Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Hyundai Motor Group are extending their six-year collaboration focused on biodesign and the future of sustainable mobility. The partnership aims to develop innovative materials, processes, and experiences inspired by natural systems and biological principles.
The collaboration involves faculty, students, and designers from Hyundai Motor, Genesis, and Kia working together through the RISD-based Regeneration Studio. Led by the Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab, this initiative explores how natural environments, organisms, and processes can inform human-centered, eco-friendly design solutions.
The partnership emphasizes scientific understanding of natural systems alongside creative inquiry. Students and faculty work closely with Hyundai design engineers to explore biomimicry—the practice of emulating nature’s strategies—to create sustainable products and services.
RISD President Crystal Williams expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership. “Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group highlights our shared commitment to societal innovation,” she said. “Through the Regeneration Studio, we’re advancing materials and design methods that support ecological resilience and human well-being.”
The Studio’s research integrates scientific insights from the natural world with advanced design pedagogies. From September 2025 to May 2026, students will engage in two studio courses focusing on biomimicry and biodesign methodologies.
RISD Provost Touba Ghadessi highlighted the societal impact of the collaboration. “This partnership exemplifies our responsibility to create ecologically-minded biodesign solutions,” she said. “It builds a legacy of nature-based innovation that future designers can expand upon, aiming for a just and sustainable future.”
Karim Habib, Hyundai’s Vice President, noted that nature’s lessons guide the company’s vision. “By observing and drawing inspiration from nature, we envision a future where mobility is regenerative and environmentally responsible,” he said.
Since its inception in 2019, the partnership has fostered a unique research platform, blending scientific inquiry with creative design. Hyundai designers and RISD faculty continuously collaborate to develop new approaches rooted in biological principles, aiming to shape a more sustainable and harmonious future for mobility and beyond.
