Natsai Audrey Chieza

Museum of Symbiosis. Designed by Faber Futures. The Laboratory of the Future at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia curated by Lesley Lokko, 2023. Image Credit: Ste Murray.

This is Living Campaign for the launch of biodesign lifestyle brand and platform Normal Phenomena of Life, featuring the NPOL Original Exploring Jacket - made with microbial dyed silk. Image Credit: Toby Coulson

UK
Biodesign

Natsai Audrey Chieza is a visionary designer and thought-leader working at the forefront of biophilic design. She is the founder and CEO of Faber Futures and a co-founder of Normal Phenomena of Life (NPOL). Launched in 2018, Faber Futures is a pioneering design agency that melds consumer biotechnology advancements with real-world applications. In 2023, Chieza co-founded NPOL, a consumer brand offering biotech products online. NPOL makes tangible how biotechnology can generate new, beautiful materials that support climate goals and the cultivation of resilient value chains for the bioeconomy.

This is Living Campaign for the launch of biodesign lifestyle brand and platform Normal Phenomena of Life, featuring the NPOL Original Exploring Jacket – made with microbial dyed silk. Image Credit: Toby Coulson

Chieza’s approach involves broad-ranging partnerships across biotech, consumer sectors, and cultural institutions. Notable clients and commissioners include Ginkgo Bioworks, Adidas, World Economic Forum, La Biennale, Design Museum and Cooper Hewitt. As a member of WEF’s Global Futures Council on Synthetic Biology, Chieza advocates integrating design, culture and biotechnology in policy development. Her insights and leadership are sought after on various stages, including as a speaker at SXSW, TED, and Design Indaba. Chieza’s contributions to biophilic design have earned her significant recognition and accolades, including the 2019 INDEX award, known as the Nobel Prize for design.