Project
Living Materials from Kombucha¶
My final Fabricademy project explores the transformation of kombucha-derived SCOBY into a living biomaterial that can be used for both biotextiles and skin-contact applications.
By drying SCOBY, I developed a vegan leather alternative that can be used in garments, gloves, and accessories. In parallel, I explored skin-contact applications such as wound dressings, under-eye patches, and herbal compresses.
Different fermentations were carried out using lemon and ginger, calendula and chamomile, and rosemary. These variations allowed me to experiment with both material properties and functional possibilities.
The project combines traditional fermentation knowledge with biomaterial experimentation and sustainable design, positioning SCOBY as a versatile and biodegradable material for future applications.
Who, What, When, Where, and Why:¶
Who: Designers, biomaterial researchers, and individuals interested in sustainable fashion and natural skin-contact solutions.
What: A collection of SCOBY-based biomaterials, including vegan leather and experimental natural wound dressings, herbal compresses, and under-eye patches.
When: Developed during Fabricademy 2026 as a final project, based on ongoing experimentation.
Where: Created within a Fab Lab and fermentation-based experimental environment.
Why: To explore sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic materials and to demonstrate the potential of fermentation as a material design system.
Presentation¶
Gallery¶
Raw Material¶
Ingredients¶
Fermentation / Mixture¶
Biomaterial Formation¶
Application Test¶
Result¶
