Aalto Studios at Aalto University

Image of DIY bio-makerspace with shelves and bio-experiments

bioMakerStudio

A space for biodesigning at Aalto University

The bioMakerStudio is a DIY fabrication space, which acts as an incubator for exploring and engaging creatively with the process of biological growing, making, and designing.

We welcome creatives (researchers, students, makers, community) from any discipline who are working with (or would like to try) bio-themed projects.

Our intention is also to be as low-threshold, accessible, flexible and open as possible. We we encourage users to be explorative, scavenge stuff, make their own tools, and try more exploratory encounters that might be otherwise hard to do in a closed lab environment.

Our space develops according to demand, and grows together with the projects and our community.

NEWS

bioMakerStudio Workshop Series
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the Sustainability Action Booster Grant… [read more]

Where to find us

Otakaari 7, 02150 Espoo, Finland

OUR APPROACH

At the bioMakerStudio, we run on a makerspace philosophy, which includes:

Learning-by-making

You learn through hands-on experiments, and by actively making and growing something. DIY (Do-it-yourself) and DIWO (Do-it-with-others) with communities.

Finding creative workarounds

This is not a scientific lab – meaning that for certain processes, you will have to find creative workarounds. Can you find replacements for tools in everyday objects, for example?

Combine fabrication techniques and fields

How can you combine different fabrication and making techniques? Biofabrication, digital fabrication, crafts, textiles… How can you combine knowledge from different disciplines?

Sharing and lowering barriers to knowledge

With the open-access mindset, you’ll share your processes and results with others, and also learn from others. How can you share your knowledge in ways that can be accessed by more people?

SPACES & EQUIPMENT

bioMakerStudio

Our current inventory includes:
• Workbenches
• DIY incubators
• DIY bioreactor (for spirulina)
• Transparent growtent
• Darkroom growtent
• Microscope
• Fridge + freezer
• Kettle
• Shelves
• UV light
• Heating pads
• Heating plates
• Humidity gauge
• Dehydrator
• Drying fan
• Scales
• Kitchen utensils (stick blender, containers, pots, etc.)
• Lab consumables (petri dishes, test tubes, cotton cloths, pH paper, etc.)
• Kitchen consumables (baking sheets, aluminium foils, paper plates, etc.)
• Ingredients for growth mediums
• Large TV screen with HDMI
• Storage space
• First aid kit

Garden

8m2 community garden plot, currently growing:
• Woad (Isatis tinctoria)
• Japanese Indigo (Persicaria tinctoria)
• Dyer’s chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria)
• Dyer’s greenweed (Genista tinctoria)
• Weld (Ruseda luteola)
• Dyer’s coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)

We also have access to these facilities in the same building:

Dyeing Studio

A splash-proof kitchen-like space for wetwork with:
> Sinks
> Hobs
> Drying cabinet
> Kitchen utensils
For more, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/product/dyeing-and-surface-manipulation/

FabLab

Digital fabrication laboratory for digital fabrication, with:
> Laser cutter
> CNC machine
> 3D printers
> Electronic workstations
> Programming software
For more info, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/fablab/

WHAT CAN I WORK WITH?

We allow work with entry-level and food-safe organisms and materials in the bioMakerStudio. Currently, we are working with bacterial cellulose (SCOBY), cyanobacteria (spirulina), slime mould (physarum), mycelium (oyster and reishi), and plants (wild and grown).

Working with organisms that are highly perceptible to contamination would be very challenging in our space, as we cannot create completely aseptic conditions.

The bioMakerStudio is constantly changing. For most recent photos check out our Instagram account: @biomakerstudio

bioMakerStudio

biomakerstudio

83 321

Aalto University 🇫🇮
An incubator for biodesign, space for creative experiments, sharing knowledge, #sustainability @aaltouniversity

We are starting 2025 🎆 by checking up on our Panellus Stipticus culture, which was growing in our incubator during the winter break ✨

Look at the intricate patterns growing on the agar plates!

We were able to get new equipment to support our community work, thanks to @sustainability_action_booster, which we will be installing at the bioMakerStudio in the coming weeks, so stay tuned 😊

We hope to continue providing space and support for more biodesigners this year 🙌

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#biodesign #mycelium #panellus #biolab #biomakerstudio #agarplate #petridish #experiment #sustainability

32 1
Open
We are starting 2025 🎆 by checking up on our Panellus Stipticus culture, which was growing in our incubator during the winter break ✨ Look at the intricate patterns growing on the agar plates! We were able to get new equipment to support our community work, thanks to @sustainability_action_booster, which we will be installing at the bioMakerStudio in the coming weeks, so stay tuned 😊 We hope to continue providing space and support for more biodesigners this year 🙌 . . . . . . . . #biodesign #mycelium #panellus #biolab #biomakerstudio #agarplate #petridish #experiment #sustainability

We are starting 2025 🎆 by checking up on our Panellus Stipticus culture, which was growing in our incubator during the winter break ✨

Look at the intricate patterns growing on the agar plates!

We were able to get new equipment to support our community work, thanks to @sustainability_action_booster, which we will be installing at the bioMakerStudio in the coming weeks, so stay tuned 😊

We hope to continue providing space and support for more biodesigners this year 🙌

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#biodesign #mycelium #panellus #biolab #biomakerstudio #agarplate #petridish #experiment #sustainability …

32 1

Throughout history, mushrooms have perplexed humans, seeming to suddenly appear overnight out of nowhere 🌠

Here is a timelapse of Lion`s Mane growing at the bioMakerStudio, beautifully captured by @henritimperi 🍄

Enjoy how the they are unfurling and expanding before our eyes 〜

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#timelapse #biodesign #mycelium #mushroom #lionsmane #biofabrication #fungi #biolab #biomakerstudio #growingmushrooms

51 2
Open
Throughout history, mushrooms have perplexed humans, seeming to suddenly appear overnight out of nowhere 🌠 Here is a timelapse of Lion's Mane growing at the bioMakerStudio, beautifully captured by @henritimperi 🍄 Enjoy how the they are unfurling and expanding before our eyes 〜 . . . . . . . . #timelapse #biodesign #mycelium #mushroom #lionsmane #biofabrication #fungi #biolab #biomakerstudio #growingmushrooms

Throughout history, mushrooms have perplexed humans, seeming to suddenly appear overnight out of nowhere 🌠

Here is a timelapse of Lion`s Mane growing at the bioMakerStudio, beautifully captured by @henritimperi 🍄

Enjoy how the they are unfurling and expanding before our eyes 〜

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#timelapse #biodesign #mycelium #mushroom #lionsmane #biofabrication #fungi #biolab #biomakerstudio #growingmushrooms …

51 2

CONTACT

If you are interested in using the bioMakerStudio or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We are always looking to expand our inventory of equipment and materials through recycled or second-hand goods. If you have any lab / makerspace equipment that you would like to donate, please let us know!


Interested in the bioMakerStudio? Contact
  • Ena Naito
    Ena Naito

    Doctoral Researcher

    ena.naito@aalto.fi

    +358 50 464 4304

Co-funded by

Logo of Cocoon