WaterLilly 3.17 prototype ready for testing
The prototype of the brand new WaterLilly 3.17, a photobioreactor for microalage indoor farming is ready, and testing is beginning. We plan to solve the major hydraulic and electronic issues in the next few weeks and have the first spirulina harvesting before Xmas :) more info here!
WaterLilly 3.17 prototype fabrication kick off
We are so glad to announce the kick off of the fabrication phase of our new architectural photobioreactor: the WaterLilly 3.17. Check here for more info. WaterLilly 3.17 Architectural photobioreactor for spirulina Working since 2011 on the idea of introducing microalgae technology into architecture, we met a lot of potentials investors, and we realized that … Continue reading
Sammy P. in Berlin
Sammy P., the photosynthetic wall prototype designed and fabricated by IED Torino students of the Master in Smart Buildings and Sustainable Design, will be on show in the exhibit Human Factor – Endless Prototyping organized by Ars Electronica at Drive Volkswagen Forum in Berlin. Opening tonight, it will be on until the 27th of August 2016. … Continue reading
Our Algae go East on Domus China
May 2015 edition of Domus China n. 97 features a great 3 full spreads on our WaterLilly universe, including the study for a vertcial algae farm developped last year, and the excerpts of a conversation between Jan Wurm (Arup), Mario Tredici (Florence University), and Cesare Griffa. A part from our contribution, it is definitely a very … Continue reading
MiniLilly PCB
In the process of optimization of the MiniLilly, we designed a brand new PCB to be used as an Arduino shield to connect and control all the sensors and the RGB lighting system. PCB Design: Matteo Amela
LillyBot flies to Dublin
From May Day to the 19th of July, LillyBot 2.0 will be at the Science Gallery in Dublin in the exhibit Home/Sick – post domestic bliss. HOME\SICK: POST-DOMESTIC BLISS explores how our homes might be reconfigured and reimagined as centres of connection in spite of emigration, of intimacy in spite of digital distraction, of food and … Continue reading
Vertical Algae Farm 2014
Last year, we were involved in the design and development of a vertical algae facade for Expo 2015 in Milan. Based on our WaterLilly 2.0, the system was designed to wrap the Future Food District pavilion curated by Carlo Ratti Associati and MIT Senseable City Lab. It was a facade of 75 x 18 m, approximately … Continue reading
Federico’s BIOCLAD
The last September, Federico Borello’s project BIOCLAD has been presented for Final Graduation at the Politecnico di Torino. Federico graduated with honors and the project has been awarded with publication among the school’s best Final Thesis. The thesis is part of a body of work that Cesare Griffa and Roberto Giordano are building on the theme … Continue reading
ALGAETECTURE | EXPO 2015 PREVIEW: Algae systems to design and feed the city
Milan, 7th April 2014 – Algae is the seemingly unlikely term that is being discussed at the heart of EXPO Milano 2015. As part of the Future Food District project, being developed by Carlo Ratti Associati at the central crossroads of the EXPO site, the pavilions’ façades and canopy utilize new systems of micro-algae, designed … Continue reading
Why microalgae biotechnology is important in architecture?
Cyanobacteria (the procaryotic microalgae) are believed to be among the first living organisms that appeared on Earth about 3.5 billion years ago. At that time the atmosphere was composed mainly by nitrogen and carbon dioxide, no oxygen. Through their photosynthetic activity, micro-algae are considered responsible of the Oxygen Catastrophe (Great Oxygenation Event), approximately 2.4 billion … Continue reading
Expo 2015 – Future Food District
We are working as consultants for Carlo Ratti Associati in the project of the Future Food District at Expo 2015 in Milan to develop a Vertical Algae Farm and a Bio Energy Lab to fix CO2, naturally filter air and water, and produce energy out of algal biomass and food waste. More info on the … Continue reading
cg @ Technion
On January 13th, cg delivered a private lecture titled “Smart creatures: bio-hacking in architecture” to the Technion Israel Institute of Technology – Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning Faculty on his recent work.
algae lab development
In the last few months we’ve been working hard with algae. New experiments include: – setting up of self-sufficient systems with living animals – refining growing and harvesting techniques – building a micro-algae library – optimizing feeding solutions – design of vertical systems for façade wrapping We are working with Carlo Ratti’s team to set up … Continue reading
featured on wired italia
CG features with WaterLilly on the story “Le facce della genialità. Storie di maker italiani” (txt by Lorenzo Mannella, photo by Mattia Balsamini) on the November 2013 issue of Wired Italia. The shooting took place in Rome during the MakerFaire last October. Awesome ;)
cg interview about algae on dutch television (vpro)
During the Dutch Design Week, I’ve been interviewed by VPRO about possible applications of algal technology in design and architecture. funny enough… cg
Lilly-bot @ Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven
It’s an intense fall! After the great Maker Faire Rome, we will be on stage again at Now Future – Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven 19-27 October. If you’re around join us at the Klokgebouw exhibition, hal 2, position no: 21. We will be exhibiting the brand new member of the WaterLilly family, Lilly-bot, developed with the support of … Continue reading
@ MakerFaire Rome!
Only 12 hours to the first European MakerFaire in Rome… we will be there presenting the brand new components of the WaterLilly family: DemoLilly 2013, and WaterLilly_Starter_Kit 2013! Have a preview at the WaterLilly pages, and if you’re around, come to the Faire and join us to grab one of the micro-algae pipettes we are distributing … Continue reading
Algae Lettering
Recipe for doing Algae Lettering: make a Sushi Seabreeze Salad by combining together seaweed, agar, black fungus, sesame, seed oil, red chili pepper, sesame seeds, lemon juice: or buy one ready made. Prepare a white background as photo set, combine algae to form letters and numbers and shoot them one by one. Or just use … Continue reading
Algae and the making of a photobioreactor presentation
A presentation that explains why it’s valuable to include algae as an architectural feature, and how we built our photobioreactor prototypes WaterLilly.
