Living Labs:

Clean Lab

A biological fabrication workspace

The Clean Lab is a 100 square meter unique airlocked space, dedicated to microbiology, providing a sterile environment for working with sensitive organisms. Beyond biomaterials, (inter)national makers use this space for experimental fermentation projects, water research, and other wet processes requiring strict hygiene. The Clean Lab hosts workshops, research, and residencies and serves as an incubator facility.

Vergroot

Clean Lab - In the  Myco Design Lab   we explore the possibilities of designing with living organisms. We believe that the mycelium, the root system of mushrooms, will eventually replace plastic. Currently we are making insulation from mycelium using the waste from our   brewery . Anisa Xhomaqi

Designing with microbes was central to the monastery's way of living, read more about our Open City Monastery program for 2025-2028 here, demanding meticulous attention and significant time investment. Since 2022, we have been exploring the monastic lifestyle and routine through the eyes of the medieval abbess Hildegard Von Bingen. Inspired by Hildegard's prognostic self-care routine we developed in collaboration with herbology experts Lynn Clemens and Tamara Last, a series of workshops to experience what a medieval abbess can offer the modern day. Over the next two years, we will continue welcoming in this space makers and designers to develop collaborative research.

Vergroot

Clean Lab -

Vergroot

In the Clean Lab -