UCL startup wins Bronze Medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024

The UCL supported startup has created an innovative system that provides safe nesting habitats for solitary bees, with the aim of boosting biodiversity across the capital.

Apia is a modular wall system that can transform any exterior wall into a pollinator paradise. The solution integrates computational design, material research, and digital fabrication to create a cohesive habitat system tailored for solitary bees.

These panels are made from mycelium (mushroom root structure) found in natural bee habitats such as ground and tree barks. Mycelium is an extremely versatile material currently being used for packaging and various architectural applications.

The panels are also water repellent, long lasting and extremely easy to maintain. And once it reaches the end of its lifecycle, the entire Apia system is 100% biodegradable.  

Visitors to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show saw a full-scale installation of the Apia wall. The exhibition aimed to create awareness of critical species decline in urban environments and how can architecturally integrated solutions can create a new approach towards an interspecies built environment.

Inspired by research into declining bee populations

The exhibit focuses on rewilding cities by integrating biodiverse habitats directly into building facades. Critical bee species decline is directly linked to the lack of habitat opportunities in cities. Facades constructed with steel, glass and concrete prohibit nature to co-exist within our built environment.

As founder of Phyta Biodesign Zain Ansari explains, architecturally integrated solutions like Apia can open doors to new conversations to re-think the role of facades in cities. 

Zain says: “While isolated solutions like bee hotels have been implemented to promote pollinator habitats, these efforts lack the scale and impact needed to truly address the issue. Apia offers an integrated architectural approach that has the potential to create extensive pollinator infrastructure within dense urban environments like London.

“By seamlessly incorporating pollinator-friendly elements into the built environment, Apia provides a holistic and far-reaching solution to support these crucial species at a city-wide scale.”

Recognised for their Garden Wall System ‘Apia’

Phyta Biodesign was awarded bronze at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The business was also a finalist at last year’s London Mayor’s Entrepreneurs’ Competition and won the audience choice award at the UCL School of Management Sustain Tech Competition 2023. 

Zain says: “Exhibiting at the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show was an exceptional experience. Receiving the bronze medal and recognition has strengthened my commitment to 'rewilding architecture'.

“This accomplishment wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable support and mentorship from UCL Innovation & Enterprise, who provided some funding to construct the installation and have guided the business since its inception.”

Supported to grow at UCL

Phyta Biodesign was founded by UCL graduate Zain Ansari (Bio-Integrated Design MArch 2022).

The business is currently being supported as part of the Hatchery incubator programme at BaseKX, UCL’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub in King’s Cross, managed by UCL Innovation & Enterprise. Here Zain has access to tailored advice and mentoring as well as fully funded office space to help kickstart and grow his business.

Now the flower show is over, the Apia wall will be relocated to BaseKX, where students and other visitors will be able to experience it for themselves. 

Tackling climate change with ideas from biology and architecture

As well as the modular wall system, Phyta Biodesign develops other sustainable solutions for the building industry to help tackle species decline due to climate change. Integrating biotechnology and architecture, this includes everything from microbiomes to endangered vertebrates and invertebrates. 

Kathryn Walsh, Executive Director at UCL Innovation & Enterprise, says: “It’s hugely exciting to see a UCL-developed startup being recognised at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, which always attracts a lot of interest from both industry and the public. As well as shining a light on exciting new solutions to help tackle biodiversity, winning an award like this underlines the incredible things that are underway right now within our entrepreneurial community. Huge congratulations to Zain, and all the teams supporting him.”

Over the last 10 years, more than 540 new student startups have been started at UCL. Collectively they’ve raised over £400 million in investment and currently employ over 2,000 people [HEBCI 2013 to 2023].

Links

Find out more about:

• Phyta Biodesign
• Bio-ID Student and Graduates Shortlisted in London Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show Discovery Zone
• Support with starting and growing a business for UCL students and graduates
• The Hatchery startup incubator

Acknowledgements 

Phyta Biodesign would like to acknowledge the following people: 

Product Design / R&D: Phyta Biodesign
Zain Ansari (Founder / Creative Director) 

Exhibition Design and Set-up: Phyta Biodesign 
Zain Ansari, Enricro Pontello, Andreas Feller-Ryf, Anum Khattak, Rameshwari Jonnalagedda 

Prototyping: Institute of Making, UCL
Lucy Flanders, Joseph Gabriel, Ellie Doney and team 

Apia Panel Production: MMC Magical Mushroom Company 
Paul Gilligan, Ryan Little, Ben Heasman, Denny Moyers 

Research Contributors: 
Arnav Kele, Dana Molzhigit (conceptual framework) 

Special Thanks to: 
UCL Innovation and Enterprise, Bio-ID, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL

Photo © Phyta Biodesign