Biomaterial Tending: Sensing and Repairing Bio-integrated Architecture

The inevitable impact of climatic and environmental factors on the ageing of buildings and materials has fundamentally challenged the longstanding architectural pursuit of permanence. Since the late 20th century, experts have increasingly focused on the implications of climate change for architectural heritage (Rowland, 1996). Consequently, the integrity of architectural interventions—particularly adaptive restoration (Sardella et al., 2020; Daly et al., 2021) and renovation—has emerged as a critical paradigm shift within the discipline. However, whether relying on traditional construction techniques or energy-intensive conventional materials, the resultant environmental and economic challenges have simultaneously introduced significant constraints (Daly et al., 2021). In response, the use of biomaterials as sustainable alternatives, also engages new ways of thinking into how we might reframe building ageing as a more positive, ecological process. While the inherent biological capacities for growth, self-healing, and responsiveness present transformative potential, they simultaneously pose critical challenges in terms of management, maintenance, and long-term stewardship. Among these, mycelium materials represent a paradigm shift from material fabrication to material cultivation（Almpani-Lekka et al. 2021). However, their degradability necessitates a regenerative and environmentally responsive approach to design and maintenance, leading us to propose the concept of ‘biomaterial tending’ -- a cyclical approach requires constant monitoring and analysis, to support tending and repairing strategies, necessitating the use of advanced digital tools.