Parker, Brenda; Cruz, Marcos; (2024) Augmented Polycultures: Scaling up Algal Ecosystems and Design of a Biofouling Aesthetic. In: Hendlin, Yogi Hale and Weggelar, Johanna and Derossi, Natalia and Mugnai, Sergio, (eds.) Being Algae: Transformations in Water, Plants. (pp. 234-267). Brill: Leiden, Netherlands.

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Abstract

To lay the foundations for the Biocene, a potential future era of our Anthropocene human habitat, the infrastructure of our built environment should play a more active role in carbon mitigation and reduction. Algae and cryptogrammic species will become important elements of bio-integrated “photosynthetic cities”. However, to realise this, we will need to relinquish notions of monoculture and purity associated with highly maintained and controlled cultivation. This chapter will look back at the origins of contained microalgal culture in the realms of science and engineering to understand the basis for our current design language. We assume the position that in future, consortia-based approaches with direct exposure to the outdoor environment will be required in order to deliver the vision of algae for bioremediation or microbiome-inspired green infrastructure in a resilient way. Ultimately, our photosynthetic human habitat will embody a more provocative and disobedient condition. Reconciling with the abject nature of biofouling, overcoming disgust and ultimately reaching an acceptance of the sublime will be needed in order to form ecologically relevant and environmentally meaningful interventions. The role of design will be pivotal to introduce a new aesthetic which is based on how we embrace self-regenerative conditions while promoting heterogeneity and biodiversity in buildings.

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