Biodesign Approaches for Photosynthetic Microbial Applications in Architecture

Abstract

As architecture engages with regenerative and circular systems, photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and microalgae are emerging as agents of biotechnological transformation. Microbial biocementation offers a pathway to couple carbon fixation with biological mineral formation, providing an alternative to carbon-intensive construction. However, translating laboratory-scale advances into architectural practice remains constrained by challenges of scale, long-term durability, environmental robustness, and fabrication integration. This paper presents three studies investigating biodesign approaches for implementing photosynthetic living materials in architecture on the formulation, biofabrication, and infrastructural scale. The first proposes a material workflow that supports long-term microbial viability by developing tailored formulations and encapsulation strategies. The second establishes a design-led fabrication workflow with microbe-based materials. The third examines on-site cultivation under variable environmental conditions and introduces a concept of “living building material agriculture” for industry-oriented cultivation. Collectively, these approaches bridge laboratory biology and architectural production toward a scalable framework for photosynthetically mediated construction systems.