13. Implications and applications¶

Research & Concept¶

Project Exploration & Selection¶

After reflecting on my desires, needs, and long-term research interests, I identified five project directions that resonate with my practice.

Interactive Garden
Wellness & Healing Products (Tech-Enhanced)
Brainwave Synchrony — Dual EEG Installation
Bioluminescence & Quorum Sensing Installation
Geometric Objects for Audiovisual Interaction

Some of these concepts require deeper research and will be developed with other stakeholders in the future. The bioluminescence bacteria may be integrated into the current project if feasible and if it does not overload the overall system. Among possible directions, I chose Interactive Garden as my final project for Fabricademy, as it best embodies my focus on biodata, multisensory interaction, and new forms of communication between humans and living systems.

Interactive Garden¶

A living interface between plants, humans, and biodata

Plant Biodata, Soft Robotics & Multisensory Systems

Abstract¶

Interactive Garden is an immersive installation where real plants communicate their health through interactive elements. Soil moisture sensors read plant biodata, and when a plant thrives, it triggers pneumatic silicone flowers to bloom, creating a dynamic and playful visual display, turning invisible biological processes into expressive, tangible gestures. The installation functions autonomously, yet it can also respond to human presence. The system integrates human biofeedback, such as heartbeat—and potentially EEG—to introduce an additional layer of interaction. This subtle modulation enriches the environment and fosters a symbiotic dialogue between the visitor and the living system. Future iterations may incorporate bioluminescent or fluorescent materials to enhance the atmospheric and poetic experience. By combining soft robotics, environmental sensing, and biofeedback, Interactive Garden proposes a responsive ecosystem made of soft, modular, and flexible components. It invites contemplation, presence, and a renewed awareness of the slow rhythms and signals of living organisms.

Keywords¶

GENERAL KEYWORDS: Multisensory Interaction, Human–Plant Communication, Biofeedback Systems, Soft Robotics, Responsive Ecosystem, Biophilic Design

MOOD KEYWORDS: Immersive, Meditative, Visionary, Symbiotic, Wonder

References & Inspiration¶

State of Art¶

Implication and Application moadboard by Carlotta Premazzi

Studio Drift — Shylight https://studiodrift.com/work/shylight/
PNAT Project Nature — The Hidden Plant Community https://www.pnat.net/it/project/the-hidden-plant-community/
Teresa van Dongen — bioluminescent light projects https://www.teresavandongen.com/
Philips Research — Bio-Light (2012) https://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/29/bio-light-by-philips-design/
Studio Roosegaarde—Glowing-Garden https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/glowing-nature/
ecologicstudio, H.O.R.T.U.S. XL Astaxanthin.g https://www.ecologicstudio.com/projects/h-o-r-t-u-s-xl-astaxanthin-g

Innovations¶

Recent innovations in art, design, and technology explore new ways of interacting with living systems through sensing, soft materials, and responsive environments. Advances in soft robotics enable gentle, organic movements that can mimic natural behaviors, making technology less intrusive and more expressive. At the same time, developments in bio-sensing technologies allow real-time reading of environmental and biological data, such as soil moisture or human physiological signals, opening new possibilities for responsive and adaptive installations. Innovations in biodesign and bio-art increasingly use living organisms or biological processes as active components of interactive systems, shifting the role of technology from control to mediation. These approaches prioritize low-energy systems, modularity, and material softness, aligning with sustainable and ecological design principles.

Trends in Academic Research key scientific publications¶

Plant Intelligence & Plant Signaling
Multispecies Interaction & More-than-Human Design
Soft Robotics & Biomimetic Systems
Biofeedback & Physiological Computing
Immersive & Multisensory Interaction Design

Relation to the project¶

Interactive Garden directly builds upon these projects, innovations, and research trends by combining plant biodata, soft robotics, and human biofeedback into a single multisensory system. Rather than simulating nature, the project listens to and translates real biological signals, transforming them into gentle movements and sound. This approach aligns with contemporary research in plant intelligence, multispecies design, and soft robotic systems, while extending them into an experiential and poetic installation.

WHAT — Project Definition¶

Interactive Garden is a multisensory installation and responsive ecosystem that combines real plants, environmental sensing, soft robotics, and human biodata. It functions as an interactive system where plant signals are translated into gentle pneumatic movements, and human rhythms can subtly influence the environment. The project is both an artwork and a living interface, exploring new forms of communication between humans and plants through sound, movement, and shared biological rhythms.

WHATWHO — Stakeholders & Users¶

Stackeholder * Designer / Artist (Carlotta Premazzi): develops the concept, aesthetic, and technical integration. * Plants and Living Systems: central actors that generate biodata and influence the environment. * Visitors / Participants: individuals who experience the installation and contribute biodata such as heartbeat. * Fabricademy & Biolab: provide technical guidance, research frameworks, and prototyping facilities. * Curators / Museums / Cultural Institutions / Art Festivals: potential hosts of the installation, benefiting from an innovative interactive artwork. * Environmental & Bio-design Communities.

Users

People seeking immersive, multisensory experiences.
Individuals interested in nature, wellness, and contemplative environments.
Students, researchers, and designers exploring biodata, soft robotics, and plant-based interaction.
Broader audiences curious about new forms of communication between humans and the natural world.

WHY — Motivation & Relevance¶

The project addresses our growing disconnection from nature by revealing the real-time signals of plants and making their rhythms perceptible. It promotes sustainability by fostering awareness, empathy, and ecological responsibility through low-impact, biomimetic technologies. Its innovation lies in combining plant biodata, soft robotics, and human biofeedback to create a new model of communication that is multisensory, slow, and non-verbal.

HOW — Method & Approach¶

Tools & Technologies¶

Sensing: soil moisture sensors, basic environmental sensors, heartbeat sensor optional EEG.
Microcontrollers: ESP32 or Arduino for data collection, OSC for communication.
Soft Robotics: silicone molds, pneumatic chambers, air pumps, valves, laser-cut or 3D-printed structures.
Sound & Interaction: TouchDesigner, Ableton/PureData/MAXmsp.
Fabrication: silicone casting, 3D printing, laser cutting, modular assembly for flowers and structures.

Approach¶

Collect plant biodata (soil moisture, environmental conditions).
Translate biodata into movement using pneumatic soft robotics (flowers opening/closing).
Integrate human biofeedback (heartbeat → micro-modulations in sound, movement, atmosphere).
Combine signals to create a shared responsive ecosystem between plants, humans, and the installation.
Develop a multisensory environment with soft movement, subtle sound, slow rhythms, and atmospheric design.
Iterate through prototypes: materials, pneumatics, sensing pipelines, and sound responses.

Plan A / B / C¶

Plan A — Full System (plant biodata + pneumatics + heartbeat + sound)
Plan B — Reduced Interaction (biodata + pneumatics + simple heartbeat layer)
Plan C — Minimal System (biodata → pneumatics only).

System Diagram¶

Interactive Garden System Diagram by Carlotta Premazzi

Full Presentation¶

Interactive Garden Final Project Presentation Proposal. Carlotta Premazzi, 2025/2026 Biolab Lisbon

Download Interactive Garden FPP PDF

🔗 References

Plant Intelligence & Plant Signaling

Brenner ED, Stahlberg R, Mancuso S, Vivanco J, Baluska F, Van Volkenburgh E. Plant neurobiology: an integrated view of plant signaling. Trends Plant Sci. 2006 Aug;11(8):413-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2006.06.009. Epub 2006 Jul 13. PMID: 16843034.
Plant Signaling & Behavior, Volume 20, Issue 1 (2025)Taylor & Francis Online: Peer-reviewed Journals

Multispecies Interaction & More-than-Human Design - Giaccardi, Elisa & Redström, Johan. (2020). Technology and More-Than-Human Design. Design Issues. 36. 33-44. 10.1162/desi_a_00612. - Haraway, Donna J. (2016), Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene, Durham: Duke University Press.

Soft Robotics & Biomimetic Systems

Soft Robotics Journal (MIT Press)
Biology and bioinspiration of soft robotics: Actuation, sensing, and system integration, Ren, Luquan et al, iScience, Volume 24, Issue 9, 103075

Biofeedback & Physiological Computing

Kandel E., Schwartz J. H. , Jessell T. M. , Siegelbaum S. A. , Hudspeth A. J. , Principles of Neural Science , Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2013
Buzsáki G., Rhythms of the brain , Oxford University Press, 2006
Nijholt A., Contreras-Vidal J.L., Jeunet C., Väljamäe A., Brain-Computer Interfaces for Non-clinical (Home, Sports, Art, Entertainment, Education, Well-Being) Applications , Frontiers in Computer Science, 2022
Nijholt, A., Brain Art Brain-Computer Interfaces for Artistic Expression, Springer, Cham, 2019

Immersive & Multisensory Interaction Design

Löwgren, J., & Stolterman, E. — Thoughtful Interaction Design, 2007, The MIT Press
Anna Ståhl, Madeline Balaam, Rob Comber, Pedro Sanches, and Kristina Höök. 2022. Making New Worlds – Transformative Becomings with Soma Design. In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 176, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3502018

Lecture on December 9th, 2025, Global Instructors: Oscar Tomico

Student checklist

[ ] Document the concept, sketches, references also to artistic and scientific publications
[ ] Create an Ultra-personalised product service system (UPPSS) for your final project proposal
[ ] Map the potential stakeholders
[ ] Explore personalisation at different levels
[ ] Interview your potential users/target group about your concept, quantify results (extra credit)