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VOLUME 1: Growing Between The Cracks
A MICROBIAL METROPOLIS
Laura Maria Gonzalez
The design of our built environment calls for a more inclusive approach, one that acknowledges all inhabitants, even the smallest of participants: bacteria. My recent work has focused on the extraordinary capabilities of these microorganisms, such as their potential to produce cement-like materials. This discovery not only offers a sustainable alternative to traditional, carbon-intensive cement but also marks the beginning of an exploration into their vast capabilities.
To create bacterial biocement, specific bacteria are introduced into sand and enhanced with nutrients. The combination enables the bacteria to produce crystals that bind the sand particles together to form a solid structure in about a week. Remarkably, as long as the bacteria remain nourished and active, the material keeps strengthening, signaling a significant shift from static to living construction materials.
Beyond creating robust materials, bacteria have the ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment by changing color. This capability can offer critical feedback on the health of our surroundings, including the quality of water, air, and soil. Therefore, integrating living bacteria into our building materials not only leads to stronger structures but also positions us as better stewards of the environment. It suggests a future where buildings are living entities that actively participate in environmental monitoring and repair.
This vision of a microbial metropolis fundamentally reimagines our interaction with the built environment. It depicts a world where buildings and cities are not just built but grown and nurtured, evolving in harmony with us. It foresees a future where architecture and ecology intersect, fostering spaces that are sustainable, responsive, and alive. In this future, our role extends beyond being designers and builders; we become caretakers, intricately integrating with the smallest yet crucial elements of our natural world.
01: 'Microbes Make Mountains' - Laura Maria Gonzalez
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