CyanoformBIODESIGN
SPECULATIVE
SUSTAINABILITY

AN EXPLORATION OF DESIGN WITH LIVING MATERIALS

CYANOFORM

A living composite designed to be used as a material which is ‘actively’ sustainable, meaning it continues to contribute positive effects to the environment throughout its product life cycle.

Cyanoform is a living material and substrate combination which converts CO2 into Oxygen. It is a living air purifier, surpassing plants in its maintainance [slow growing, needs little light, needs very little nutrients] and its efficacy, having a higher concentration of chloroplasts and a greater surface area, making it considerably more effective.



   

DESIGNING A CO-CULTURE

To support the successful growth of cyanobacteria, a co-culture is neccessary, making it’s ecosystem more robust [by taking up bioavailability, preventing opportunistic bacteria from doing so]. 

The most successful co-culture tested was a combination of moss grown over a PLA plastic structure, threaded with cotton scaffolding imbibed with cyanobacteria [Oscillatoria]. Different structural materials, supporting organisms and strains of cyanobacteria / other photosynthetic lifeforms were tested. 

TOMORROW’S APPLICATIONS

Cyanoform is not bound by its shape, it can take many forms and styles, making it a versatile building material. It could be used architecturally in civic spaces, or in enclosed areas with high footfall such as the Tube system. Cyanoform may be an effective solution whereas retrofitting ventilation systems would be costly and energy intensive.