CoDesigning Microalgae with Brazilian Cobogós : towards New Vital Materiality in Architecture

Résumé :

The use of algae biomass is one of the best energy sources that can be converted into bioenergy by supplying CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Building is a machine of energy consumption, there is a progress on design explorations of algae building façade system based on the idea of utilized bio-chemical process of photosynthesis for the design of energy efficient buildings. But the integration of algae to architectural materiality encounters some challenges. There are a few proposals of algae façade system designs but it particularly needs more geometrical varied explorations and manufacturing methods and techniques in order to fit better architectural scale, function, social and cultural considerations. Moreover, algae colony limits visibility, not being fully transparent, thus the algae façade panel system does not allow natural light to enter in the interior of the building because of the density of the algae liquid mass. ‘Natural light’ is an essential element in architectural design considerations enhancing both aesthetic and functional excellence to a healthier indoor environment. Cobogós are architectural elements used in Brazilian modernist architecture. Cobogó is a visual permeability - solar control element that allows the entrance of sunlight for lighting and thermal comfort used in construction openings. It is one of passive building façade design strategies in vernacular architecture. Today, with climate changes and other environmental challenges, active or dynamic façades co-designing with living organisms are needed to compensate the passive ones.

With the interdisciplinary collaboration between architect, artist/designer and microbiologist, in this research work, we propose to study microalgae strains and description to understand better the parameters of microalgae growing condition in order to identify better algae building façade design specifications. The microalgae strains and the culture methods that we study are from the collection of The National Museum of Natural History of Paris. We will study and observe important criteria of algae bioreactor system so that it can integrate with traditional Brazilian cobogó building façade design as a living materiality. Finally, we also demonstrate the design of varied geometrical complex blending with traditional latticework of cobogó for a prefabricated modular façade to support better algae reproduction and life process. Thus, the living façade prototype will achieve both aesthetic and functional excellence, emerging biological materiality into the unique character of Brazilian architecture.