Shellf Life Bowls and Tiles by Aleza Epstein and Felicia Neuhof.
A micro-plastic alternative crafted from mollusk shells, a smart system for protecting animals at road crossings, and a cost-effective wildfire detection tool—these inventive concepts reflect a selection of standout designs from this year’s Terra Carta Design Lab, a global competition that challenges art and design students to devise impactful responses to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Launched in 2021 by His Majesty King Charles III and Sir Jony Ive in partnership with the Royal College of Art, the Terra Carta Design Lab operates as part of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, which seeks to drive environmental progress through private-sector innovation. “We are delighted with the momentum and impact of the Terra Carta Design Lab,” says Sir Jony Ive, a renowned designer, Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, and founder of LoveFrom. “The teams created innovative and practical solutions, describing their thinking and design proposals with compelling clarity.”
This 2024 winners, selected from a shortlist of 40 finalists, present diverse solutions to global challenges, including air pollution, wildfires, and circular fashion. Entrants represented four international design schools: the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation in the United Arab Emirates, the National Institute of Design in India, the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States, and the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom.
Shellf Life bowls and tiles.
Among the winning projects were groundbreaking designs like BIOPOD and Shellf Life, both developed by students at the Rhode Island School of Design. BIOPOD proposes modular ecosystems that restore water quality while reintroducing marshlands to urban areas. Shellf Life transforms discarded shells—oyster, mussel, and clam—into a biomaterial for construction, celebrating the resilience of materials refined by nature over millions of years. Other winning projects include aerodynamic innovations to enhance container ship efficiency, a circular denim brand addressing fashion waste, and a power-harnessing system that converts energy generated while cycling into usable electricity. Each winning team will receive funding and mentorship to advance their designs, paving the way for scalable solutions.
The Terra Carta Design Lab embraces an optimistic, multi-disciplinary, and multi-generational ethos. With traditional approaches often falling short in addressing the dual threats of climate and biodiversity loss, fostering innovation among emerging talents has become more critical than ever.
Felicia Neuhof took the helm as Shellf Life founder along with team members Jason Connell and Aleza Epstein.
Shellf Light.
Shellf Life Chair by Felicia Neuhof in collaboration with Samuel Aguirra.
BIOPOD proposes modular ecosystems that restore water quality while reintroducing marshlands to urban areas. Project co-founders are Manini Banerjee and Avantika Velho along with team members Malvika Agarwal, Skylar Perez, and Joel Yong. Photography by Jenni Ugarte.
BIOPOD. Photography by Varun Mehta.