Umbrellus

Hi, I’m Aliet, founder of Umbrellus, a design studio creating regenerative infrastructure using living materials like mycelium and agricultural byproducts.Bior Illume was born from a quiet realisation: while our shelters and public spaces were being reimagined through Umbrellus, our intimate spaces, the corners of our homes, our moments of stillness - deserved the same care, the same connection to nature.Bior Illume brings that philosophy indoors through sculptural lighting grown from living materials. Each piece becomes a gentle reminder that the things we live with can be alive, regenerative, and made with intention.I didn’t start with a science degree or a formal design background, I started with a deep reverence for nature and a desire to create in a way that felt honest. Mycelium became my medium because it embodies quiet strength. It grows from waste, repairs broken systems, and disappears back into the earth when its work is done. There’s so much wisdom in that cycle.I created these workshops to share that experience with others. We don’t just make lampshades, we enter into a process of slowness, reflection, and care. These sessions are as much about listening as they are about making.Over the past few years, I’ve taught at wellness spaces, design studios, and mission-aligned organisations including Space2b Design, and Radiant Sol Yoga. Our lamps are currently on display at Project Project in Collingwood, as part of a growing partnership rooted in local craft and sustainable design.I love teaching because something special happens when people reconnect with nature through their hands. No two lamps are ever the same, and that’s the beauty of it. You're growing something living, sculpting light with the earth itself.If you’re curious about circular design, material storytelling, or just looking for a different way to spend your weekend, I’d love to welcome you into this practice.Let’s grow something beautiful, together.With love, AlietFounder of Umbrellus & Bior Illume