Polybion and Natural Urbano design bacteria-grown lamp series
Polybion and Mexico-based design studio Natural Urbano have introduced Lapso, a sculptural lamp produced from cultivated bacterial cellulose. The project represents the first interior design application of Celium, Polybion’s premium biofabricated material. Each lamp is hand-crafted from five sheets of cellulose grown through bacterial fermentation. The process results in surfaces with subtle variations in tone, density, and texture, ensuring that no two pieces are identical. The design approach treats these natural differences as defining characteristics, establishing each lamp as a singular object.
The lamp was first presented at The Biofab Fair by Biofabricate during the London Design Festival in September 2025, where it was highlighted as an early example of bacterial cellulose applied in lighting design. Following its debut, Lapso became available to order directly through Natural Urbano, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
all images courtesy of Polybion and Natural Urbano
merging biology, design, and art into living light sculptures
The lighting piece is designed to interact with its environment. When illuminated, the translucent material reveals gradients and layered textures, creating variations in depth and opacity. When unlit, the form emphasizes its material qualities, shifting between presence and absence depending on context and time of day. Lapso is produced in two versions: Natural, with a warm hue reflecting the untreated cellulose, and Humo, a darker variant achieved through dyeing. Both editions emphasize the biological origin of the material while expanding its aesthetic range.
Development of the lamp spanned more than a year of collaborative work between biotechnology company Polybion and design studio Natural Urbano. The process included testing of thickness, stitching, edge detailing, and light diffusion. The final configuration incorporates a removable screen that balances translucency with durability, while also allowing for replacement and long-term maintenance. Lapso marks Polybion’s entry into interior design and illustrates the potential of biofabricated materials in contemporary product development. The lamp is made to order, with a lead time of approximately two months, and is available for worldwide shipping.
Lapso – a sculptural lamp made from cultivated bacterial cellulose
a design collaboration between Polybion and Natural Urbano
Lapso series introduces Celium to interior design applications
each lamp is hand-crafted from five cellulose sheets
surfaces show unique textures, tones, and densities
no two Lapso lamps are identical
natural variation is treated as a defining design feature
the project is recognized as an early use of bacterial cellulose in lighting
translucent cellulose reveals gradients when illuminated
material qualities are emphasized when unlit
the lamp shifts with context, distance, and time of day
Lapso introduces biofabricated materials into lighting design
Natural model highlights the warm tone of untreated cellulose
Humo model introduces a darker variation through dyeing
project info:
name: Lapso – Celium
designer: Polybion | @polybion × Natural Urbano | @natural_urbano
design team: Sebastián Beltrán, Lorena Márquez
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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