ABOUT
We are a collaborative ecosystem
Since 2009 we have developed learning experiences in biodesign in collaboration with institutions such as the Universidad Iberoamericana (MEX), Tecnológico de Monterrey (MEX), Universidad de la Salle (MEX), Universidad Veritas (CRC), Universidad de Costa Rica (CRC) and University of the Andes (COL). We wanted to promote the need to understand the difference between learning about nature and learning from nature, using organisms as mentors. Apply the principles of life (biology) in design processes to identify and strengthen experimental research processes and experiences multidisciplinary. Promote convergence and exchange of ideas and knowledge through a network of collaborators that transcend disciplines and in the face of planetary urgencies to develop sustainable and regenerative solutions based on the genius of life.
Study Abroad Veritas University, Costa Rica. Biodesign Workshop with Tecnológico de Monterrey, 2013
Our team
MSc. Mike Smith-Masis
Harvard Loeb Fellow
Main Editor
The architecture of Michael Smith Masis in San José, Costa Rica encourages the participation, collaboration, cooperation and ownership of low-income residents, rural and indigenous communities and informal settlements, the true protagonists of the city. Smith has facilitated projects from housing to public space, guided by the principles of replicability, efficiency, functionality, feasibility, and environmental sustainability. His work has received important awards and distinctions, including the 2017 CICA Award for the practice of young architects and the 2015 International Architecture Award at the Buenos Aires Architecture Biennale. It also won the 2016 Biennial Grand Prize and the 2016 and 2014 Icomadera Awards at the International Architecture Biennial in San José, Costa Rica, and the 2015 Sustainable Construction Award from the Costa Rican Chamber of Construction, among others. Alongside his architectural practice, Smith has taught and lectured around the world to build capacity for transformational processes within the communities he works with. He is a Loeb Fellow of Harvard University, co-founder and president of Klabe, Space Agency (San José-Cambridge) for the development of social impact projects, is co-founder of Maderotec SA, and founder and main editor of the Space Justice Platform (www.justciaespacio.com).
MSc. Minche Ore
Associate Editor
Architect by profession and polymath by nature. Graduated with honors from the Universidad Iberoamericana with a degree in Architecture and from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London with a Master's Degree in Sustainable Environmental Design. In his academic career he has taught undergraduate and master's degrees and given international workshops on sustainable architecture, innovation and entrepreneurship. She has served as Director of Architecture at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus León since 2010 for four and a half years, she also founded the Bio-Design workshop with the Universidad Veritas de Costa Rica. As a businesswoman, co-founder of SHINE Architecture, an architecture studio, SAAi, an international sustainability consultancy, Autor Atelier, a design space, and NUUP, a design, carpentry and architecture workshop. In terms of innovation, he co-founds Latam Labs, city laboratories, and Letsmake, metrics for innovation, all companies being a response to social and sustainable responsibility. His career as a workshop facilitator and lecturer spans Belgium, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras and Mexico. TedX speaker, has been a mentor to more than 90 companies in Latin America. Among the most important recognitions is the nomination for one of the 40 entrepreneurs under 40 years of age in the BajÃo area, nomination by Players of Life for the best national entrepreneurship, remaining among the 3 finalists as one of the best architects in Mexico PODIO.
Architect Edgar Perez
Deputy Editor
The professional and academic work of Edgar Pérez unfolds in a transdisciplinary practice that seeks to bring design closer to the study and understanding of nature and the social sphere; particularly in some fields within science and technology, the politics of technical artifacts, socio-urban studies, digital technologies and biomimicry. His undergraduate thesis focused on the transformation of the notion of architectural surface with the rise of digital technologies and other research topics have dealt with socio-technical processes such as the one that the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly building underwent. He has participated in various international design competitions, in which he has won two honorable mentions. He is currently co-teacher of the course "Biomimicry, collaborations between disciplines" at the School of Biology, as well as guest teacher in the course "Biology and its plasticity". He works in the private sector as a designer in the firm 180 N and in DYMSA consultants. Member of Biomimicry Costa Rica Global Network.
March. Roland Madrigal
Deputy Editor
He is the founder of Untitled Architects, a design-build practice that focuses on materials research and advanced manufacturing. The design process is seen as an iterative oscillation between visual representation and material realities where physical prototyping functions as a fundamental design driver working in a constant and cohesive feedback loop with digital design intentions. His work has been shortlisted for the 2017 Wood Awards and received the 2018 TRADA Timber Innovation Award. Rolando Madrigal is a graduate of the Veritas University School of Architecture and has a Master's degree from the Design and Make MArch program of the Architectural Association.
Ph.D. Rebecca Mora
Collaborating Specialist
Biologist and member of the Global Biomimicry Network since 2015, founder of Biomimicry (Biomimicry) Costa Rica and only graduate (Biomicry 3.8 Program) specialist in Biomimicry in Costa Rica. He works as a teacher and manages interdisciplinary courses at the School of Architecture and the School of Biology of the University of Costa Rica and at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design. For 19 years she has been conducting scientific research in the areas of biophysics, entomology, biomimetics and biodesign at the Materials Science and Engineering Research Center (CICIMA) as a researcher at the Biomaterials and Biomimicry Laboratory and at the Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CIBCM) as coordinator of the Biological Structures Group. His scientific work is based on the analysis at nanometric and micrometric scales of organic materials (physical and optical phenomena, color science), mainly insects. Likewise, the analysis of said biological structures also encompasses an important component of the analysis of the principles of mechanics, form and function of the biological adaptations studied. His research is characterized by being multi and interdisciplinary, integrating mainly two large areas: physics and biology through the study of small-scale biological models, however, his projects frame collaborations with professionals in the areas of communication sciences, art, design, architecture, engineering, statistics, mathematics and computer science, with various international publications on the subject. She was chosen as a TEDX speaker in Costa Rica.
Bio.Mariano Barrantes
Collaborating Specialist
He is a professor and researcher at the Center for International Programs and Sustainability Studies at Veritas University. His Bachelor thesis focused on the conservation of jaguar (Panthera onca) populations and their prey in northern Costa Rica. As a professional, he has experience in mammal conservation, field biology, environmental education, bee pathology, and as a consultant in the Costa Rican fisheries sector. He has also collaborated with different NGOs whose purpose is the conservation of felines and their habitats. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Environmental Project Management and other lines of research in Costa Rica Felides.
PHD. Thomas de Camino
Collaborating Specialist
He is co-founder of the Costa Rica Foundation for Innovation. He was director and founder of the research center for innovation, Universidad Veritas. He has worked as a professor at the University of Costa Rica, Technological Institute of Costa Rica and Veritas University. He is an associate researcher at the Center for Research in Pure and Applied Mathematics at UCR and has published more than 20 articles in Prestige journals and has written several book chapters. In 2008, he won the Lee Siegel Award from Springer for having published the best original article in the area of mathematical biology in the period 2006-2008. He has participated as a jury in innovation and entrepreneurship events in Costa Rica and Mexico.
Academic Partners
