Molecular networks are key to the adaptiveness of biological systems and it would be very useful if this concept could be introduced into simple man-made functional materials, which could adapt to changing environments. In biology, adaptiveness (as a consequence of evolution) is achieved through a combination of catalysis, self-assembly, molecular recognition and compartmentalisation. These individual molecular processes are closely linked, a situation which may be achieved in laboratory based systems by sharing of building blocks between these individual processes, thereby giving rise to networked systems that are highly responsive and adaptive to changing external conditions. We have made the first steps towards developing evolvable materials, and will present progress in (i) structure/function relationships in peptide self-assembly, (ii) development of catalytic peptides, (iii) self-selecting peptide libraries achieved by combining fully reversible amino acid exchange in self-assembing peptide systems. The overall aim of this area is to produce laboratory made molecular materials that incorporate the above features and are able to adapt and change their properties in response to external environmental changes. Potential applications in biomaterials science will be discussed.