Ludwig Braaten

Furniture and Spatial Design

Bio

I am a designer from Fredrikstad with a Bachelor’s degree in Furniture Design from the University of Bergen. My work is deeply influenced by a strong connection to nature, and natural materials play a central role in my design process. ­Focusing on alternative production methods, I explore ­mycelium as a tool to create stronger connections between nature, humans, and objects—highlighting untapped materialities and new ­associations.

PROJECT
 

ObjectMatter(s)

 

In my master’s project, ObjectMatter(s), I have explored how mycelium—the root system of fungi—can function as a sensory and accepted material in design.

In a time when consumer culture often relies on resource depletion, the project questions how we can value alternative materials in a more holistic way. As biodegradable materials like mycelium are still largely unrecognized, both in the design field and by the gener­al public, I sought to investigate how design can con­tribute to giving these materials a more legitimate posi­tion. With its ability to grow in organic waste materials, mycelium has served as a starting point for a process
in which the material’s inherent qualities have shaped both method and expression. Through material­orient­ ed experiments and an artistic approach to form and process, I have developed objects that highlight the unique textures and unpredictability of the material. By exploring this, the project seeks to challenge traditional and established practices and open new relationships between humans, nature, and objects.