Synthetic approaches that combine technology, science, and design can help ecosystems by reconstructing ecological niches lost to human activity or habitats expanded due to climate change.

An intensive design and build workshop at OME, NC Upon Tyne, addressed this synthetic design challenge: An INterSpecies Exploration by Biodigital Craft and Manufacturing Technologies. The design criteria for a facade installation were set by local insects. Clay extrusion-based 3D printing was used to create the brick-like elements, while material-oriented digital modeling allowed us to consider architectural boundaries at insect scales. We used living mycelium composites as clay and textile infills, creating a fungal invitation for the insects. For textile, we used hand-knit crocheting and organic yarns. To disentangle the challenges and ecological design questions, we invited 9 practitioners to design and 3d-print an experimental and living material prototype façade for the OME.