Bartlett Student Named Forbes Poland 25 Under 25 Finalist

The Forbes Poland ‘25 Under 25’ competition is a joint initiative by Forbes magazine and McKinsey & Company (Warsaw office) which aims to identify 25 young and ambitious individuals who aspire to change the socio-economic landscape of Poland. 

Natalia Piórecka has been recognised in the ‘New Technologies’ category for her innovative work in the Biodesign field, completed during her final year of the Bio-Integrated Design MArch programme. Her project, MYCOsella – Growing the Mycelium Chair, explores the use of the living organism mycelium, a network of fungal cells, in developing sustainable biomaterials. Natalia produced a series of biodegradable chairs from mycelium composite, showcasing the opportunities for innovation in design and technology.  

Commenting on the achievement, Natalia said: 

I'm incredibly honoured to be recognised among such inspiring individuals in the Forbes ‘25 under 25’. It's a privilege to be part of a group that's making significant strides in technology, social equality, and environmental conservation. Being among 25 Poles changing our nation's future is truly humbling. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to continue my research at The Bartlett, which has been a pivotal part of my journey. This recognition fuels my commitment to contribute to impactful changes even further.”

Natalia’s work has also received recognition and has been featured at various prestigious events and scientific conferences, including the 2022 and 2023 Bartlett B-Pro Shows, Munich Creative Business Week, ArcInTex Symposium: Living Textile Architectures, UCL Robotic Institute Conference 2023, and the Poland 2.0 Summit 2022 among others. She is currently focused on expanding her research and design projects by exploring innovative material solutions with ecological benefits.

More information 

• View Natalia Piórecka’s profile 
• Explore Natalia Piórecka’s project from the The Bartlett B-Pro Show 2023 
• Find out more about The Bartlett B-Pro Show
• Bio-Integrated Design (Bio-ID) MArch/MSc
• Read more about the Forbes Poland 25 Under 25 finalists

Lead image: Natalia Beata Piórecka
Slideshow images: MYCOsella by Natalia Piórecka