Bioprotopia: Designing Environment with Living Organisms

Designing with living materials: thoughts on the paradigm shift and an overview of the state of research

What is “Bioprotopia”? It is the vision of a world with buildings that grow, self-heal and create virtuous cycles where waste from one process feeds another. A vision where the spaces that we inhabit are attuned to both the human occupants and non-human microbial ecologies.

This is the first book to ground the concept of biotechnology in the built environment in tangible, large-scale prototypes. With rich visuals, it presents materials and processes that exploit the many possibilities of shaping the built environment with micro-organisms. At the same time, scientific and technical challenges are discussed, pointing to the need for a shift in thinking and culture to ensure progress.

• First comprehensive publication on the state of research
• Demonstrates the use of renewable materials in design
• Illustrative, scientific documentation for design professions and researchers

Ruth Morrow, Professorin für Biological Architecture, Newcastle University
Ben Bridgens, Dozent für Architectural Technology, Newcastle University
Louise Mackenzie, Künstlerin, Kuratorin und Wissenschaftlerin, Newcastle University

Ruth Morrow, professor of biological architecture, Newcastle University
Ben Bridgens, senior lecturer in architectural technology, Newcastle University
Louise Mackenzie, artist, curator and researcher, Newcastle University