In the pursuit of innovative solutions for urban environments, researchers are shifting the paradigm of architectural aesthetics and functionality by integrating microbial life into building façades. The REMEDY project, which stands for “Archibiome tattoo for resistant, responsive, and resilient cities,” is an ambitious initiative that seeks to revolutionize how cities interact with the biological world. This international collaboration involves scholars and industry experts from Slovenia, Austria, the Netherlands, and Slovakia, working together to craft living inks that can transform lifeless external walls into vibrant ecosystems teeming with beneficial microorganisms.
Traditional building exteriors are often seen as mere structural necessities devoid of any interactive functionality. However, with the advent of the REMEDY project, they could soon act as living sculptures that contribute to air purification, carbon dioxide sequestration, and climate resilience. The consortium envisions applying customized microbial communities onto surfaces composed of concrete, metal, wood, and other materials, effectively turning buildings into active agents in environmental remediation and urban sustainability.
The project’s funding from the European Innovation Council, totaling nearly three million euros, underscores the potential impact of this research. As urban spaces within the European Union prepare for the renovation of approximately 9.4 billion square meters of roofs and façades over the next 25 years, the opportunity to embed microbial communities in these structures has never been more pertinent. Researchers highlight that existing urban landscapes under renovation can provide extensive liveable surfaces that could mitigate climate change while enhancing human health.
Central to this project is a team of scientists at the University of Ljubljana, led by microbiologist Nina Gunde-Cimerman. This group is tasked with sorting through various fungal and bacterial species to determine which can coexist harmoniously on building surfaces. The intent is to create interkingdom microbial consortia that can thrive in urban environments, providing a self-sustaining support system for buildings. With the right partnerships, these microbial communities could evolve into robust ecosystems capable of resisting invading pathogenic microbes and autonomously repairing façade damage like superficial cracks.
Carole Planchette, a key figure from the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer, plays a crucial role in developing a suitable living ink containing these microorganisms. The ink must be capable of sustaining life after it undergoes the printing process to ensure the microorganisms can flourish upon application. The selected inkjet technology allows for a precise deposition of the ink onto designated surfaces, a necessary aspect given the relatively large size of the microorganisms compared to typical ink particles, which exist on a nanoscale.
The technological hurdles presented by this project are formidable. Conventional inkjet printing systems are not optimized for the deposition of larger biological entities, necessitating innovations in both print head design and ink formulation. Working with specialized manufacturers such as Qres Technologies from Slovakia and coating experts like Tiger Coatings from Austria, Planchette and her team aim to overcome these obstacles. Their collaborative efforts focus on modifying existing printing technologies to accommodate the unique requirements of living inks.
A breakthrough in materials science could come from this endeavor, paving the way for engineered living materials capable of personalized design in architecture. Anna Sandak, the project coordinator representing the InnoRenew CoE in Slovenia, emphasizes the importance of transferring fundamental research knowledge in microbiology and synthetic biology to bolster advancements in the built environment. This cross-disciplinary synthesis may lead not only to enhanced building resilience but also to systemic innovations in urban design.
As the project progresses, the consortium is focused on sourcing microorganisms that can survive through the printing process and adapt to the environmental stressors they will face. Living inks hold the promise of unique applications in diverse fields, yet their inclusion in industrial processes such as inkjet printing presents a separate set of challenges. Ensuring that these evolving inks remain stable and deliver precise results amidst variable parameters is an uncharted territory that the researchers are excited to explore.
In the broader context of urban ecology, this project could serve as a model for other cities aiming to harness natural biological systems within their infrastructures. By cultivating life in otherwise neglected architectural elements, urban planners and architects could reinvent the way the built environment interfaces with the natural world. Living façades may ultimately transform building exteriors into active participants in their surroundings, promoting environmental health and improving the urban experience for inhabitants.
As innovations continue to emerge from the REMEDY initiative, the various partners involved underscore the importance of collaboration across diverse disciplines, spanning biology, engineering, and architecture. This consortium’s multi-faceted approach represents a progressive shift toward sustainable living solutions that transcend conventional engineering practices to include ecological principles. With ongoing research and development, the potential for microbial life to positively influence the urban environment will only increase.
The implications of living buildings extend beyond aesthetics or novelty; they represent a critical intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. As efforts to combat climate change intensify, projects like REMEDY are vital for creating resilient urban spaces capable of adapting to future challenges. The integration of living materials into architecture could usher in an era where built environments actively contribute to their ecological contexts, transforming not just buildings but the very idea of urban living itself.
Ultimately, the REMEDY project serves as a reminder of the immense potential inherent in bridging technology and biology. As researchers navigate the complexities of this ambitious initiative, they invite urban dwellers and designers alike to reimagine how spaces could function harmoniously within the natural world. It is through such collective and innovative efforts that we may forge a sustainable urban future, where buildings not only house human activity but also foster thriving ecosystems.
Subject of Research: Integration of beneficial microorganisms into building façades to enhance environmental benefits.
Article Title: Transforming Urban Architecture: The Promise of Living Inks in Building Façades
News Publication Date: October 2023
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Image Credits: Ana Gubenšek
Keywords
Microbial communities, urban sustainability, living inks, environmental innovation, building resilience
