Interior Design School of Design
Zhuoer Zhong
I have been studying Interior Design for four years at the Glasgow School of Art; my practice has been deeply rooted in a fascination with natural biomaterials and their potential in shaping the future of design. I employ diverse techniques—including hand drawing, collage, and physical model-making—to investigate and communicate my ideas. My last project envisions a bio-exhibit education space that fosters meaningful engagement between people, biomaterials, and the Clyde community. This sensory-driven center is designed to explore, create, and connect, encouraging ecological awareness, promoting sustainable thinking, and empowering communities through immersive learning and creative participation.
Site
Renfrew Ferry, 25 Anderston Quay, Glasgow G3 8BX
The ferry was built in 1952 as a passenger ferry. With the development of industrialization along the River Clyde, the role of the Renfrew Ferry increased significantly, becoming a vital commuting route for workers and a central transportation system by the 20th century. However, in 2007, the ship was retired and became a permanent static space. The urban environment around Renfrew Ferry has transformed from a traditional industrial area to a modern waterfront community integrating residential, commercial, transportation, and public spaces.
Journey of Senses
This floating, high-tech, fully autonomous biomaterials education centre offers immersive, multi-sensory exhibitions that engage touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste to provide a rich, experiential journey. Visitors and members are invited to explore, experiment, and co-create — from crafting mushroom brick panels in hands-on workshops to attending performances in the underground biomaterials exhibition space.
Designed to explore, create, and connect, the centre aims to raise ecological awareness, inspire sustainable thinking, and empower communities through sensory learning and creative participation. Every six months, the ferry travels between Glasgow and surrounding cities, sharing knowledge, gathering insights, and returning to the Clyde with new materials and ideas. Members can participate in these events at no additional cost.
Concept Collage
At the Biomaterials Education Center, visitors can fully experience the unique charm of biomaterials through multiple senses. As everyone has different sensory sensitivities, this multi-sensory interactive approach enables each visitor to establish a personalized connection with the material and deepen their understanding of bio-material design.
Ground floor
This space facilitates a comprehensive multi-sensory engagement with biomaterials, activating the senses of sight, touch, smell, and hearing to promote a deeper, embodied understanding of material properties and their potential applications.
Tactile Experience Area
Auditory Experience Area
Moss Specimen Area
Assembled mycelium panel wall
Library Area
Biomaterial Workshop
Basement Floor
Visitors can enjoy a biomaterial fashion show, explore a lab where experts study materials, and experience an immersive space that transforms every 30 seconds to showcase over 40 species of fungi, mosses, and related organisms.
Stage
Biomaterials Laboratory
Biomaterial Immersive experience space
