In order to realize completely new functional design approaches one has to deal with combinations of different geometries, materials and construction methods. The acquisition of the needed data for a totally new initial model is complex and therefore the design of new light structures is typically done by changing or optimizing existing solutions. In contrast, the new database-driven engineering and design tool ELiSE 3D draws on the shell design of high-strength, unicellular marine organisms such as diatoms and radiolaria to provide design concepts for large scale technical lightweight structures. Since about 100.000 different species with different light structure geometries are known, a systematic use of this pool of potentially technically usable structures has a high potential to design and improve lightweight constructions in different industries. Here we show, that unique design solutions can be found efficiently and integrated to a consistent workflow.