This Spring Koyne Program is part of Habitare Materials & Objects at Milan Design Week 2025 (April 7–13). As part of the Alcova showcase, this event highlights sustainable design, bringing together leading creatives from around the world.
Our participation aligns with Koyne’s mission to explore more sustainable materials and circular design in artistic and design practices.


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We are thrilled to share that Juan Zamora, a resident of the Koyne Program, has been selected for the Helsinki Biennial 2025! His work, deeply rooted in material experimentation and environmental dialogue, aligns with the Biennial’s vision of art engaging with non-human nature..

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Koyne Program collaborates with the Immersive Sustainable Lab at the Helsinki XR Center.
The  project  explores the reuse of seashell waste from restaurants to create sustainable materials. Integrating seaweed as a binder, it promotes circular economy practices, transforming bio-waste into resources for art and design.



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"Echoes of the Shore," a project by Stefan Maier conducted during his MAXRES residency, delves into sonic material research to investigate the interplay between sound, matter, and environment.

This initiative explores the influence of form on listening and the genesis of sound through the interaction of materials, space, and perception. By repurposing discarded seashells from local Helsinki restaurants and combining them with seaweed-based binders, Maier created a clay-like material for fashioning sculptural sound devices known as listening apparati. These devices are crafted to interact with and reshape both urban and rural soundscapes in Helsinki.

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Participants learned how to create glue and biomaterials using seaweed, agar-agar, and other natural ingredients. The workshop provided a platform for understanding the potential of environmentally friendly materials and their applications in various creative and practical contexts.

Thank you to everyone who participated. Special thanks to @caracaracollective for their expertise and dedication.

Thank you Finnish Cultural Foundation for the support.

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During the residency, Yese Astarloa undertook an exploration of materials such as  bacterial cellulose, examining the distinctive properties of the material. Astarloa developed a nuanced dialogue between living materials and digital technologies, exploring how these seemingly divergent realms intersect and mutually inform each other.

This work highlighted the complex interplay between biological and technological systems, emphasizing their relevance within contemporary artistic practices. 

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Habitare Materials is an experimental materials library designed to inspire creativity and innovation. 

The showcased material samples by Koyne Program were developed by two talented artists participating in the exch 2024 project. These works highlight cutting-edge explorations of materials, ranging from natural dyes to advanced techniques such as 3D molding. 

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As part of Habitare, the Nordic region’s top event for design and interiors, Koyne co-director Saskia Signori joined Pirjo Kääriäinen from Chemarts, Fanni Suvila from Sisustusarkkitehti AOA and Olli Kähkönen from Nordic Bioproducts Group in a panel discussion with the topic of Habitare Materials: Materials of the Future moderated by Maria Klemetti Laine and Jussi Laine from NEMO architects.

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The workshop, conducted in collaboration with Caracara Collective, provided an in-depth examination of techniques for casting and sculpting with pre-grown scoby (bacterial cellulose) materials. Participants were introduced to methods for treating and preserving SCOBY, enhancing its durability and expanding its range of practical applications. 

Caracara Collective is an experimental design studio that creates art and design installations using biowaste, showcasing sustainable approaches to material design.

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During her residency, Marie Schoberleitner immersed herself in an investigation of the diverse seaweed species inhabiting the region surrounding the residence. Her work sought to illuminate the broader implications of these natural materials, questioning their place within both environmental systems and creative processes. 

By situating her work at the intersection of art and environmental study, Schoberleitner underscored the pressing need for sustainable approaches to material use. Her residency offers insights into how art can critically engage with ecological challenges while fostering new possibilities for sustainable creation.

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As part of her residency work in Örö island, Betiana Pavón undertook an investigation into local biomaterials, collaborating closely with local restaurants and a carpentry workshop to source and repurpose bio-waste. Through this collaborative process, she developed a variety of experimental biomaterial samples, each reflecting a deep engagement with sustainability and material transformation. Her approach emphasized the potential of waste as a resource, turning discarded organic matter into meaningful and functional artistic mediums.

The culmination of this work was a biodegradable sculptural installation, thoughtfully conceived as an offering on an altar situated within the forest. 

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MAXRES SELECTED ARTISTS 2024

Yese Astarloa 
Stefan Maier

Two exceptional projects have been chosen for the MAXRES Residency on September/October

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Koyne Program presents Observatorium at the Finnish Cultural Institute in Madrid from 6.10.-10.11.2023. The exhibition is the result of the work of the participating artists at the South - North Circuit during 2022-2023. The circuit is constituted as a tour of latitudes with the intention of integrating the experience of six participating artists in a circuit of five art residencies throughout the geographic south and north.


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Koyne presents the exhibition Observatorium as a result of the work of the participating artists at the South - North Circuit during 2022-2023. The circuit is constituted as a tour of latitudes with the intention of integrating the experience of six participating artists in a circuit of five art residencies throughout the geographic south and north.  


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The workshop explores the various uses and of fungal and bacterial-based materials. In the workshop, participants gain an understanding of the cultivation process of SCOBY and discover its potential for new applications and crafting techniques. The workshop was designed to provide you with hands-on experience in the preparation process, as well as working with pre-grown SCOBY material and lichen pigment.

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Lichen is a combination of fungi and algae living in a symbiosis in one organism. The fungi provides a structure for the algae to live in, while the algae provides food for the fungus. Lichens are found on all sizes and length and range in colors from bright orange, to all types of greens, grays and black.

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