
Pippa McLeod-Brown
Research Assistant | Architect
Pippa McLeod-Brown is an experimental bio-designer and practicing architect. She has a passion for pursuing the integration of biological materials and systems in architecture for a more sustainable built environment. Pippa has extensive experience researching the properties of bacteria spore-based hygromorphs, and she now focuses on applying her expertise from both architecture and research, to explore ecological design methodology using the molecular power of microorganisms as a generator for biological design protocols.
She is a co-founder of the bio-design collaborative Culina. Culina's immersive video experience of their microbially influenced restaurant and research facility was awarded the prize for Outstanding Presentation in the Biodesign Challenge 2020. Her research at HBBE revolves around developing the Culina concept as a generator of energy and food circularity at the domestic scale, tested at the HBBE's experimental home for more sustainable architectural futures.
Pippa holds a diploma, master’s degree and bachelor's degree in Architecture from Newcastle University. She works as an architect in a London-based practice alongside working as a Research Assistant in Prototyping Biological Architecture at the HBBE to facilitate key information exchanges between sectors to assist in research and practice development.
e: philippa.mcleod-brown@newcastle.ac.uk
She is a co-founder of the bio-design collaborative Culina. Culina's immersive video experience of their microbially influenced restaurant and research facility was awarded the prize for Outstanding Presentation in the Biodesign Challenge 2020. Her research at HBBE revolves around developing the Culina concept as a generator of energy and food circularity at the domestic scale, tested at the HBBE's experimental home for more sustainable architectural futures.
Pippa holds a diploma, master’s degree and bachelor's degree in Architecture from Newcastle University. She works as an architect in a London-based practice alongside working as a Research Assistant in Prototyping Biological Architecture at the HBBE to facilitate key information exchanges between sectors to assist in research and practice development.
e: philippa.mcleod-brown@newcastle.ac.uk
May 21, 2026
Textile Waste to Future Feedstock presents a visual manifesto for the future of textile waste in North East England. Whilst identifying the challenges and complexity of […]
May 21, 2026
Fungi Forum, a unique artwork installation, designed, developed and grown by Artist and Newcastle University Final Year Art Student Emily Ford, will take centre stage at a […]
February 13, 2026
We are seeking a motivated Biodesign Research Assistant to join a BBSRC Engineering Biology Mission Award project focused on translating bacterial cellulose based leather alternatives into real-world prototypes. […]



