Bio Protopia

Published: 06 Jun 2023

ISBN: 978-3-0356-2579-0e-book

Designing with living materials: thoughts on the paradigm shift and an overview of the state of research

What is “Bioprotopia”? It is a vision of a world with buildings that grow, self-heal and create virtuous cycles where waste from one process feeds another. A vision where the spaces that we inhabit are attuned to both the human occupants and non-human microbial ecologies. 

This is the first book to ground the concept of biotechnology in the built environment in tangible, large-scale prototypes. With rich visuals, it presents materials and processes that bring to life the many possibilities of shaping the built environment with micro-organisms. In addition to considering scientific and technical challenges, the book also discusses the need for a shift in thinking and culture to realise this vision. 

• First comprehensive publication on the state of research 
• Demonstrates the use of renewable materials in design 
• Illustrative, scientific documentation for design professions and researchers

Author / Editor information

Editors

Ruth Morrow is Professor of Biological Architecture at Newcastle University, UK. Ruth’s research is largely practice based and encompasses both the material, the social and the ecological. It is driven by an inclusive, feminist ethos and uses tactics of creativity, collaboration and reflection through writing. She has extensive experience in developing material ideas from concept through to commercialisation, resulting in international funding, design awards, exhibitions, chapters, papers, books and citations. She is currently co-head of the interdisciplinary School X at Newcastle University, where she also co-leads the research theme, Responsible Interactions, in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment. 

Ben Bridgens is Professor of Regenerative Architecture at Newcastle University, UK, and a founding member of the HBBE. Ben works at the interface of structural engineering, architecture and design, critically examining ‘sustainable’ (bio)technologies and exploring the potential of reimagining low-tech, traditional approaches for the construction and operation of the built environment. Ben led the design of an experimental house on the Newcastle University campus called ‘The OME’ and co-leads the HBBE’s ‘Responsible Interactions’ theme. 

Louise Mackenzie is an artist, curator and research associate at HBBE at Newcastle University. Her practice explores human relationships with the non-human world and her research has developed a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to critical engagement with scientific practice. Louise holds a PhD in Fine Art from BxNU Institute of Contemporary Art and is a Director of ASCUS Art and Science in Edinburgh. She is co-founder and curator of an interdisciplinary cinema project, Black Box, and co-founder of Alive Together, an international community for research in human/animal relationships. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including ZKM (Germany), BALTIC CCA (UK) and National Library of Madrid (Spain). 

Contributing Authors

Armand Agraviador, Mahab Aljannat, John Allan , Thora Arnardottir , Emily Birch, Gary Black , Karolina Bloch, Rajesh Bommareddy, Ben Bridgens, Assia Crawford , Martyn Dade-Robertson, Beatriz Delgado-Corrales, Rory Doherty, Elise Elsacker, Elizabeth Gilligan, Katie Gilmour, Aileen Hoenerloh, Paul James , Romy Kaiser, Shafeer Kalathil, Louise Mackenzie, Pippa McLeod-Brown, Kaajal Modi , Ruth Morrow, Derrick Mwebaza, Sree Nanukuttan, Paula Nerlich, Dilan Ozkan, Oliver Perry, Peg Rawes , Jane Scott, Angela Sherry, Magdalini Theodoridou, Ahmet Topcu, Meng Zhang

More information about the editors and table of content of the book can be found here