Malu Luecking

Malu Lücking is a biodesigner who has spent the past ten years exploring the potential of algae as both material and collaborator in design. Her work investigates algae’s role in shaping regenerative futures, with a focus on biodesign, sustainable material innovation, and marine-centered practices. She has led and contributed to a range of interdisciplinary projects that bring together design, science, and technology to engage critically and creatively with marine ecosystems.

Her project Cladophora delves into the potential of green algae in material development and ecological storytelling, while Landless Food explores speculative futures of food production through algae-based systems, developed in collaboration with biologists, engineers, and fellow designers. She is also the co-founder of Mujo, a Berlin-based startup that developed algae-based materials as alternatives to conventional plastic packaging, aiming to create circular, biodegradable solutions.

Currently, Malu is pursuing a PhD in Design at Politecnico di Milano, where her research focuses on how to teach collaborative design practices within marine environments. Her academic work builds on her practical experience in interdisciplinary marine teams, aiming to embed ecological literacy and more-than-human perspectives into design education.

Through both research and practice, Malu positions algae not just as a sustainable material but as a guiding agent for reimagining relationships between design, ecology, and pedagogy.