A makerspace for biodesigning at Aalto University
The GrowLab 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.
OUR APPROACH
At the GrowLab, 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
Bio-Makerspace
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
• 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 BSL0 (Biosafety Level 0) organisms, meaning that they are entry-level and food-safe in the GrowLab. 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 GrowLab is constantly changing. For most recent photos check out our Instagram account: @a.little.growlab
Update on our space! Check out our website for the full inventory of equipment ✨
Link in bio ⤴️ (www.studios.aalto.fi/growlab/)
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#biolab #biodesign #biofabrication #growlab #aaltogrowlab #sustainability #sustainabledesign
Update on our space! Check out our website for the full inventory of equipment ✨
Link in bio ⤴️ (www.studios.aalto.fi/growlab/)
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#biolab #biodesign #biofabrication #growlab #aaltogrowlab #sustainability #sustainabledesign
This fleshy material is made of bacteria and yeast, then dyed with beetroot ♥️
Experiments for costume design by @kaisa_jo at the GrowLab!
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#biodesign #biomaterialdesign #biomaterial #costumedesign #sustainability #sustainabledesign #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab
This fleshy material is made of bacteria and yeast, then dyed with beetroot ♥️
Experiments for costume design by @kaisa_jo at the GrowLab!
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#biodesign #biomaterialdesign #biomaterial #costumedesign #sustainability #sustainabledesign #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab
Throwback to our Bio-lantern Workshop last month in collaboration with @cuttlexyz and @aaltofablab 💡
Thank you to those who participated!
Check out the article written by @forresto to learn more about the process. Link in bio ⤴️
We are planning to open up this workshop again this year, so make sure to stay tuned!
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#workshop #sustainability #fablab #biodesign #lantern #diy #biofabrication #scoby #biolab #growlab #biomaterial
Throwback to our Bio-lantern Workshop last month in collaboration with @cuttlexyz and @aaltofablab 💡
Thank you to those who participated!
Check out the article written by @forresto to learn more about the process. Link in bio ⤴️
We are planning to open up this workshop again this year, so make sure to stay tuned!
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#workshop #sustainability #fablab #biodesign #lantern #diy #biofabrication #scoby #biolab #growlab #biomaterial
We have been working with natural dyes, living organisms, and agar to explore new costume design possibilities ✨
What`s next?
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#biomaterialdesign #biodesign #biomaterial #costumedesign #naturalcolour #naturaldyes #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab
We have been working with natural dyes, living organisms, and agar to explore new costume design possibilities ✨
What`s next?
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#biomaterialdesign #biodesign #biomaterial #costumedesign #naturalcolour #naturaldyes #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab
Wild mushroom foraging in Finland 🍄 Very exciting to see what kinds of colours appear from them!
@h_rehorcikova
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#mushroom #localmushroom #mushroomdye #mushroomcolor #naturaldyes #biodesign #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab #finland
Wild mushroom foraging in Finland 🍄 Very exciting to see what kinds of colours appear from them!
@h_rehorcikova
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#mushroom #localmushroom #mushroomdye #mushroomcolor #naturaldyes #biodesign #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab #finland
WORKSHOP ALERT 🚨
Sign-up for the "Make your own bio-lantern workshop", it`s free!
Sign up link in bio ⤴️ Limited spaces left!
When?
Thu 19 September
13.00 – 14.00 Open doors, tour and coffee
14.00 – 16.00 Bio-lantern workshop (sign-up required)
Where?
Aalto Fablab
Otakaari 7, 02150, Espoo
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#workshop #sustainability #biodesign #biofabrication #scoby #biobased #sustainableworkshop #fabrication #fablab #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab
WORKSHOP ALERT 🚨
Sign-up for the "Make your own bio-lantern workshop", it`s free!
Sign up link in bio ⤴️ Limited spaces left!
When?
Thu 19 September
13.00 – 14.00 Open doors, tour and coffee
14.00 – 16.00 Bio-lantern workshop (sign-up required)
Where?
Aalto Fablab
Otakaari 7, 02150, Espoo
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#workshop #sustainability #biodesign #biofabrication #scoby #biobased #sustainableworkshop #fabrication #fablab #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab
Natural ink colour library 🌈 at the GrowLab!
These colours change depending on the time of harvest, time, acidity, and many other factors, which makes experiments rich with possibilities.
A project by @ronjatammenpaa
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#naturalcolour #naturalink #pigment #biodesign #bioart #biofabrication #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab #sustainabledesign #sustainability
Natural ink colour library 🌈 at the GrowLab!
These colours change depending on the time of harvest, time, acidity, and many other factors, which makes experiments rich with possibilities.
A project by @ronjatammenpaa
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#naturalcolour #naturalink #pigment #biodesign #bioart #biofabrication #biolab #growlab #aaltogrowlab #sustainabledesign #sustainability
Join our "Make Your Own Bio-Lantern" workshop, where you`ll create a unique mini-lantern using SCOBY, paper, and digital tools at the Fablab. This hands-on workshop is perfect for anyone interested in sustainable design, DIY crafts, or innovative uses of materials. No prior experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm!
We have limited space for this workshop. Please sign up to participate!
Sign-up link (also in bio): https://forms.gle/NQyy1rm81hSLAaNJ7
WHEN? Thu 19 September 2024
13.00 – 14.00: Open Doors, Tour & coffee (everybody is welcome)
14.00 – 16.00: Make your own bio-lantern workshop (requires sign-up)
WHERE? Aalto Fablab: Otakaari 7, 02150, espoo
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This workshop is part of #aCoolerPlanet #HelsinkiDesignWeek #AaltoUniversity
@aaltofablab @aaltouniversity @aaltostudios @helsinkidesignweek
Join our "Make Your Own Bio-Lantern" workshop, where you`ll create a unique mini-lantern using SCOBY, paper, and digital tools at the Fablab. This hands-on workshop is perfect for anyone interested in sustainable design, DIY crafts, or innovative uses of materials. No prior experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm!
We have limited space for this workshop. Please sign up to participate!
Sign-up link (also in bio): https://forms.gle/NQyy1rm81hSLAaNJ7
WHEN? Thu 19 September 2024
13.00 – 14.00: Open Doors, Tour & coffee (everybody is welcome)
14.00 – 16.00: Make your own bio-lantern workshop (requires sign-up)
WHERE? Aalto Fablab: Otakaari 7, 02150, espoo
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This workshop is part of #aCoolerPlanet #HelsinkiDesignWeek #AaltoUniversity
@aaltofablab @aaltouniversity @aaltostudios @helsinkidesignweek
CONTACT
If you are interested in using the GrowLab 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 GrowLab? Contact
Ena Naito
Doctoral Researcher
ena.naito@aalto.fi
+358 50 464 4304