Living architecture, in-home algae farms on display in Venice

In Italy, an architecture exhibition is displaying how in-home algae cultivation can be used to both purify air and provide food. Bit.Bio.Bot, designed by London’s EcoLogicStudio, consists of algae bioreactor sheets and a vertical garden. The studio, which says algae’s efficient metabolism gives it a “unique biological intelligence,”  believes that algae can be used as building cladding that functions as living air purifiers as well as a source of protein for occupants. The algae used by EcoLogicStudio —Spirulina platensis and Chlorella—are already used in nutritional supplements. 

The exhibit is currently ongoing at the Venice Architecture Biennale, where EcoLogicStudio co-founder Marco Poletto hopes to be able to soon provide algae-based protein tastings to the public, pending the suspension of COVID-safety measures.  “The taste of spirulina is intense and by nature a bit salty,” Poletto tells dezeen.com. “We worked with chefs to develop gels that could enhance the taste of spirulina.” Venice Architecture Biennale runs through November 21.