Could microalgae be the next frontier for sustainable design? Tokyo-based studio We+ is betting on it. During Milan Design Week, the experimental design practice unveiled SO-Colored, a research-driven project exploring microalgae as a renewable, low-impact source of natural pigments.
Presented at Galleria Rubin, SO-Colored featured a series of vivid, sharply-lined sculptures finished in hues of green, red, yellow, purple, and blue. These pieces, which resembled glazed ceramic, were crafted by mixing laboratory-grown microalgae powder with dammar resin, creating richly pigmented surfaces that retain color naturally over time.
Microalgae, tiny organisms known for their role in food, biofuels, and environmental science, are largely unexplored as a material for color production. The We+ team discovered that by exposing algae to environmental stresses like heat, humidity, and light, its pigments change dramatically. This natural process offers a promising, renewable alternative to synthetic dyes.
“We believe that microalgae is an exceptionally promising material for humanity,” says Hokuto Ando, co-founder of We+. “Our project highlights its aesthetic potential and its ability to be produced sustainably anywhere in the world.”
Alongside SO-Colored, We+ also debuted Unseen Objects, a collaboration with historic metal casting company Heiwa Gokin. This collection celebrated the unexpected beauty found in the leftovers of the casting process, burrs, residual sands, and geometric imprints, transforming manufacturing remnants into organic, sculptural forms. Which can be seen here.
Both projects reflect We+’s commitment to reimagining materials not just for how they function, but for how they inspire, a merging of science, craft, and future-focused creativity.
