BIORNAMENT

This project originates from a design concept developed at BioMat Studio, University of Stuttgart by students Anke März, Gregory Taukhanian, and Nora Woborny. The research focused on creating decorative, bio-based panels for interior and exterior cladding applications.

The resulting product, named BIOrnament, is a pigmented green straw–thermoset biocomposite panel composed of freely oriented short straw fibres at approximately 50% mass load (about 200% volume load). The fibres were chopped and blended with pigmented, bio-based epoxy resin, then pressed into flat panels measuring 250 × 250 × 3–5 mm. The panels were subsequently laser-cut into an oriental-inspired pattern, with pigments in grey, black, and red tones, enhanced for UV and weather resistance.

BIOrnament is intended for use in non-structural cladding systems, suitable for both interior and exterior applications. By combining agricultural by-products with durable, bio-based resins, the project demonstrated the potential of aesthetic, sustainable materials to replace conventional decorative panels.

Following the initial academic development, BioMat GmbH has explored further refinement of the concept, including alternative natural fibre sources, expanded colour palettes, and production scaling strategies, positioning BIOrnament as a distinctive, environmentally responsible option for custom façade and interior design projects.