This thesis examines how safety and sustainability can be integrated into novel biobased façade panels. In the context of rapid urbanisation, climate change and the construction sector’s significant environmental footprint, biobased materials offer potential but face barriers such as fire safety, durability and long-term performance concerns. The EU’s SSbD framework embeds safety and sustainability from early product development, yet its application to construction, particularly for biobased façades, remains limited.

Using Leafy, a startup producing bamboo-based panels, as a case study, this research operationalises the SSbD framework through a qualitative approach with quantitative elements, drawing on document analysis and stakeholder interviews. Findings indicate that SSbD can be effectively applied to green façade panels through a tiered, multi-criteria assessment that integrates hazard analysis, life cycle thinking and risk mitigation. Responsible design requires meeting minimum safety and sustainability thresholds, guided by precaution and transparency. The study calls for adapting SSbD to address the specific challenges of biobased materials and the evolving needs of the construction sector.

This thesis explores how perceptions within Global North–South research collaborations can inform strategies to promote equity in open science (OS) integration at TU Delft. While the university has positioned itself as a leader in open science, there remains a gap between institutional policy and the lived experiences of researchers. Many researchers, even those aligned with the values of open science, lack a clear framework to meaningfully engage with its principles, particularly in relation to equity. Through a framework combining Sabina Leonelli's Philosophy of Open Science and UNESCO’s Recommendation on Open Science, along with semi-structured interviews with scientists associated with the TU Delft Global Initiative, this research highlights how multidirectional dialogue and reflection can reshape perceptions and practices. The research revealed a shared desire for spaces that promote critical engagement, capacity-building, and mutual learning, as seen in initiatives like Global Initiative Luncheons and GROW PhD events. However, while TU Delft has made progress in accessibility, there is a significant gap in addressing the dominance of the Global North in scientific knowledge production. Many researchers remain unaware of the broader implications of open science, and the university's 2024-2028 Strategic Plan lacks clear initiatives to support inclusive, multidirectional exchanges, particularly with marginalized communities. The findings emphasize the need for the continuation of current efforts and the fostering of more communities to amplify the contributions of Global South researchers and promote equitable collaborations. By centering the voices of participating scientists, this thesis argues that the process of research—how we listen, reflect, and collaborate—can itself be an act of open science. In doing so, it invites a broader understanding of what it means to do science in service of equity.