Rasa Weber
Rasa Weber is a designer with a focus on bio-based materials and interdisciplinary research. She is a researcher at Zürich University of the Arts in the Interaction Design department.
In her thesis »Symbiocean« (supervised by Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinović, ZHdK and Prof. Dr. Karin Harrasser, University of the Arts Linz) she researches on the process of underwater mineral accretion and its sympoïetic potential for the ecological formation of marine habitats. At the intersection of marine biology, anthropology and design, she explores the notion of Interspecies Architecture with her practice-based and theoretical research on sympoïetic design processes with human, animal and microbial actors in the ocean.
As part of the project Material Form Function, she brings ecological material development from the closed system of the laboratory to the open system of the ocean via interdisciplinary field methods (collaboration with Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior). By researching applications and production processes of post-extractive material production, from strategies of mining to future methods of growing materials, her work challenges the concept of active matter on an ecological and architectural level.
Articles
Weber, R. 2023. »Die Neue Sensibilität. Entwerfen in und mit anthropozentrischen Umwelten. [The New Sensitivity. Designing in and with environments of the Anthropocene].« NDION Magazine - Rat für Formgebung, 17 Januar 2023
https://ndion.de/de/die-neue-sensibilitaet-entwerfen-in-und-mit-anthropozentrischen-umwelten/
Conference Proceedings
Weber, R., Wegner, A. 2023. »Getting Attuned to the Ocean. Underwater Methods Between Marine Biology and Design Research.« Presented at the Swiss Design Network Conference Counterparts: Exploring Design beyond the Human, 27-28 October 2022. Forthcoming.
Weber, R. 2022. »Smybio-Design. Towards Materials Research in the Ocean.« Presented at the Annual Conference of the German Society for Design Theory and Research (DGTF): Design X Sustainability, Muthesius Kunsthochschule, Kiel, 1-3 June 2022. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Designforschung, 54-56.
https://doi.org/10.25368/2022.136
Talks & Presentations
Weber, R. Algae Futures. Keynote at the Re-imagining fashion with speculative design and algae futures, Speculative Futures. Berlin. Virtual. 16 March 2022.
Weber, R. Designing (in/with) the Ocean. Talk at the Sustainability Science Dialogues. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 10 March 2022.
https://interactiondesign.zhdk.ch/news/rasa-weber-designing-in-with-the-ocean-sustainability-science-dialogue-thu-10.03.2022/
Weber, R. Symbio Design - Toward sympoietic materials research in the ocean. Talk at the Design X Nachhaltigkeit - DGTF Jahrestagung, Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design, Kiel. 2 June 2022.
Brandstetter, G., Clifford, B., Geipel, K., Weber, R., Zampini, D. CARBS - Concrete Kinetics. Panel Presentation at the Aedes Architecture Forum, Berlin. Hybrid. 26 February 2021.
https://www.aedes-arc.de/cms/aedes/de/programm?id=19726143
Rosen, A., Weber, R. Mining our Urban Futures. Urban Mining. Trier University of Applied Sciences. Virtual. 6 May 2021.
https://www.hochschule-trier.de/hochschule/aktuelles/terminkalender/termin-detail/vortragsreihe-in-the-nature-of-materials-urban-mining
Weber, R. Growing Matter. Talk at the Material Negotiations: Practices of Biodesign, Collaborations, Making With & Transience. Berlin. Virtual. 8 October 2021.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/6395/material-negotiations-practices-of-biodesign
Weber R. The Art of Urban Mining I + II. Change by Design. Manuel León Ponce USA. Virtual. 11 November 2021.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. Transformative Matter - Materials Research for our Sustainable Future? Talk at the Design TO Opening Lecture. Harbourfront Center Toronto, Canada. 24 January 2020.
https://designto.org/blog/they-feed-off-buildings/
Teaching & Courses
Franinovic, K., Kirschner, R., Franzke, L., Weber, R., Zybinska, P. Master Think Tank - Design Fieldwork on the Future of Water. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 17 May 2022 - 21 May 2022.
Franinovic, K., Kischner, R., Franzke, L., Weber, R., Zybinska, P. Narrative Design Strategies (AV & sketching for storytelling) - MA Interaction Design. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 18 April 2022 - 30 April 2022.
Weber, R., Ziegler, V. Digital Fabrication - BA Interaction Design. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 1 January 2022 - 31 January 2022.
Weber, R. Sustainable Design: Water Futures Pavilion - BA Architecture & Interior Design. Berlin International University. 14 March 2022 - 20 June 2022.
Weber, R., Ziegler, V. Object Experience: Artistic and Experimental Basics - BA Interaction Design. Block Seminar, Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 1 September 2021 - 31 October 2021.
Cannarozzi, S., Weber, R. Film as a narrative tool for Designers and Architects - MA Integrated Design. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. 1 September 2020 - 31 January 2021.
Pfeiffer, S., Palz, N., Schmidts, C., Weber, R. Transformative Matter: new materials for regenerative modes of building - MA Digital and Experimental Design. Berlin University of the Arts. 1 October 2020 - 28 November 2020.
Pfeiffer, S., Palz, N., Schmidts, C., Weber, R. Growing Architecture: Microalgae as new biomaterial for urban landscapes - MA Digital and Experimental Design. Berlin University of the Arts. 1 October 2019 - 1 January 2020.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. Sustainable Pigments. KEA - Copenhagen School of Design and Technology, Denmark. 2 June 2017 - 1 July 2017.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. Narrative Design Strategies: Talking Bodies - BA Fashion Design / Textile Design / Product Design. University of Leeds - School of Design, England. 1 October 2016 - 30 October 2016.
(Co)Supervisions of Qualification Theses
Fischer, J.-F., Weber. R. 2022. First supervisor BA Thesis in Interior Design. Berlin International University.
Franinovic, K., Bitton, J., Kirschner, R-, Speziali, S., Weber, R. 2022. Second supervisor MA thesis in Interaction Design & Studio 4. Master thesis, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste.
Grosse, K. W., Weber, R. 2017. Kitchen of the Anthropocene - MA Integrated Design. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
Prizes & Competition Awards
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2020. Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis (Nomination). Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2019. AD Design Award - Best Concept (Nomination). Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« AD Magazin.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2019. German Design Award - Newcomer (Nomination). Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« Rat für Formgebung.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2018. Bundespreis Ecodesign. Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« Deutsches Bundesumweltministerium / Umweltbundesamt.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2018. Green Product Award (Finalist). Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« Green Product Award.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2016. German Design Award - Newcomer (Nomination). Design Award. »Algaemy.« Rat für Formgebung.
Glomb, E., Weber, R. 2015. German Design Award - Best Communication (Nomination). Design Award. »Algaemy.« Rat für Formgebung.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2015. Make Me! Award. Design Award. »Algaemy.« Łódź Design Festival.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2014. Bundespreis Ecodesign. Design Award. »Algaemy.« Deutsches Bundesumweltministerium / Umweltbundesamt.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2014. Core 77 (Honorable Mention). Design Award. »Algaemy.« Core 77.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2014. DMY Newcomer (Nomination). International Design Festival Berlin.
External Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships & Residencies
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2019. Kultur- und Kreativpiloten. Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2017. Creative Prototyping Stipendium. Project funding.
Weber, R. 2010. Begabtenförderwerk Villigst e.V. BMBF, Scholarship.