At GROWN, we are an interdisciplinary team of scientists, designers, engineers, and makers exploring the potential of natural materials. With backgrounds ranging from architecture, microbiology, and material science to textile design and agriculture, we combine hands-on experimentation with applied research. Our shared focus lies in bio-based materials, regenerative systems, and small-scale processes—from cultivation to application.
Valentine Troi
Research Group Leader
Architecture, Material Technology (Innsbruck, Lund)
After years in fiber composite R&D at the intersection of industry and innovation, she now focuses exclusively on natural fibers in her applied material research. Her work is rooted in the principles of bioeconomy, tracing material journeys from field to product.
Jasmin Martinez
Research Associate
Textile and Material Design (Berlin), PhD Candidate
Jasmin works in textile fabrication with open-source tools and small-scale machines to explore the potential of fiber-based materials by transforming them into textile structures.
Maximilian Trojer
Research Associate
Architecture (Innsbruck)
Maximilian translates his competence in material design and computation from architectural issues into material technologies.
Judith Ascher-Jenull
Senior Researcher
Experimental Architecture (Innsbruck, Integrative Design/Extremes)
As a microbiologist with an affinity for art, Judith brings years of experience in basic and applied environmental microbiology and ecology, integrating microbial binders like fungal mycelia and SCOBY to bio-GROWN structures.
Stephanie Höcker
Research Associate
Fashion Design (Bielefeld)
Stephanie is a natural fiber enthusiast working at the interface of farming, handcraft, and small-scale production, with a hands-on approach to material cycles.
Benjamin Grupp
Student Research Assistant
Material and Nano Sciences (Innsbruck)
With a deep understanding of materials at the nanoscale, Benni brings expertise in the machines and methods that reveal and shape their inner structures.
Associated GROWN Members
Simon Hinderling
Material and Energetic Exploitation of Renewable Raw Materials (Vienna)
Specialized in renewable raw materials, Simon explores fast-growing materials and holistic concepts of possible application fields—combining bionic intelligence with structural design.
Felicia Weinschenk
Architecture (Innsbruck)
At Gartenzwerg, Felicia cultivates fiber plants and biomass on a small scale, grounding GROWNlab’s material research in soil and season.
Rupert Asanger
Architecture (Innsbruck)
Rupert moves fluidly between analog and digital making, combining craftsmanship and digital manufacturing with his experience as an architect and trained carpenter.