ecoLogicStudio has been invited by INL, International Iberian Institute for Nanotechnologies and the City of Braga to rethink the Urban Algae Folly project presented at ExpoMilano2015 this year in Milan (Italy) for Praça da República in Braga (Portugal).
The Urban Algae Folly, designed by ecoLogicStudio, is an interactive pavilion integrating living micro-algal cultures, a built example of architecture’s bio-digital future.
Microalgae, in this instance Chlorella, are exceptional photosynthetic machines; they contain nutrients that are fundamental to the human body, such as minerals and vegetable proteins; microalgae also oxygenate the air and can absorb CO2 from the urban atmosphere ten times more effectively than large trees.
The innovative architecture of the Urban Algae Folly originates from the evolution of the well known ETFE architectural skin system; in this instance it has the ability to provide the ideal habitat both to stimulate Chlorella’s growth and to guarantee visitors interaction. In any given moment the effective translucency, the colour, the reflectivity, the sound and productivity of the Urban Algae Folly are the result of the symbiotic relationship of climate, microalgae, humans and digital control systems.
Credits:
Urban Algae Folly A project by ecoLogicStudio: Claudia Pasquero, Marco Poletto (London, UK)
Design Team: Marco Poletto, Claudia Pasquero, Andrea Dal Negro, Terezia Greskova, Alberto Chiusoli, Fanny Ciufo, Kyriaki Goti, Olga Carcassi, Nikolaos Xenos.
Digital responsive systems: Alt N –Nick Puckett
Data Interface: Immanuel Koh
Structural Engineering: Format Engineers
Project Management: Paolo Scoglio
Local Construction Support: Cristina Padilha, Hugo Cortez. ETFE contractor: Taiyo Europe GmbH
Metal Structure: GV Filtri
Microalgae culture: Sciento UK
Commissioned and Supported by: INL Braga, Bioinspired Forum, The City of Braga, The Francisco Manuel De Santos Foundation, EXPOMilano2015, COOPItalia.
[UaF] Braga Day view_transparent tank,heart of circulation, (300L of algae), monitoring sensors, heaters regulating temperature