The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using synthetic organic polymers to control crystal growth with a view to generating organic/inorganic composites. This work was inspired by examples of biocomposites such as bone and shell. In these organic/inorganic hybrids the identity of the mineral phase and organisation of the bioorganic domains is controlled to yield functionally optimised structures. The bio-organic assemblages are multi-component systems, where pre-organised, three-dimensional scaffolds are further decorated with organic polymers which direct crystal growth at defined loci. Here the aims were (i) to investigate possible synthetic polymers that demonstrate an ability to direct crystal growth and (ii) to fabricate a three-dimensional scaffold that may be functionalised to secure control of crystal growth.