Nature as inspiration

How does nature adapt to changing conditions? This question was the starting point for SOAK Biomimicry 2025, an international summer academy organized by the Alliance for Sustainable Universities. Students from all over Europe spent a week at the FHV this summer to work on ideas for the 2026 Climate Biennale. Their great inspiration: the nature of Vorarlberg. Because despite the most adverse circumstances, ecosystems always find new ways to grow and survive. Reason enough to take a closer look at nature as a model for innovation. With the aim of understanding the intelligence of nature, the students researched which principles can be transferred to a wide variety of areas in order to develop sustainable solutions.

From theory to experience

The programme was just as diverse as Vorarlberg's nature. To kick off the week, Margarita Köhl, Head of the Department of Design, gave a talk entitled "More-Than-Human Design", focusing on design perspectives that focus not only on people, but above all on the planet. With this mindset, it was time to head outside, because the brief was clear: how can we learn from nature? Lukas Rinnhofer, external lecturer at the FHV, nature guide and expert on local ecosystems, accompanied the excursions to Fohramoos, Bödele and inatura. In addition to excursions, field research and theoretical knowledge, there was plenty of room for creative design, exchange and shared experiences.<

Innovation through collaboration

In the spirit of biomimicry, the summer academy brought together students from different disciplines: Natural scientists, Engineering and Technology students and Design students worked together to understand natural processes and gain insights that serve as inspiration for innovative solutions. "Our aim was for the students to experience the biomimicry process for themselves in order to understand it and be able to apply it independently later on. The primary aim was therefore not to develop a finished product, but to make the process tangible. The fact that this resulted in wonderful exhibits that we would like to submit for the 2026 Climate Biennale is a nice side effect," explains Marilena Tumler, lecturer in the Department of Design at the FHV, who provided didactic support for the course.

Another important learning for the students was the influence that interdisciplinary collaboration has on innovation. The biomimicry process also shows this: Future, complex challenges can only be solved jointly from different disciplines in an interdisciplinary way. The participants were also able to experience what it feels like to be part of such a team - and how these teams can best be supported and guided.

For the students on the master's degree programme in Design and Creative Leadership who took part in the summer academy, interdisciplinary work is already part of everyday practice. Each year group is deliberately diverse. In this way, the students learn in their students learn to work together on a wide variety of projects - on the one hand by each contributing their own skills, and on the other by learning from each other. 

Interdisciplinary and diverse

The week was characterized by an intensive exchange between different disciplines. The well-rehearsed SOAK team - consisting of biomimicry expert Regina Rowland, Daniel Bayer, who works as a mediator in the fields of biodiversity and climate, designer and lecturer at Angewandte Elisabeth Kopf and Maria Haberny - took the participants on an intensive learning journey between theory, field research and design. On the FHV side, they were supported by Margarita Köhl and Marilena Tumler, Department of Design, Magdalena Burtscher-Rauter, Department of Engineering and Technology, and Frauke Bieck, who supported the group in working together and growing together with perfect organization and home-cooked food. The programme was complemented by discussions with regional stakeholders and start-ups, who contributed fresh perspectives from the field.

Biomimicry refers to learning from nature in order to develop sustainable innovations. This involves researching strategies, structures and processes that have proven themselves over billions of years of evolution and transferring them to Engineering and Technology, design, architecture or social systems. The aim is to create solutions that are not only efficient but also ecologically compatible - following nature's example.

About the Sustainable University Alliance

Global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity require joint action and a change in values. Universities have a particular responsibility in this regard. The Alliance for Sustainable Universities (COOP Sustainable Universities of Applied Sciences) is committed to implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in teaching, research, university management and cooperation. It also raises awareness of sustainability among students, lecturers, staff and other partners. The FHV is a founding member of this initiative.