Documents
Bio-Based Materials: Discussion and Definitions
The technical definitions do not fully describe the qualitative and subjective, sometimes unquantifiable, characteristics we desire from our bio-based materials. In this brief document we present the commonly used technical definitions for “bio-basedˮ and other relevant words, and explain through discussion topics how the technical definitions can fall short of describing the materials we want and need to use in our built environment.
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Bio-Based Materials: Design Primer
Coming soon …
Grow & Tell
Grow & Tell is a casual, community-driven webinar series designed to share the stories, insights, and momentum behind bio-based materials. With a relaxed, fireside chat vibe, it’s a space to connect, inspire, and grow together.
Season One
Hosted by Breanne Belitski and David Arkin, AIA
Episode 1: Living Future 2026 Recap
James Kitchin, Director of the Abundant Futures Design Lab, MASS
Massey Burke, Co-director, California Straw Building Association
Lindsay Baker, CEO, Living Future
Episode 2: Biogenic Carbon Accounting
Massey Burke, Co-director, California Straw Building Association
Ethan Ellingboe, Research Engineer, Life Cycle Lab at University of Washington
Chris Magwood, Manager, Carbon-Free Buildings at RMI
Kate Chilton, Chief of Staff and Chief Sustainability Officer, BamCore
Episode 3: Hemp
Jeni Erbes-Chan, Principal, Wythe Studios
Jacob Waddell, President, Hemp Building Institute
Caroline Dunn, Principal Architect, BIOBUILD
Danny Desjarlais, Hemp Construction Project Manager, Lower Sioux Indian Community
Episode 4: Building Code
Martin Hammer, Architect, Builders Without Borders
David Eisenberg, Director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology
Ben Loescher, Founding Principal, Loescher Meachem Architects
Anthony Dente, Principal, Verdant Structural Engineers
Episode 5: Educational Resources
Linda Sorrento, Chief Operations Officer, Emerita, mindful MATERIALS
Kaja Kühl, Founding Principal, youarethecity
Episode 6: Biochar
Garrett Benisch, Director of Design Development, Bioforcetech Corporation
Emily Majewski, Founder, Cast Carbon
Seth D Kane, Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Davis
Leeds Davis, Biochar Workshop Lead
Episode 7: Seaweed
Annie Dahan, Founder, Seacork Studio
Amy Yang, Founder, SeaFoam
Chloe Doesburg, Founder, SeaFoam
Alyson Myers, President, Fearless Fund
Season Two
Hosted by Veronica Ochoa and Jacob Waddell
Episode 1: Ecological Forestry
Brian Donahue, Author, From the Ground Up Farmer
Jason Grant, World Wildlife Fund
Jennifer Shakun, Bioeconomy Initiative Director, New England Forestry Foundation
Bio-Based Materials Collective 