Bioprotopia - Designing the Built 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 a 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 bring to life the many possibilities of shaping the built environment with micro-organisms. In addition to considering scientific and technical challenges, the book also discusses the need for a shift in thinking and culture to realise this vision.

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