Semper’s ‘Stoffwechsel’ as a conceptual framework to assess emergent formal languages in bio-integrated architecture

This research explores Gottfried Semper’s concept of 'Stoffwechsel' as a framework for assessing emergent formal languages in bio-integrated design. Historically, Semper described how construction techniques and tectonic expressions persist when transitioning between materials, a phenomenon manifesting as ornament. Revisiting this theory is increasingly relevant in the face of climate change, particularly in discussions on material transformation and sustainability. At the University of Innsbruck, this study investigates how bio-integrated design diverges from biomimicry and bio-inspired approaches. It examines how emerging materials—mycelium, bioplastics, cementitious materials, and ceramics—are incorporated into architectural design, categorising their morphological expressions as extrusions, sheets, and bricks. The research aims to identify key instances of metamorphism, where traditional material features and crafting techniques persist in contemporary bio-integrated applications. Despite advancements in computational design and fabrication, bio-integrated materials are often treated as inert rather than living, overlooking their inherent morphological constraints. This study documents taxonomies of bio-integrated design experiments and highlights their links to established construction practices. Findings suggest that experimental fabrication techniques in bio-integrated design are influenced by traditional architectural methods, resulting in novel ornamental effects and morphological shifts. By bridging bio-integrated design, digital fabrication, and historical architectural theories, this research enhances accessibility to the field and contributes to understanding the interplay between material heritage and contemporary design methodologies. It underscores the potential of bio-integrated materials to redefine architectural ornamentation and construction processes in response to environmental challenges.