2024-12-04T04:00:35-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150095257/urban-design-practice-ecologicstudio-harvests-photosynthetic-microalgae-to-help-de-carbonize-our-cities Mackenzie Goldberg 2018-11-09T14:24:00-05:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/5d/5d01f75958f5caed2bee9563c3c98c11.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The London-based architectural practice <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/98219524/ecologicstudio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ecoLogicStudio</a>, which specializes in&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/403660/biodesign" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bio-digital design</a>, has developed a large-scale installation which stores and filters CO2 to help fight global climate change. Their 'urban curtain'&mdash;dubbed Photo.Synth.Etica&mdash;was unveiled this week in Dublin during the 2018 Climate Innovation Summit, where it covered the main fa&ccedil;ade of the Printworks building at Dublin Castle.</p> <p>Composed of 16, 2 x 7 meter modules made from a digitally designed and custom made bioplastic, the curtain acts as a photo-bioreactor, harvesting light and carbon dioxide to feed living <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/103274/algae" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">micro-algal cultures</a>.<br></p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/7d/7df0cb19c2b9aeeb86258e771c6133e2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/7d/7df0cb19c2b9aeeb86258e771c6133e2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Photo.Synth.Etica by ecoLogicStudio &copy; NAARO</figcaption></figure><p>"For example, when the Printworks building emits CO2, this is captured by each of our facade&rsquo;s photo-bioreactors and feeds the living algae cultures within them" <a href="https://www.climate-kic.org/opinion/harvesting-intelligence-photosyntetic-microalgae-de-carbonise-future-cities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">explains</a> ecoLogicStudio co-founder Marco Poletto. And "when the sun shines, its energy is captured by the algae cells within the photo-bioreactors that are designed to form an urb...</p>