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Hamburg, Germany

Project by Arup Germany

Photographer: © Colt International, Arup Deutschland, SSC GmbH

"BIQ - The World´s first SolarLeaf-Building in Hamburg, Germany with 200 m2 of active SolarLeaf area; South-east and South-west elevations"

"SolarLeaf - The World´s first Algae-biomass producing Facade System; SolarLeaf-Louver Detail"

Hamburg debut for world’s first algae-based bio-reactive façade The bioreactor façade at the BIQ house is in position and will be showcased for the first time on 23 March at the opening of the International Building Exhibition in Hamburg The integrated algae-based system will be put into full operational mode at an inauguration event for the media on 25 April The BIQ house will become the world’s first pilot project to showcase a bioreactive façade at the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg on 23 March. With 200m² of integrated photo-bioreactors, this passive-energy house generates biomass and heat as renewable energy resources. At the same time, the system integrates additional functionalities such as dynamic shading, thermal insulation and noise abatement, highlighting the full potential of this technology. The microalgae used in the facades are cultivated in flat panel glass bioreactors measuring 2,5m x 0,7m. In total, 129 bioreactors have been installed on the south west and south east faces of the four-storey residential building. The heart of the system is the fully automated energy management centre where solar thermal heat and algae are harvested in a closed loop to be stored and used to generate hot water. The innovative façade system is the result of three years of research and development by Colt International based on a bio-reactor concept developed by SSC Ltd and design work led by the international design consultant and engineering firm, Arup. Funding support came from the German Government’s “ZukunftBau” research initiative. Arup’s Europe Research Leader, Jan Wurm, said, “Using bio-chemical processes in the façade of a building to create shade and energy is a really innovative concept. It might well become a sustainable solution for energy production in urban areas, so it is great to see it being tested in a real-life scenario.” The system will be officially presented to the media on 25 April 2013 when the biofaçade system goes into operation for the first time. During the media event, the technology will be presented in detail and the team will publish comprehensive documentation on the system.

Architects: SPLITTERWERK, Graz, Austria

Arup Colt SSC

"BIQ - The World´s first SolarLeaf-Building in Hamburg, Germany with 200 m2 of active SolarLeaf area; South-east elevation"

"BIQ - The World´s first SolarLeaf-Building in Hamburg, Germany; Sunlight tracking around a vertical axis"

"BIQ - The World´s first SolarLeaf-Building in Hamburg, Germany; AirLift-System bubbles rising in the SolarLeaf Louvers"

"SolarLeaf - The World´s first Algae-biomass producing Facade System; SolarLeaf-Louver viewed from Backside with hidden Horizontal Support System"

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August 7, 2014

2 comments:

An experienced architect can help adding strength and beauty to a building, and that’s what a common man like me can demand while constructing a new home or renovating the old one.

Interesting project! House builders should be this innovative.

The BIQ: The Algae House

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World's First Algae Bioreactor Facade Nears Completion

• Written by Nicky Rackard
• Published on March 04, 2013

BIQ - the world's first algae powered building - is set to be completed in Germany later this month. Built for the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg , this zero-carbon apartment complex will sport a bright green facade-cum-algae farm, while its interior proposes a radical new theory on how we will live in the near future.

More about BIQ after the break...

At about the same size as bacteria, microalgae can produce more biofuel per hectare than alternative crops. This joint venture between Splitterwerk Architects , ARUP , Colt International and Strategic Science Consult marks the first time algae-reactors have been fully integrated into the fabric of a building.

On the south-east and south-west facades, there is a second skin of hollow glass panels containing micro-algae farms. Here, the algae floats around basking in the sunlight which hits the structure, while being fed on a diet of carbon dioxide and nutrients by a network of pipes. Photosynthesizing and growing, the algae-pulp can then be periodically harvested and fermented in an external biogas plant to generate energy.

Aside from producing energy and performing the usual job of heat and sound insulation, the facade is characterized by other valuable traits. Heat from excess sunlight, not needed by the algae, is collected and can be stored in brine-filled boreholes, to be used for space and water heating. In addition, the algae provides adaptive shading throughout the year; the more intense the sunlight gets, the more algae grows inside the facade and the more shade is provided.

Also proposed by BIQ is a new model of living, which is based on the idea that the distinction between workplace and home is ever thinning, making traditional rigid apartment layouts somewhat obstructive. Two of the building's fifteen apartments have no separate rooms, instead they are large versatile spaces, which the resident can configure "on demand" to something which suits them.

Algae is quickly becoming a new buzzword in the fields of bio-architecture and energy production. As the likes of BP and Exxon put their money behind algae-fuel projects, algae-facades are increasingly being seen as a solution to the problem of sustainably powering buildings. Aside from being able to produce biomass and hydrogen, they can also be used to detect pollution and absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. Several conceptual projects have been proposed by architects, such as a plan to re-skin Chicago's Marina Towers with algae or ARUP's inclusion of algae-pods in their vision of the 'Skyscraper of 2050'.

via Good , IBA Hamburg

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Hamburg’s biq house is first algae-powered building in the world.

The building was designed by international firm Arup, with support from SSC Strategic Science Consultants from Germany and Splitterwerk Architects from Austria. The BIQ House was finally open during the International Building Exhibition in Hamburg.

According to Arup, with the current development of the likes of photovoltaic paint, high-rise farms and jet-powered robots, the buildings to be put up 50 years from now will be a lot different from what they are now. However, Arup maintains that there will soon be a shift towards living buildings which react and adjust to conditions on their own and interact with occupants. The BIQ House represents a milestone in their achieving this aim.

The design of BIQ House’s façade is such that the algae in bio-reactors grow at faster rates during bright sunlight so as to provide shade for occupants. These same bio-reactors generate biomass and absorb solar energy which can both be used to cater for the energy needs of the building.

Thus, shade for the building’s occupants is provided through the photosynthetic activity of the algae while their biomass provides a sustainable form of energy for the building. This integrated algae system will become fully operational when the technology is officially unveiled later in the month.

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Building the future with algae

We may associate algae with the sea – but innovative applications can use them to heat buildings sustainably, among other environmental benefits

• Prof. Sara Wilkinson
• Prof. Peter Ralph
• Prof. Arnaud Castel

13 October 2020

Building surveying

Algae grown in the University of Technology, Sydney science faculty © UTS

Increasing energy efficiency is a proven way to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with buildings – which, including their energy use, account for 40% of the world's total. Renewables offer great potential in this regard, and are set to dominate 21st-century energy production.

In 2017, for instance, bioenergy accounted for 70% of global renewable energy consumption, generating some 15m GWh, so it is no longer in transition in terms of volume. However, building surveyors know little about bioenergy, even though there are a number of innovative applications in the construction industry. Among these is algae building technology (ABT).

PBR pioneer

In 2013, Arup designed the Bio-Intelligent Quotient (BIQ) House in Hamburg, Germany, which is the first project in the world to use ABT. Mounted on the sides of the building that are exposed to the sun is a secondary facade of glazed, storey-height panels, partially filled with algae in water, which are called photo-bioreactors (PBRs). Biomass is grown in the PBRs and harvested for conversion into biofuel for the building's heating system, while the panels also collect solar thermal energy.

There are estimated to be between 300,000 and 500,000 species of algae, and many of these could be grown in the panels. The BIQ House uses Haematococcus pluvialis because it grows in suspension, whereas those algae that grow as biofilms would need to be scraped off the window surface and are not easily harvested from the water.

The BIQ consists of 15 apartments over 4 floors, with 120 PBRs totalling 200m 2 integrated into 2 facades. The panels are arranged horizontally to create a thermally controlled microclimate on the apartment balconies, insulating them from external noise and providing dynamic shading.

The external walls are of a low-energy Passivhaus design. However, the construction costs – around €5m – were higher than for conventional apartments, while the PBRs add dead loads to the structure that need to be factored in to the design.

The PBRs are designed to encourage algal growth and require minimal maintenance. They are constructed with 4 glass layers: a central cavity contains the algae suspension, between a pair of double-glazing units that are filled with argon gas to minimise heat loss. Mixing air and carbon dioxide in the PBRs maintains appropriate pH levels and creates the turbulence that causes algae to grow when it is exposed to sunlight.

Heat harvest

The liquid in the PBRs is recovered by a heat exchanger for hot water and central heating. Water temperature is controlled by the speed of fluid through the panels; for example, lower flow rates allow more time for sunlight to warm the water.

Generally speaking, temperature and light are the main criteria for selecting a suitable species of algae. As higher temperatures could harm or kill H. pluvialis , the maximum for the PBRs in the BIQ House is 40C. However, this largely limits the use of the extracted thermal energy to pre-heating other building systems. In a warmer climate than Germany this might not be the case – providing that local algae species suited to these conditions are selected.

The biomass is meanwhile transported by pipework to an on-site energy management centre where it is harvested, and the paste is taken to a separate processing facility for conversion into biofuel or other uses, such as fibre for fabric manufacture or feedstock for animals. The system needs regular maintenance and flushing to ensure constant flow rates for algal growth.

ABT is not yet as effective as other renewable energy sources. PBRs only convert 38% of the sunlight they collect into heat compared to 60–65% in conventional solar thermal sources, while the biofuel they produce only burns with 10% efficiency compared to the 12–15% efficiency of typical PV installations.

However, by sequestering carbon dioxide the algae does offer an advantage that renewables cannot, with the BIQ House's 200m 2 PBR facade removing up to 6 tonnes annually. PBRs can also provide energy directly to several building services, and supplementary benefits such as shading during the summer. On a cost–benefit analysis, therefore, the overall outcomes might be positive, although this still needs to be scientifically tested and confirmed.

Excess heat collected by the PBR facade panels is used to pre-heat domestic hot water and for central heating. The PBRs receive around 150kWh/m 2 a year, which heats them to around 40C. The solar thermal energy is fed into a heating network through a heat exchanger, or stored in underground geothermal boreholes.

The biomass grown is harvested every 3–4 weeks through an algae separator, and once converted into biofuel generates energy equating to around 30kWh/m 2 annually. Around 80% of the biomass harvested at the BIQ House is converted into methane at an off-site, outdoor biogas plant and returned to the building as fuel for electricity and heat generation.

ABT adoption

Acceptance of innovations such as ABT requires owners, users and built environment professionals – including surveyors, project managers, contractors, property and facility managers – to be aware of their benefits. Without this understanding, adoption of the technology will remain limited.

With this in mind, we carried out a feasibility study to ascertain the views of key stakeholders and professionals on the pros and cons of ABT. Our next article will outline their responses, as well as the technical issues associated with the technology.

"Acceptance of innovations such as ABT requires owners, users and built environment professionals to be aware of their benefits"

Algae's role in building materials

Algae also offer potential in the manufacture of building materials. Some species can produce shells, collecting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transforming it into calcium carbonate, which means carbon capture technology using algae could be installed in cement plants to produce sand suitable for concrete.

This would help alleviate exploitation of natural sand, which is now being depleted at a far greater rate than its renewal, while its excessive mining from rivers puts stress on their ecology and biodiversity. As carbon dioxide generation from the manufacture of Portland cement is second only to that from fossil fuels, such algal applications would also represent a step towards reducing emissions from this process.

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Beginning of construction: December 2011

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Project costs: approx. 4,5 Mio. Euro

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Otto Wulff Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co.KG Archenholzstraße 43 22117 Hamburg Bioreactor facade 
SSC Strategic Science Consult GmbH Beim Alten Gaswerk 5
22761 Hamburg

Control and Process engineering: Endress+Hauser Messtechnik GmbH+Co. KG Colmarer Str. 6 79576 Weil am Rhein Bioreactor façade: Colt International GmbH Briener Strasse 186 47533 Kleve Power Engeneering: ME-LE Energietechnik GmbH Eggesiner Straße 9c 17358 Torgelow Glass Engeneering: BGT Bischoff Glastechnik AG Alexander Str. 2 75015 Bretten

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Biomimicry in Architecture: Nature to Architecture

Have you heard the saying “Nature works in mysterious ways”? Nature in itself has an adaptive system that helps it to cope up with environmental changes. Nature can provide us solutions to a lot of our everyday issues. Inspirations from nature have given us answers for complex issues in product design, medicine, science, and technology. This is true for architecture as well! A deep look at the elements and systems of nature can help us derive solutions to our design and planning issues. This art of adapting concepts of nature into built form is known as  biomimicry in architecture .

With growing time and technology, we have realized that being associated with nature is the most beneficial to us. Therefore, getting to know the potential of biomimicry and embracing it is now vital. Architecturally, the more nature-oriented we are, the more feasible becomes our design. Biomimicry adds a sense of sustainability as well as creativity to design.

Understanding Biomimicry in Architecture

The word “Biomimicry” originates from the Greek term “bios” and “mimesis”. While “bios” means “life”, “mimesis” translates to “imitate”. Thus,  biomimicry in architecture  is imitating the live nature to achieve sustainable solutions. This nature-inspired innovation has led to the amalgamation of design and nature. Human designed solutions at times are crude. These solutions solve the problem for time being, however; do not target the core of the issues.

Peter Niewiarowski, a biologist at the Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center once said “The way biological systems solve problems is pretty different from the way engineered systems solve problems”. Hence, we can say that the inspirations from nature are more feasible and trustworthy. Moreover, Biomimicry has given architecture an empathetic edge and a process to solve the design challenges in an environment-friendly manner. Besides,  biomimicry architecture  has raised awareness about the well-being of all the lives on our planet. Therefore, this helps us inculcate wisdom in our designs and heal the planet through built forms.

Role of Biomimicry in Everyday Architecture

The role of  biomimicry in architecture is not limited to mimicking nature into build forms. Its scope is much more advanced and involves designing an alternate approach. In order to develop this alternative approach, we will have to first understand the concept of biomimicry better.

De-stressing the environment

The climate is facing the ill effects of our interventions into nature. Moreover, construction has also led to deforestation and the destruction of natural habitats. This is where  biomimicry in architecture  has an important role to play. We can try to adapt solutions that have already been tested by the natural habitat. Thus, saving our planet and its ecology.

Generosity in Design

Mass construction has led to the degradation of air, water, and soil. Nature showcases us the use of passive energy systems and change of functions to adapt to the existing conditions. The various examples of biomimicry in architecture  help us understand the use of circularity, sustainability and regenerative design. Hence, this makes us well equipped to design generously for all and thereby create an environment that is conductive of life, just like nature.

Catalysing the process of sustainability

There has been a lot of research into understanding how we have affected nature. But there are very few technologies that help us to reverse these adverse effects. We can say our R&D has been weak in preventing the destruction of ecology. On the other hand, we can see how nature and its forms adapt to the changing climates and create a beautiful coexistence. Thus,  biomimicry in architecture  can help to speed up the process of delivering sustainable designs. We do not have to reinvent things, we only have to observe the strategies of nature and incorporate them into our design processes.

Changing the perception

Innovation should not be limited to creating new things. We can say that  biomimicry architecture  implies that innovation is a new perception of old systems. Biomimicry preaches the wisdom that we need. Apart from the creation of new things it also helps us to focus on the existing systems with empathy and wisdom so as to conserve our heritage. 

Examples of Biomimicry in Architecture:

Sagrada familia.

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Architect/ Facade Consultants: Antoni Gaudí

Antoni Gaudi ‘s one of the precious legacies is The Sagrada Familia . It is one of the most ambitious projects by Gaudi. The construction of this architectural marvel started in 1882. However, it is yet planned for completion by 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death. Gaudi drew the concept of its interiors from a forest. Therefore, the structure of internal columns mimic trees and support the roof. The roof has skylights with green and gold glass to reflect light. Hence, The biomimicry in architecture here creates the visual fabric of a forest with the help of the tree-inspired forms, the glass windows, and the infused sunlight from the stained glass glazing.

The Algae House

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Architect / Facade Consultants: Arup Deutschland GmbH

Also known as The BIQ House , this unusual building located in Hamburg is Germany’s response to  biomimicry in architecture.  The structure here incorporates the living matter of microalgae into its design in a very unique manner. The focus feature here is the green-hued panels largely forming the surface of the facade. These transparent green panels house the networks of microalgae, thereby controlling the light into the interiors and also providing natural shade where needed. The Alage House is the first example of a “bioreactor facade” in the whole world.

The design has provisions to supply nutrients and CO2 to the growing algae produced within the transparent shell. Therefore, this helps to achieve a natural and cost-effective sun filter and helps in regulating the inner climate in summers. Whereas, the winters in Hamburg are pretty dry and grey with no natural light for a long period of the day. In this case, the algae stop propagating. As a result, the facade screens become transparent, allowing better-lit spaces in the interiors. Moreover, when considerate amounts of algae growth are there, it also aids the production of biogas. Biogas in turn supplies the building with necessary clean energy.

The Gherkin, London

Location: London

Architect / Facade Consultants: Sir Norman Foster

The Gherkin is Norman Foster’s most ambitious project in the genre of  biomimicry architecture.  The design here mimics the form and structure of the Venus Flower Basket Sponge. To attain stability, the exoskeleton of the structure is designed on the lines of the Sponge. Moreover, the hollow basket-shaped structure helps in the filtration of water for nutrients. The design here is also based on the concept of an open floor plan. This facilitates better resistance to winds loads and natural ventilation throughout all floors. Moreover, the structural elements of the building connect at different angles. It gives rise to a column-free interior space.

Eastgate Center, Zimbabwe

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Architect / Facade Consultants: Mick Pearce

This is probably the ultimate example of  biomimicry architecture.  The idea of The Eastgate Cente stuck Ar. Pearce while watching termites construct their nests. Taking inspiration from the insects, who use very limited resources to create ventilated mounds and permeate them with holes over the surface, Pearce chalked out the design of this building with holes on the facade that acted as the building skin.

This led to the thought process of reducing dependency on mechanical systems for ventilation and air conditioning. The Eastgate building was based on the concept of using less energy and maximizing the use of natural ventilation. As a result, the building skin absorbs warm air from the exterior during the day. The heat from the air gets absorbed and cool air is pumped during the day. At night, the heat absorbed from the warm air is used for heating. Hence, this leads to a comfortable cool, and warm macroclimate inside the building.

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• Open access
• Published: 29 November 2021

Bio-algae: a study of an interactive facade for commercial buildings in populated cities

• Walaa Hussein Hussein Hanafi 1  

Journal of Engineering and Applied Science volume  68 , Article number:  37 ( 2021 ) Cite this article

8774 Accesses

8 Citations

Metrics details

Climate change, global energy demand, and greenhouse emissions from energy (formerly CO 2 emissions from fuel combustion) have emerged as the most serious threats to humans, particularly in densely populated cities. As a result, there are calls to reconnect with nature and draw inspiration from its mechanisms as well as to use clean renewable energy resources. Thus, this paper presents a biomimicry approach—a strategy for achieving ecological balance—to biofuel using algae in a building facade, and considers a case study building in Giza city as an example of a populated city in Egypt for retrofitting its skin with a nature-inspired solution. Using mathematical calculation, energy load analysis, and interviews with interested specialists, architects, and building occupants about this technology, then compared the performance of the case study commercial building facade with the proposed algae facade for energy generate. The results indicate that electrical energy consumption can be reduced by 45 to 50%, and carbon emissions could be reduced. In addition, other benefits for the building environment and societal acceptance were revealed. The study concluded that using algae as an element of the building skin in densely populated cities as a biomimicry architecture strategy contributes to an innovative environmental approach.

Introduction

Global warming occurs as a result of the atmosphere trapping heat from the Earth and preventing it from being emitted into space. Between 1970 and 2004, industries expanded significantly, resulting in up to 70% increase in greenhouse gas emissions. CO 2 is the most prevalent of these gases, having increased by 80% during this period [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].

Greater Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most populated cities in the world. As a result of urbanization and traffic congestion, it consumes a large amount of energy, and it is ranked one of the top ten cities in the world in terms of ambient air pollution, according to a World Health Organization report [ 4 ]. The city’s topography, high-rise buildings, and narrow streets prevent stagnant air from moving. This has caused a high rate of premature death, as well as a negative impact on mental abilities and perception [ 5 ].

In addition, a built environment’s quality has a considerable effect on the psychological and organic health of users as well as the energy consumption of the building. Therefore, it is essential to achieve an acceptable level of indoor air quality and pollution, primarily CO 2 ; thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort, and comfortable internal conditions for users while considering external environmental factors such as ventilation, natural lighting, and energy [ 6 , 7 ].

Biomimicry is an excellent model for engineers and architects to follow when designing a building. Through natural processes and simulators, biological designs discover effective solutions to design problems. They are multifunctional, renewable, flexible, and adaptable. Therefore, this study proposes a method for enhancing the quality of the built environment, particularly in densely populated cities, by investing in building skin elements that apply biomimicry architecture mechanisms [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].

Research aim and methodology

The study’s objective is to develop solutions from nature to contribute to the enhancement of the built environment’s quality in densely populated cities. For this purpose, the study aims to determine the feasibility of applying alga-based building facade technology in Egypt’s densely populated cities. The study explores the following research questions.

What benefit does integrating PBR facades into commercial buildings provide?

What are the implications of integrating algae technology on environmental and climate change issues?

Is Egypt’s climate appropriate and qualified to adopt and benefit from the algae facades?

Methodology

The methodology is divided into two sections: testing of the hypothesis and addressing the research questions:

-The theoretical study (qualitative research and data analysis) consists of three components:

Study on the identification of algae and their incorporation into the building as a biomimicry architecture strategy.

Study on the benefits associated with the incorporation of this technology into architecture.

Analyzing the global response to algae technology by showcasing suggested buildings in different cities in the world, as there is only one actually built in Germany, as well as other examples of competitions, studies, and ongoing projects.

-Qualitative and quantitative approach to a pilot study and case study:

Energy consumption was determined for the building in Egypt considered for the case study and its counterpart in Germany, and the corresponding energy saving rates were calculated using mathematical equations.

In addition, interviews were conducted to collect data on microalgae cultivation, and the data from the literature have analyzed the system as well as to ascertain the degree of acceptance of and satisfaction with this technology.

By using a holistic and inductive method, an analytical form is formulated to demonstrate how the algae-based building facade conserves the environment, natural resources, human health, and energy, while also adapting to climate change.

Research limitations

The application of algae facades as a form of bio-design systems was investigated by using an example of a commercial building in a densely populated city (Cairo Mall in Giza, Egypt); further, personal interviews with targeted groups of people were conducted. However, this study has only one precedent for building applications, which is Germany’s Bio Intelligent Quotient (BIQ) apartment building [ 11 ].

Biomimicry in architectural design and planning produces living designs, obtaining the energy and water required for the facility from its location. It presents buildings made from local materials that are integrated and compatible with their environment and climate. In addition, it does not pollute the environment. Biomimicry-based architecture works in three levels, as shown in Fig. 1 [ 12 , 13 ]. This study focuses on the ecosystem level.

Application of biomimicry in architectural design

The interdisciplinary approach to using microorganisms or their products can be termed microbial biotechnology. Bioinspired climate-adaptive building skins behaving like living organisms can create an ecosystem that can provide a mutual relationship with the environment [ 14 ]. The parameters, criteria, and design problems with biomimetic building skin designs are the responsiveness of the building’s skin to natural phenomena, such as sunlight, wind, and rain, and its ability to perform vital functions, such as breathing, carbon absorption, and water consumption. These can be understood and applied through the biodesign of the building skin [ 15 ].

The building’s skin is vital in maintaining energy consumption and reducing CO 2 percentage. Therefore, it is enhanced by using bio facades, specifically algae facades, which add other features to the building’s skin, such as controlling natural lighting and thermal insulation and reducing thermal loads on the building. Algae are primary organisms living in a natural aquatic environment or an environment designed for them in a PBR, shown in Fig. 3 . Photosynthesis in algae is more effective than in other plants, and therefore, they have a higher O 2 production and CO 2 absorption capacity [ 16 , 17 ].

Owing to the PBR system’s limitations about application and usage, it is not widely applied. The only building that uses a PBR facade system, called Solar Leaf, is the BIQ apartment building (2013) in Hamburg, Germany (Fig. 2 ), which converts solar energy at 10% efficiency. The system is inefficient in comparison to a typical photovoltaic system, which converts solar energy at a rate of 15–20%. In addition, this system has limitations such as stringent control requirements for the microalgae environment, the requirement for a high glass facade, and the legal problem of microalgae cultivation on a building facade [ 18 ].

Right: BIQ apartment [ 19 , 20 ]. Left: Photobioreactor system

Although BIQ is the first and only actual real building in the world, there are many other projects as study and competition prizewinners (see Table 1 ; Figs. 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 ). Indeed, this is not an exhaustive list of such projects.

An office tower in Melbourne, Australia

Four glass towers in Hangzhou, China

An innovative ecological project in Iran

GSA office building in Los Angeles

Producing bioenergy from microalgae not only generates clean energy but also contributes to greenhouse gas mitigation and has the potential to be a carbon-neutral power source of energy. Environmentally friendly building designs also provide financial benefits in the form of reduced taxes, operating costs, and energy costs, which lead to lower life cycle costs (LCCs) and an increase in rent costs without a decrease in occupancy [ 25 ].

Methods and experiment

This study aims to demonstrate that incorporating algae-based facade technology into the skin of buildings in densely populated cities as a biomimicry strategy contributes to enhancing the built environment’s quality. For this result, the factors affecting the built environment can be categorized into two categories based on their type and measurement method, as shown in Fig. 7 .

The first category contains information about the energy consumption of buildings and the CO 2 concentration in the air, which can be determined through calculations and data inference.

The second category includes measurements of thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort and internal conditions; these relate to the sensory criteria, opinions, and the degree of acceptance of this technology by the professionalsand users and are measured through personal interviews [ 26 ].

Built environment parameters

The case study building, Cairo Mall, is a multi-story commercial building, which is an example of a building type with high-energy consumption. It is located in the hot, arid climate zone of Giza Governorate, Egypt. We chose this building because it is located in a populated city with high traffic and population density, rare green areas, and high density of buildings. This is a landmark building in the region, built around 1985; it has a conditioned floor area of 5500 m 2 and a volume of approximately 140000 m 3 . The building has a curtain wall clad with low-performance windows (Fig. 8 ). Commercial buildings require high-energy rates to operate. Because this building has a curtain wall envelope, it has large energy consumption due to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to improve the quality of the environment in its spaces.

Case study building Cairo Mall: from left to right, location (Google map), main elevation, typical plan sketch

The case study building is covered with glass facades as an innovative esthetic principle, despite the negative impact on the environment and contributes to the loss/gain of heat. This study discusses the effectiveness of the solution for facades in which the curtain wall panels are replaced by algae-based facade panels [ 27 , 28 ].

The suggested algae facade system is a bioreactor integrated between two acrylic sheets. A nutrient liquid provides the environment for algae growth. It is 150 cm wide and 300 cm high, installed northeast, northwest at the Main Street facades, and supported by aluminum frames on four sides.

The algae growth zone is an aquatic environment containing algae in addition to a set of pipes, mechanical systems, air pumps, and other water and filtration systems [ 29 ]..

The algae growth apparatus comprises intake systems for supplying CO 2 and growing algae (i.e., algae, nutrients, and medium) and discharging systems for emitting O 2 and collecting grown algae [ 30 , 31 , 32 ] (Fig. 9 ).

BIQ is the only actual building that uses the PBR facade system. Hence, in the pilot study, this building is analyzed as the primary precedent, and on the basis of this, the amount of electricity saved in the case study building is estimated.

PBR panel dimensions and details

- Note that the climate of Giza differs from that of Hamburg. The number of hours and the degree of sunshine is greater, which reflect in the heat generation rates by algae. In Germany, it is rainy throughout the year, and clouds obscure the sky about two-thirds of the day hours. Previous studies have confirmed that the increase in solar radiation and the number of daylight hours is directly proportional to the growth of algae and thus the performance of the building with algae-based facades (Table 2 ) [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].

This technology, its benefits, and the results of the study are discussed with a sample of respondents, and professionals and several stakeholders were interviewed regarding the feasibility of modifying the facades of the buildings in Giza, Egypt, with algae facades for improving the quality of the built environment.

Calculations of energy production and carbon dioxide reduction

The BIQ apartment building has a 200-m 2 area of PBRs with each unit 70 cm wide, 270 cm high, and 8 cm thick; 129 modules were installed in the southeast direction and filled with microalgae through photosynthesis. The produced biomass removes CO 2 and generates energy. The required information about the algae facade production is shown in Table 3 [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].

- From the case study building, the electricity consumption is approximately 182,500 kW/h (a summer month bill, for example), which is considered a high rate of consumption [ 44 ].

- To measure the energy efficiency of the microalgae facade, the only variable between the original building and the retrofitted building is the building energy in the window system. The remaining variables such as the specification of the opaque wall, window-to-wall ratio, air infiltration rate, and building operational schedules remain the same between the two scenarios.

- A total area of 4500 m 2 of the northeast and northwest façade and 3800 m 2 of PBRs with each unit 140 cm wide, 280 cm high, and 8 cm thick suggest installing and filling with microalgae through photosynthesis.

-By arithmetic and mathematic relations, Ɵ = (Yα/X) R , where X is the PBR area in the BIQ building, Y is the PBR area in the case study building, αis electricity converted from the PBR in the BIQ building (unit: kilowatt/hour), Ɵ is the expected electricity converted from the PBR in the case study building (unit: kilowatt/hour), and R is the constant coefficient between the climate of Hamburg and Giza). In the same way, the expected reduction of carbon dioxide emissions per year is calculated.

Interviews were conducted with practitioners, residents, and stakeholders to ascertain their perceptions and concerns about this technology of cultivating algae building skin. This interview posed the question, “What is your opinion about the feasibility of retrofitting the facades of buildings in Giza with algae facades?” Table 4 shows the sample of respondents and their composition. The interviews were conducted after showing the participants a brief video and some photos about this technology.

The study sheds light on the PBR technology of using algae in buildings, especially commercial buildings; it has multiple devices and systems to control the environmental conditions of the building, which constitute in energy consumption (electricity).

The study results indicate that, microalgae are a source of biofuel, which can be converted into electrical energy with special generators for application in building operation.

In addition, owing to the climate of the Egypt governorates, the application of this technology has high environmental advantages.

A. Mathematical calculation and analysis results

-Giza has more solar radiation than Hamburg. From the calculations for the case of Hamburg, being considered the minimum values, the converted electrical energy by the algae facades is approximately 85500 kW/h, which implies 45–50% of the electricity consumption in the building could be saved

-The algae facades are expected to reduce 100 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year which is reflected in the internal environment of the building (Fig. 10 ).

Visualization of PBR integration in a building facade

B. Interview results

-Interviews analyzed four main categories: environmental, economic, technological, and social benefits. The results of the interview in the form of statistical data are shown in Fig. 11 .

Mean values of peoples' acceptance of the PBR facade technology

Despite the efficiency of integrating PBR into facades, it only supplies about half of the electricity requirement in the case study building. As a result, additional clean energy technologies, such as photovoltaics, can be combined to maximize efficiency.

-The energy generated, CO 2 absorbed, and the cost are all directly proportional to the area of the algae facade, as shown in Fig. 12 .

Relation of the area of algae facade with energy generation, CO 2 reduction, and cost

Project illustration (current situation-curtain facade and Proposed facade)

-This technology is costly, which includes the cost of construction, operation, and the high amount of energy required to mix nutrients and maintain algae in suspension [ 45 , 46 ]. The PBR cost in BIQ is approximately €5 million [ 47 ]. However, the technology is cost-effective in the long run due to its benefits.

-When the responses of designers, architects, engineers, and the general public are compared, the majority of people’s opinions on the quality of algae facades are consistent with those of the designers and architects. Approximately 20% of people had no idea about this new technology, but responded positively to using it. Although others had their concerns, more than 50% of those polled saw algae facades as efficient in terms of energy, esthetics, and pollution reduction. Table 5 summarizes the issues raised in the current and proposed situations, with discussion elements grouped together.

-It is obvious that the proposed technology can be used for other types of buildings in Egypt with high-energy consumption, such as office buildings and laboratories. In addition, it can be integrated into the urban environment.

-There is a need to integrate the efforts and diverse disciplines of concerned authorities and investors to develop an Egyptian model applicable to buildings to satisfy the growing demand for new, environmentally sustainable cities.

The findings in this study indicate that the use of algae technology in building facades as one of the strategies of biomimicry design contributes to increasing the efficiency of the built environment, which is reflected in user productivity. Algae facades also help to reduce the energy used in building operations as well as the energy used to control the environmental conditions inside the building. It can provide up to 50% or more of the building’s energy consumption. Therefore, the research hypothesis is confirmed.

-Using the algae facade to generate renewable energy plays an important role in environmental preservation and contributes to the production of clean energy to address the non-renewable energy crisis. The production of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide by the algae facades improve the internal and external environment of the building and help to reduce environmental pollution.

- The case study analysis and interviews with specialists, architects, and the general public indicated a strong preference toward adopting this new concept in design, with 50 to 60% of opinions supporting the aspect of reducing pollution, considering the diseases caused by environmental pollution in highly polluted cities, overcrowded places, and country capitals. Some were in favor of the idea because they desired modern and innovative technologies in the buildings, which would be reflected in the architectural aspects of the city in a way that kept up with technology. Some, particularly investors and owners, were concerned about the high cost. However, with the emphasis on the long-term benefits, these concerns could be alleviated. About 20–25% respondents expressed concern about the maintenance and investment required to adopt this technology.

-Algae facades can be used on a variety of public buildings, including hospitals, office buildings, hotels, and others, particularly those that require a significant amount of energy to operate. Through the design of interactive facades, this gives a different and distinctive esthetic and deviates from the traditional forms of building facades.

-Through algae facades, it is possible to achieve the world, strategies, and trends toward zero-energy buildings, environmental preservation, and improved quality of life, despite the fact that biomimicry in general, and bio-algae interactive technology in particular, are still a relatively new field. With additional research, designers will gain a greater understanding of it, and the opportunity to apply what they have learned from nature to save the planet.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Abbreviations

Photobioreactors

Bio Intelligent Quotient apartment building

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Hanafi, W.H.H. Bio-algae: a study of an interactive facade for commercial buildings in populated cities. J. Eng. Appl. Sci. 68 , 37 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-021-00037-5

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• Populated cities
• Inspirational facade
• Biomimetic building envelope

BIQ House: World's first building powered by algae

An apartment building powered by algae bio-reactors will open in Hamburg, Germany, at the end of this month.

There's long been speculation and research about algae's potential as a power source. The fast-growing plants waste three-quarters of the sunlight they absorb, so what if that energy could be captured and converted?

That's the premise behind BIQ House , designed by architectural firm Splitterwerk . It's a new algae-powered building that's opening on April 25 as part of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg, Germany. The building's east and south facades are covered in a system of louvres. Filled with microalgae, these louvres form 200 square meters of panels to power the building.

Each of the 129 approximately 8x2-foot panels form a sort of greenhouse environment for the algae, continuously supplied with liquid nutrients and carbon dioxide via a circuit through the facades. With the addition of sunlight, the algae is expected to proliferate, performing a secondary function of providing shade for the building.

When the algae has grown, it will be harvested and transferred to BIQ's technical room. There, it will be fermented and converted into the biogas that will power the apartment building, producing up to five times as much biomass per hectare as land plants.

Splitterwerk is hoping the building will be able to run on nothing but renewable energy. As the first of its kind, BIQ House will also be a subject of study into how well algae can realistically serve as a source of energy.

(Source: Crave Australia via Inhabitat )

Famous structures designed using biomimicry

In the motion picture of the universe featuring nature and architecture as lead roles, we contrived the term Biomimicry , where Bio stands for nature and mimicry is to mimic or replicate. Biomimicry architecture is the multidisciplinary approach for translating nature into architecture. It is beyond the talk of inspiring designs from nature to relish their aesthetics, but to understand the specific and adaptive natural processes used by nature to ensure their resilience and apply them in architectural construction and design. Nature reacts to threats and sustains naturally and by instincts. But the question is, why can’t humans apply those principles? For this, Prof. Anil Laul quotes in his book ‘Green is Red’, that Sustainability is common sense, not a thing to learn. Here in this article, I will quote a few famous structures designed using Biomimicry in Architecture.

1. Lotus Temple , India | Famous structures

Apart from the holy gesture of The Baha’i Community by uniting people of all religions under one roof for worship, the structure of the Lotus temple itself is an extravagant celebration of nature replication and its success. Every element of the Lotus temple justifies symmetry and balance similar to a lotus flower with 27 free-standing petals with marble cladding arranged in clusters of three to create inner sides. A sense of rhythm is designed by placing a cluster of 3 petals and a pond repeated on all sides. The initial petals with approximately 4 m of height act as an intimidating human scale entrance to the overall monumental inner core where the outer covering has the inner hall and the inner petals house the main prayer hall. With a capacity of 1200 at a time, the inner prayer hall also incorporates passive cooling systems for sustainable functioning. 

2. The Helix Bridge , Singapore

The bridge sits over the Bayfront of Marina Bay City in Singapore, designed as a delicacy to cater the pedestrian access inspired by the multidimensional structure of human DNA holding a considerable place in the list of designs in Biomimicry architecture. The Helix bridge is by Architect 61, conceptualized as the delicate structure of DNA and replicated with stainless steel structure to introduce a light design other than the vehicular bridges .

3. Elytra Filament Pavilion, London | Famous structures

The elytra filament pavilion is in London, successfully gracing the surroundings in Victoria and Albert Museum. The pavilion is an example of aesthetics and dynamic spatial qualities of structural engineering, architectural design, and environmental principles coming together to unfold this one of its kind cellular canopy-like structure. The design inspiration is from the effectiveness and resourcefulness of nature and how biological fiber systems can be used in architecture. The transparent and adaptive canopy installation is similar to the lightweight fibrous structure of forewing shells of flying beetles known as Elytra, composed of 40 cells shaped hexagonal influenced by environmental and technological manipulations.

4. Sinosteel International , China

The Sinosteel International Plaza, designed by MAD Architects was initially a challenge to introduce a lightweight structure for building facade to be constructed with minimum material wastage and passive regulation to resist heat but allow light to get in. The hexagonal facade of the building is inspired by the biological principles of Honeycomb and its lightweight logistics. Honey Bees construct their hexagonal nest structure out of wax to make a resilient living. A similar strategy is adopted in the plaza to regulate temperature by varying window sizes arranged in irregular, naturally occurring patterns like multiplication of cells, generating life in buildings by the changing dynamics from different perspectives. The random appearing facade pattern is the strategic placement of varying sizes of openings considering the solar direction and airflow across the site to minimize heat loss and gain in winters and summers respectively. The design is a combination of biological features and a futuristic design approach.

5. BIQ Building, Germany

BIQ stands for bio-clever quotient, that is BIQ Building which sets the mark for bioreactor facade in the architecture realm. The building has an integrated algae-based system of photobioreactors to generate biomass and heat as renewable energy resources. The interiors of the building are concrete cells with the facade which bring nature inside and embodies it as well. The facade system with microalgae is cultivated in flat glass panels of bioreactors to generate heat with additional benefits of dynamic shading, noise barrier, and thermal insulation. The building is initiated as an example of natural products in the construction industry to eliminate building issues and elevate its overall performance with the regenerative approach.

6. The Seed Cathedral | Famous structures

The winning project of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the Seed cathedral designed by Heatherwick Studios in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, complements the fragmented nature of weather conceived in architectural design. The structure holds a concept of remembrance as the key, to draw their attention that people only remember simple things related to objects adaptive to their surroundings and environment . With seeds encased in the fiber optic rods supported with metal rods inside the wood frame base of the structure to justify the transparent and dynamic nature of nature. In the daytime, the cluster of almost 60,000 slender fiber optic rods each 7.5m in length, helps draw light in the interiors whereas at night time the light source inside each rod illuminates the structure and its surroundings. This panoramic therapy of design moves and breathes with every wind flow and surrenders to its surroundings that it’s a smaller unit of it. 

References: 

• Anon., 2008. dezeen. [Online]

Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2008/07/30/sinosteel-international-plaza-by-mad/

[Accessed 03 2022].

• Anon., n.d. [Online]

Available at: https://architecturever.com/2019/04/07/lotus-temple-new-delhi-its-bio-mimetic-history-biomimicry/

Available at: https://issuu.com/sahilvirmani07/docs/biomimicry

• Anon., n.d. Architonic. [Online]

Available at: https://www.architonic.com/en/project/arup-biq-house/5101636

• Anon., n.d. DIVISARE. [Online]

Available at: https://divisare.com/projects/319009-achim-menges-naaro-elytra-filament-pavilion

• Ansari, K., 2020. Archestudy. [Online]

Available at: https://archestudy.com/10-examples-of-amalgamation-of-nature-and-architecture/

• Hiran, P., n.d. re-thinkingthefuture. [Online]

Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/case-studies/a4020-helix-bridge-by-architects-61-inspired-by-dna/

• Jordana, S., 2010. Archdaily. [Online]

Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/58591/uk-pavilion-for-shanghai-world-expo-2010-heatherwick-studio

Rahat Khanna is an architectural student by profession & a serendipitous explorer by a person. She accompanies architecture and writings as a medium to research, evaluate, analyze and contemplate minute details in architectural reign for sustainably intelligent solutions. Her passion for words came from reading books and made her resourceful.

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Arguably, the aesthetic design of the BIQ house is not an exciting piece of architecture to observe. The bright green façade with bold white and red lines give the building a childish ‘building block’ look. However, once an understanding of the buildings’ functions and its benefits is achieved , a case could be made that the functioning out-weighs that of the appearance.  The building concept came to light in 2009 when the IBA Hamburg created a competition with the strap line ‘Smart Material Houses’. The brief asked entrants to use smart materials, defined as “systems and products that behave dynamically, unlike conventional building materials, which are static”. The initial concept combined not only the residential space and the bioreactor façade but also that of a ‘greenhouse’ garden effect wedged between the two. From the model produced to the sections and elevations, the overall appearance is highly desirable, more than that of the finished build. Having individual indoor garden spaces has a two-fold advantage; it is suitable for any time of year, and the bioreactor façade adds privacy giving the effect of a private garden of Eden.

The finished build, predominantly showing the $6.68 million (£4,385,504.50 correct to today’s exchange rates) façade created by one hundred and twenty nine flat glass panels provides renewable energy for the current residents.  The cost that is extracted back, in terms of cost per kilowatt-hour produced by the algae bioreactors, would be seven times as much as solar power and fourteen times as much as crude oil (The New York Times).

David J.Bayless, Loehr Professor of mechanical engineering at Ohio University, is a specialist in algae production, and states “People are leery [wary] of algea because it’s a relatively unknown technology”. However, he believes that “Anything like this that makes people say, ‘You know, hey, maybe it will work,’ is good”. In other words, if people are open to advancements in architectural technology then there is hope for progress.

Due to this being a relatively unknown technology, it is classed as ‘risky’ and it is therefore unlikely that any major investment will be made until the designers and scientists can understand all the factors involved. It would take less than one drop of algae containing a bacteria to kill all the algae within these panels for the entire building to be left without power or heating for potentially months or years whilst the panels are removed, emptied and put through a rigorous cleaning procedure to ensure the same would not happen again.

As stated by Rainer Muller, Press Officer of the International Building Exhibition, “Using algae as an in-house energy source might sound futuristic now, but probably will be established in ten years”. In the UK, the government has set legislation in motion to “require all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016” (Department for Communities and Local Government – Policy paper). Financially, spending approximately £34,606 on separate panelling (not including installation, start-up and maintenance costs), is an unlikely source of renewable energy particularly during a time of austerity. However, similar views on solar panelling were evident years ago, yet once the technology can be mass produced the cost inevitably comes down. 

Grow Energy Limited was founded in 2011 as one of the few companies to begin experimenting with algae bioenergy. They now produce a system called Verde, a carbon neutral technology to produce energy. They have proven that this type of renewable technology is much more efficient and cost effective in comparison to solar. It is stated on their website that “information is based upon various experiments and assumptions Grow Energy’s management have made and believe to be reasonable”.  The point being is that algae bioenergy is still in its infancy and the true strengths and pitfalls are yet to be seen.  This is reflected in Grow Energy’s most recent concept for a block of high rise flats – the company details a whole theory on how the building can be self-sufficient. Although this can seem real and practical, in essence it is simply a concept in its current form. 

Overall it is a positive outlook to take from this research. Companies are experimenting with algae and what appears to be purely conceptual now will become reality in the future. Designers and scientists have not settled for relying on solar power or turbine technology but are pushing new

Biq house - technological breakthrough / finacial meltdown.

Museum of 21st Century Design

Image credit: Internationale Bauausstellung Hamburg

conventional building materials (including cement and steel) and a “SolarLeaf façade” composed of algal biomass and solar panels

Ongoing research into the labor conditions for those designing, building, and maintaining the structure.

Arup, Strategic Science Consult of Germany, Splitterwerk Architects, and Colt International

Shelter for dwelling

Limited. High upfront building costs (estimates total expenses of $2,500 per square meter). Ongoing research into the cost of rent and maintenance; renters pay no heating costs.

Ongoing research into the impact of this structure on social hierarchies.

Ongoing research into the selection of building materials, the building process, and plans for the materials after the building is no longer used.

Do you have something to add? Let us know! [email protected]  

Design Intentions 

For Hamburg's 2013 International Building Exhibition, the design consultancy and engineering firm Arup worked with Strategic Science Consult of Germany, Splitterwerk Architects, and Colt International to develop a traditional apartment building covered in an unconventional green skin. That green skin comprises algae and the mechanical systems necessary to convert and integrate their biorhythms into the energy system of the building. Together, the Bio Intelligent Quotient House (BIQ House) offers fifteen apartment units across five stories that demonstrate new ways of living with renewable energy. “Biohybrid” buildings, including the BIQ House, while relatively unique, offer a  response to the growing problem of high-energy consumption and air pollution.​

Funding support for the project came from the German Government’s “ZukunftBau” research initiative.

Façade Technology

That green façade contains 129 flat panel glass apparatuses for growing organisms under controlled conditions (these apparatuses are often called bioreactors) measuring 2,5m x 0,7m on four of the five stories on the southwest and southeast sides. These panels are filled with water and pumped with liquid nutrients and carbon dioxide that allow algae to grow without rotting. Cultivating the algae produces biomass (a material used as fuel to produce electricity or heat) that supplies the structure with electricity via a fully automated energy management center where, according to Architonic , solar thermal heat and algae are harvested in a closed-loop to be stored and used to generate hot water. ​

You can find a more technical explanation and scientific studies about this growing and harvesting on the Strategic Science Consult of Germany website.

Holistic Approach to Energy

The apartment building uses a “holistic” approach to energy production; it integrates various renewable sources to generate energy, including solar, geothermal, a condensing boiler, and the production of biomass via the algae. The panels in the green façade collect the light that isn’t used by the algae, which is then converted into heat using heat exchangers. This heat can generate hot water or be stored in the building’s underground geothermal system. This second-skin system also integrates dynamic shading, thermal insulation, and noise reduction. The height of the algae within each panel can be changed to help with daylighting or provide shading from the direct sun. All of this means the building residents require far fewer fossil fuels. 

Bio Intelligent Quotient House and M21D

The BIQ House inspires hope in the future of new building practices and approaches to energy production and use. M21D eagerly searches out how well the building operates nearly ten years after construction and how it has inspired other studies on algae as an alternative source of renewable energy for buildings.

BIQ Haus , Architonic

BIQ Haus , Internationale Bauausstellung Hamburg

Die Technik funktioniert, der Härtetest steht noch aus , Deutschlandfunk

Exploration of biogenic substances , Strategic Science Consult GmbH

First Algae-Powered Building Presents Unique Renewable Energy Solution , Engineering.com

This Algae-Powered Building Actually Works , Fast Company

When Algae on the Exterior Is a Good Thing , The New York Times