Living Facade

Project: “Bio-Symphony” Living Facade

The “Bio-Symphony” project re-imagines the building facade not as a static, sealed envelope, but as a productive, living skin. This experimental installation integrates a modular system of photobioreactors into the facade of a building, using the photosynthetic power of micro-algae to purify the air, produce biomass, and create a dynamic, ever-changing architectural aesthetic.

1. Concept: The Facade as a Bioreactor

Modern buildings are major consumers of energy and producers of CO2. This project flips that paradigm on its head, proposing a facade that actively sequesters carbon and generates resources.

Harnessing Photosynthesis

Micro-algae are among the most efficient photosynthetic organisms on the planet. They consume CO2 and sunlight and produce oxygen and biomass. The core of the project is a system of flat, transparent panels filled with a nutrient-rich liquid where these algae can thrive. These panels act as “photobioreactors.”

A Closed-Loop System

The system is designed as a closed loop. The building’s own CO2 emissions (from its heating and ventilation systems) are captured and fed into the bioreactor panels to nourish the algae. The algae grow and multiply, and when they reach a certain density, they are harvested. The harvested biomass can then be processed to create a variety of valuable products.

2. System Design and Operation

The facade is composed of a modular system of interconnected panels, allowing it to be adapted to different building sizes and orientations.

The Bioreactor Panels

Each panel is a sealed unit made of high-strength, UV-resistant glass. An internal system of baffles ensures that the liquid circulates continuously, exposing all the algae to sunlight. The vibrant green color of the facade is the natural color of the algae themselves, which changes in intensity depending on the time of day and the density of the culture.

Harvesting and Processing

A network of small tubes connects all the panels to a central processing unit. Periodically, a portion of the dense, green liquid is pumped out and harvested. The algae are separated from the water, which is then enriched with new nutrients and returned to the facade panels. The harvested algae “paste” is a raw material with numerous potential uses.

Potential Products

• Biofuel: The lipids (oils) in the algae can be extracted and converted into biodiesel.
• Fertilizer: The nutrient-rich algae biomass is an excellent organic fertilizer.
• Nutritional Supplements: Certain species of algae, like Spirulina, are high in protein and can be processed into health supplements.
• Bioplastics: The biomass can also be used as a feedstock for the production of biodegradable plastics.

3. Performance and Impact

Beyond its function as a resource generator, the “Bio-Symphony” facade has several other key benefits.

Dynamic Shading and Thermal Regulation

The dense algae culture acts as a natural shading device, reducing solar heat gain in the summer and lowering the building’s cooling load. The water in the panels also adds thermal mass to the facade, helping to regulate the building’s internal temperature.

A New, Living Aesthetic

The project proposes a new kind of beauty in architecture—one that is dynamic and alive. The color of the facade changes throughout the day, and the gentle bubbling of the circulation system adds a subtle sense of movement. It is an architecture that visually expresses its ecological function.

Public Engagement

The “Bio-Symphony” facade is a powerful public statement. It makes the invisible processes of carbon capture and resource production visible, educating the public and promoting a new vision for sustainable urban development. It demonstrates that buildings don’t have to be passive consumers; they can be active, productive participants in the urban ecosystem.