DESIGN-DRIVEN SCIENCE-INFORMED (SCI-IN) TRANSDISCIPLINARITY. Measuring transdisciplinarity in the field of Biodesign.

The paper explores the role of Biodesign as a transdisciplinary and inclusive practice capable of valuing a plurality of knowledge systems and translating languages belonging to heterogeneous disciplinary cultures. It operates in a non-linear and trans-scalar way, combining design practice with scientific methodology. The establishment of the Biodesign Research Unit at the University of Florence provides a privileged context for experimenting with design-driven strategies that foster dialogue between design and scientific cultures. The Unit integrates approaches and tools from Design, Chemistry, Engineering, and Agricultural Microbiology within research projects and educational activities. The article critically examines these design experiences, assessing the degree of transdisciplinarity through selected case studies and a qualitative analysis based on measurable—yet inherently complex—indicators. The adopted methodologies outline a plural and recursive design paradigm, in which collaboration among different domains enriches the design process and enhances the designer’s ability to master “other” methods, tools, and languages. The paper presents the first outcomes of the Biodesign Research Unit, showing how the intersection of design and scientific methods generates recursive dialogic relationships, leading to more tangible and innovative results in product systems, material development, and higher education.