Product Design Alumna Beatriz Oria Lombardía Honoured at German Design Graduates 2023

The Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is considered one of the most problematic invasive plant species in Europe. However, unknown to most people, the plant also has useful advantages: it is eaten as a wild vegetable in its region of origin and tea and remedies are made from its roots. Product designer Beatriz Oria Lombardía has devoted herself to the problem and, as part of her final thesis in the Faculty of Art and Design, has created a knowledge transfer project which she has titled »(non-)local lab«. The project invites individuals to participate, understand and reflect on invasive plant species issues.

»I want my experimental lab to encourage people to rethink the relationships we have with non-human others. I want people to reflect on evolving ecosystems and to question our roles within these systems«, says Lombardía, describing her approach. Lombardía has designed, planned and implemented a series of workshops based on experiments and has also developed a modular furniture system that can be used for events held in public spaces. A number of the pieces are made from or have been coloured using the plant itself. The furniture is easily assembled and disassembled, making it easy to transport and flexible to set up and use.

Workshops provide participants with the opportunity to learn about invasive plants and the controversies surrounding them. Hands-on activities, textile dyeing, paper-making and mat weaving act as multi-sensory prompts for engaging in conversation about future resources, environmental responsibility, migration and globalisation.