process, including collaborating companies and organizations.

Summer Bio Lab 2023 expanded the learning of new methods of bio-inspired and sustainable design, from methodologies such as Biomimicry to the creation of biomaterials and natural dyes. It also contributed to create new alliances and community in the territory, and to strengthen ties between people and institutions aligned with Sustainability.

To be informed of upcoming editions, visit the BIO LAB page on our Academy. Today, BIO LAB is more than a periodic edition of this experience. It is a community of people and entities interested in Biomimicry, Sustainability, and new ways of doing things.