{"id":21930,"date":"2026-01-16T10:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T10:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.koktailmagazine.com\/?p=21930"},"modified":"2026-01-19T04:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T04:03:08","slug":"friday-future-lister-yale-and-her-spirulina-bedroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.koktailmagazine.com\/th\/2026\/01\/16\/friday-future-lister-yale-and-her-spirulina-bedroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday Future Lister: Yale and Her Spirulina Bedroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Anya \u201cYale\u201d Muangkote, her bedroom is not just for sleeping but is also for spirulina cultivation, materials research and sustainable thinking.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Courtesy of Spirulina Society<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a living space, one might expect comfort and cosy details. Instead, the bedroom we take you into reveals something unexpected: spirulina, known as a superfood. Here, it serves a clear purpose rooted in care for the environment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the sanctuary of Anya \u201cYale\u201d Muangkote. Her living room and bedroom double as a laboratory. Here, a familiar object might catch your eye, one that looks like a coffee dripper, only to reveal itself as a spirulina filter instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first met Yale during a talk session where she spoke about her work with one of our Future List projects, Sar.rra<\/a>i, which explores mycelium-based packaging as a sustainable alternative. That conversation left a lasting impression and sparked the need for a deeper discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Koktail Thailand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It drew my attention to the biggest elephant in the room, or rather, in her bedroom. The project is called Spirulina Society. We spoke with Yale about her vision and the ideas behind this unconventional space, shaped by innovation and a commitment to a more sustainable environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Academic Research to Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spirulina Society is a platform that provides tools and guidance by making cultivation knowledge accessible through clear step-by-step guides, alongside physical kits for growing spirulina that can work almost anywhere in the world. What began as a small academic project has since developed into a practical initiative with wider reach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Spirulina Society<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The idea first took shape during her studies in Product Design at the Royal College of Art in the UK. During her studies, her work explored alternative materials and biomaterials valued for natural decomposition but limited by strength and water resistance. This later shifted towards alternative food systems, driven by awareness of the food industry\u2019s impact on climate change from food waste to resource heavy production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Spirulina Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spirulina emerged as a response to these concerns, as it offers a form of food production that requires fewer resources and creates less waste while also providing a nutrient dense superfood rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Yale began by testing spirulina cultivation at home with everyday items such as bottles and jars and turned her space in London to a lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Spirulina Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAfter a span of two to three months of initial research, I realised that I could grow spirulina inside my bedroom quite effectively using locally sourced apparatus and 3D-printed prototypes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Spirulina needs little care once properly set up. It uses few tools, stays low in maintenance and cost and offers strong potential as an accessible food source. For specialised equipment including lids with air vents and overhead lights, which proved essential in a grey city, she designed her own solutions. Each piece followed proper cultivation principles and she reworked the forms to feel more like lifestyle objects. These designs are now available for sale for others to grow spirulina by themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Spirulina Society<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI decided to take Spirulina Society beyond the academic realm because I am curious about its real world potential. Fresh spirulina is not well known to the public, as limited access makes it expensive for most people. I believe that local sourcing and production are key to an empowering and sustainable lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Through Spirulina Society, this research now translates into accessible knowledge and simple tools that allow more people to take part in small-scale cultivation. Her work was shortlisted for the Distributed Design Awards 2020 and the Green Concept Award 2021. She has exhibited at Tallinn Design Festival 2021 as part of SOS Design and at London Design Festival 2020 in the Brompton Design District. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Spirulina Society<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Spirulina: Rethinking Other Materials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What began in her bedroom now extends far beyond it. Spirulina has become just one part of Yale\u2019s wider vision, as her commitment to sustainable living grows beyond small scale cultivation. After returning to Thailand following her studies, her work expanded towards projects with a broader environmental focus. One such initiative is regen districts, which brings together artists and designers who work with biodegradable materials made from household food waste. At its core is a network map that connects people interested in collecting and reusing organic waste for creative purposes, with strong participation from local Thai artists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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