Design with Dynamics of Bio-materials: Design, Make and Tend Bacterial Cellulose Integrated Architecture

Amidst rapid urban development and alarming biodiversity loss in the context of the Anthropocene, a paradigm shift towards bio-integrated design is redefining the use of materials in building environments. This transition diverts from resource-intensive materials towards regenerative and biodegradable alternatives, fostering environmentally responsive and adaptive architecture. The emergence of biomaterials in architecture has sparked innovative and sustainable solutions that challenge the traditional building lifecycle, which currently accounts for almost 30% of the world’s total carbon footprint [Camarasa, 2023], contributing largely to energy consumption, non-degradable waste and ecological degradation. Biopolymer-based materials have arisen as sustainable and innovative alternatives. Synthesised by bacteria, Bacterial Cellulose (BC) is a natural biopolymer found in plants with self-healing properties of particular interest as a building material due to its high purity, tensile strength, and biodegradability [Dritsas et. al., 2020, Wang et al., 2019]. This process is driven for material fabrication by cultivating a composite BC pulp [Hoenerloh et al., 2024] that integrates living microbes with natural and organic materials, such as hay and sawdust, resulting in a versatile material. BC composites react differently to varying humid and dry conditions in the environment, reflected in their mechanical performance and durability. This research advances a computational framework that explores environmental-driven design with properties of BC.