The sushi lovers must be familiar with nori that's made from
seaweed, the member of algae family. As a food, it is rich in fiber and has
high protein. Several other types, such as microalgae have also been processed
into foods. But have you ever imagined if algae is made as energy source of
light?
Named Living Things, the two designers; Jacob Douenias and
Ethan Frier from Carnegie Mellon University, try to give an idea of how
symbiotic mutualism between humans and microorganisms can help to 'create an
environment'. Microorganisms have been frequently used for industrial purposes
such as medical, agriculture, fuel to alcoholic beverages. But for the first
time microalgae is used for architectural purposes - a living structure.
The creation process is quite unique; the designers choose
the Spirulina type, which is cultivated in bioreactor containers of handmade
glass at once as furniture/home furnishings. These containers can be placed in
different places: living room, dining room and kitchen. The glass containers
set up all kinds of algae needs such as air supply, nutrition, light, and
disposal. Meanwhile, we get light and heat.
The system is connected by cable as long as 800 meters,
extends between the control center and containers. The workstation consists of
tube access, water and air pumps, heater and LED driver. One filament of
Spirulina is difficult to be seen with the naked eye, because its size is only
1/3 of a millimeter. In large amounts, it is green. The more concentrated, the
more effective algae absorb light.
Over time, Spirulina will grow heavy. It is time for us to
'harvest'. It's easy, you just need to visit the setting part and get the
microalgae through one of the 18 valves that are available. Of course in order
to be able to be consumed, the algae must be dried first, change the 'paste'
being green powder. Described by Douenias and Frier, the powder is storing 60
percent more protein than the total weight, it tastes like nori.
The series of Living Things furniture are installed in The
Mattress Factory, part of The Museum of Contemporary Art, located in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the exhibition, visitors are also welcome to
harvest the Spirulina. Both the designers and museum team collaborate with the
bartenders and chefs to provide the microalgae-based foods and drinks to be
enjoyed.
Living Things will be opened until March 2016.