**Algamatrix prototype outcome; 30’’5’’30’’
Anthropogenic activities are driving climate change and extreme weather events, posing significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and built environments. With the rising urban population, the environmental impact of the building sector is becoming increasingly alarming. Given the high embodied energy and energy consumption associated with buildings, there is a pressing need to advocate for self-sustaining architectural functions and carbon-neutral practices.
In response to these challenges, this project introduces Algamatrix—a revolutionized algae-based bioreactor integrated as part of the living building system. Algamatrix operates through a modular assembly of inflatable pockets, facilitating the circulation of living microalgae and harnessing their ability to convert water and carbon dioxide into vital organic compounds.
This project tackles pressing environmental concerns by employing advanced materials, computational technology, and biophilic design to regenerate consumable resources and promote sustainable architectural practices. Drawing parallels with regenerative life support systems (RLSS) crucially utilized in NASA Habitat designs for their efficient recycling of limited resources, Algamatrix envisions a future where buildings not only sustain themselves but also actively contribute to environmental revitalization.
https://youtu.be/8Tspd5Ghn5k?si=v7TgfiZkzuKYfutN
Algamatrix embodies a significant innovation in sustainable architectural design and environmental engineering. By integrating biophilic design with biotechnological applications, Algamatrix not only demonstrates forward-thinking urban habitation methods but also establishes a symbiotic relationship between human activity and the natural environment. Additionally, it contributes to the existing framework of regenerative life support systems that is key to the design of extraterrestrial human habitats. The findings from this research lay the groundwork for reconsidering and reshaping the integration of architectural design and biological processes, highlighting the authentic fusion between architectural design and biological agency. This enables a dynamic shift from stable, predictable outcomes, and contributes to a nuanced understanding of the intersection between design, technology, and the socio-spatial fabric.
<aside> ⚪ **How can Living Algae systems be integrated into a Self-sustaining Bioregenerative Life Support System for built environments?
What design strategies should be consider to IMPLEMENT living algae’s application and duration?**
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Two micro-algae species*, Chlorella vulgaris* and Spirulina platensis, were selected for cultivation experiment due to their high efficiency in air purification and environmental revitalization. These species were chosen for their robust growth rates and resilience under varying environmental conditions. The microalgae were cultivated in flasks on a lab shaker, with parafilm covering the openings to facilitate the organisms' respiration.