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METROPOLIS Introduces Natural Habitat, a Sustainable Homes Video Series

The series debuts with a tour of a tranquil upstate New York retreat designed with Passive House principles.

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BIOPOD: Ecosystem modules designed to remediate water quality and reintroduce vital fringe marshes into urban environments. Courtesy of Jenni Ugarte.

February 26, 2025

RISD Students’ Innovations Are Leading the Fight Against Climate Change

Backed by the Terra Carta Design Lab, groundbreaking student projects are turning sustainable ideas into real-world solutions

By: Akiva Blander

With evidence of climate breakdown in nearly every corner of the globe, the demand for nature-attuned, innovative, and scalable solutions has never been higher. Student competitions like the recently announced Terra Carta Design Lab often uncover such breakthroughs by tapping into the minds of those deeply engaged in climate research—individuals who think outside the box and have firsthand experience with climate impacts. However, student-led projects frequently face challenges in securing funding and aligning with private sector priorities. The Design Lab competition aims to bridge this gap by selecting and funding student innovations with the express goal of bringing them to market.

A biomaterial made from discarded mollusk shells, offering a sustainable and visually striking alternative for use in construction and design. Courtesy of Felicia-Neuhof and Samuel-Aguirre

Bridging Innovation and Industry: The Role of the Terra Carta Design Lab

The competition is an initiative of the London-based Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), founded in 2020 by the now-King of England to embed sustainability and resilience within private sector business practices. Its guiding principles are outlined in the Terra Carta, a five-section, 10-article manifesto that calls for sustainability to be deeply integrated into business models, decisions, and investments—particularly in science, technology, and innovation. The final article emphasizes that investments in STEM will drive “catalytic breakthroughs that will alter our view of what is possible—and profitable—within the framework of a sustainable future.”

This philosophy underpins the Terra Carta Design Lab. Established in 2021 by then-Prince Charles and renowned designer Jony Ive, the competition seeks out high-impact, commercially viable innovations that address climate change and biodiversity loss. While the inaugural competition focused solely on London’s Royal College of Art, the 2023 edition expanded to include winners from three additional institutions: the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India, and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). 

“This milestone fuels BIOPOD’s dedication to develop ecological solutions that bridge technology and traditional wisdom. Together, we are excited to heal our Earth through collaborating with ecosystems for generations to come. We are honored and excited to bring BIOPOD to the world!” Avantika Velho, Manini Banarjee, Skylar Perez, Malvika Agarwal and Joel Yong – the team behind BIOPOD

From Concept to Market: Student Innovations Making an Impact

Far from being mere theoretical exercises, the eight winning projects demonstrate a deep understanding of both ecological systems and market dynamics. Each receives £100,000 to refine and scale their innovation, with the goal of moving from concept to commercial production.

One such project, Pyri, developed by students at the Royal College of Art, is an affordable wildfire detection system designed for remote communities. Even before winning the Design Lab competition, Pyri had already gained industry recognition, securing the UK James Dyson Award and its £5,000 prize.

Another winning project, WildWatch, created by students at India’s National Institute of Design, is a solar-powered system that helps prevent vehicle-wildlife collisions by alerting drivers in areas with high wildlife activity.

Two projects from RISD highlight nature-based solutions with strong scalability potential. BIOPOD, a modular wetland system designed to improve water quality and marine biodiversity, is already set to expand through collaborations in the U.S. and India. “We’re working to scale BIOPOD from a pilot project to a global initiative,” said co-founder Avantika Velho. Meanwhile, SHELLF LIFE, founded by former RISD student Felicia Neuhof, transforms restaurant waste into sustainable building materials and furnishings. Neuhof’s work will be showcased at Milan Design Week later this year. “I’m energized by how SHELLF LIFE can transform our built environment while creating economic opportunities in coastal communities worldwide,” she said. “We’re proving that the future of manufacturing can be both local and global, circular and scalable.”

While some winning projects focus on nature-integrated design and others leverage technology to enhance public safety, all address real-world climate challenges with scalable solutions. As the Terra Carta’s opening Statement of Intent asserts, “no one action, industry, or actor is, in itself, sufficient to the climate and biodiversity crisis.” By providing promising student-led projects with funding, mentorship, and industry connections, the Terra Carta Design Lab aims to accelerate meaningful solutions for a more sustainable future.

“Winning the Terra Carta Design Lab confirmed what I suspected – sometimes the most powerful innovations are the simplest ones. I looked at our empty oyster, mussel, and clam shells differently. Instead of seeing trash, I saw everything we needed – strength, beauty, and a material that’s been perfecting itself for millions of years. Now those shells that protected ocean life are protecting our homes, and our planet gets a little better and more beautiful with every seafood dinner.” Felicia Neuhof, Jason Connell and Aleza Epstein – the team behind Shellf Life

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