From Control to Co-Evolution: Rethinking Participation in Bio-Inclusive Design

This paper explores the intersection of Participatory Design (PD) and Living Materials (LMs), proposing a shift from human-centered to bio-inclusive design practices. Through a critical analysis of existing literature and a case study involving Bacterial Cellulose (BC), the study examines how LMs can be recognized as active stakeholders in the design process. The research highlights the ethical, epistemological, and operational challenges of co-creating with living matter, emphasizing the need for adaptive, relational, and situated design methodologies. By redefining participation to include non-human agency, the paper advocates for a post-anthropocentric approach that fosters sustainability through multispecies collaboration. The findings suggest that such practices not only transform design outcomes but also reshape the designer's role from controller to facilitator of ecological dialogues.