In this episode, Dr. Sofie Boons speaks with Simone Van Den Broek, a lecturer and researcher whose pioneering work explores the potential of mycelium, a living organism more commonly associated with fungi, as a material for jewellery. Through her project Living Gold, Simone challenges conventional notions of luxury and permanence, inviting us to imagine a future where materials are grown.
Together, they discuss Simone’s interdisciplinary background, her role within the Situated Art, Design and Technology research group at Avans University of Applied Sciences, and the mindset shift required to collaborate with living materials. From the benefits of bio-based design to the importance of storytelling in sustainable practice, this conversation offers a compelling glimpse into jewellery’s regenerative potential.
Tune in to discover how Simone’s research redefines beauty through ecological harmony, and why growing our own materials might be the next radical step in sustainable adornment.
Design researcher Simone van den Broek is part of the Situated Design group at research center Caradt. She specialises in projects that evoke thought and action. Her projects contribute to health, well-being, sustainability and enable the user acceptance of emerging technologies. This all to provide people with the skills and tools to improve the quality of their daily lives. She exhibited her work Living Gold – a jewellery collection incorporating mycelium – at the Dutch Design Week, and she teaches students about the diverse and inspiring field of design research.
Learn more about our host Dr. Sofie Boons here, and find Simone on Instagram and Linkedin.
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