3D Printing with Bio Materials

As the world shifts away from plastic-based production, new approaches to design and fabrication are emerging—ones that put sustainability at the core. One such innovation is 3D printing with biomaterials: biodegradable materials derived from food and agricultural waste. These materials offer a compostable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics. This technology opens up new creative possibilities at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and design—giving makers a chance to create in a regenerative, waste-free, and responsible way.

Group course - Beginners & Intermediate

This course takes you through the complete process of 3D printing with biomaterials. You’ll learn how to prepare sustainable print pastes made from natural waste streams such as oyster shells, coffee grounds, and olive pits. Then you’ll dive into the basics of Grasshopper for Rhino, a powerful tool for parametric design and toolpath generation.

Step by step, you’ll build your own script, create custom shapes, and bring them to life using a paste-based 3D printer. The course is hands-on and highly experimental—expect surprising results, creative breakthroughs, and an exciting exploration of a fast-evolving technique.

What makes this workshop unique is that it’s taught by a researcher actively developing both the materials and the printers. You'll have direct access to cutting-edge knowledge, expert guidance, and insights from the frontlines of sustainable fabrication.

You will learn to:

• Prepare and mix biomaterials for 3D printing
• Use Grasshopper in Rhino to create parametric designs
• Operate a paste-based 3D printer
• Design and print your own fully sustainable 3D object

No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

Teacher

Nedji Yusufova

Nedji Yusufova

Nedji Yusufova studied Advanced Architecture, which sparked her passion for digital fabrication and 3D printing. For the past four years, she has been developing her own 3D printing technology and bio-based materials. She holds a BSc from Cardiff University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. She gained hands-on experience at MAKLab Glasgow, Fablab Glasgow, Innovator Varna, and Makerspace Delft, working extensively with digital fabrication tools. During this time, she also organised and led numerous workshops and courses, often in collaboration with organisations such as Science Centre Delft.

Nedji’s teaching style is hands-on and highly experimental. She uses technology and robotics as tools for creative expression, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and playful learning throughout the process.

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