Aging in bacterial cellulose: a comparative study of biological stabilization strategies for upholstered furniture applications

Bacterial Cellulose (BC) offers significant potential in biodesign, yet its sensitivity to water and aging phenomena critically condition its reliability over time. This study investigates the interconnection between hydrophobic stabilization strategies and long-term durability through the comparative analysis of two case studies in the upholstery furniture sector, both of them previously developed using Material Driven Design (MDD) methodology and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach: (1) a surface stabilization treatment of BC with beeswax and (2) a bio-hybrid integration with fungal mycelium. Through phenomenological observation conducted 18 months after production, the paper analyzes how these different technical responses influence the trajectory of aesthetic and mechanical degradation of BC, identifying promising conditions and relevant criteria that hydrophobicity optimization may need to address for effective aging management and future industrial validation. The findings contribute to understanding the relationship between stabilization strategies and long-term material behavior, fostering the transition from designing for ephemerality to a vision based on the permanence and durability of grown biomaterials.