This groundbreaking work invites us to rethink how we build our world. Over 2.4 billion years ago, marine cyanobacteria (picoplankton), one of Earth’s earliest life forms, were responsible for decreasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and creating the oxygen-rich environment that sustains life on our planet. These tiny organisms transformed our planet’s atmosphere, making complex life possible.

In her research, Andrea Shin Ling at ETH Zurich has brought together collaborators in material science, biology, robotics and computational design to pair these organisms with technological innovation in a completely new way, creating a first-of-its-kind biofabrication platform capable of printing living structures at an architectural scale.

The large structures you see here are not just solid structures but living organisms. They contain live Synechococcus PCC 7002, a species of picoplankton, which slowly strengthens structures by consuming and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, producing oxygen and minerals in the process. As you watch, these microscopic partners continue building, breathing and growing in their 3D-printed homes.

This project represents a shift toward post-humanist thinking, moving beyond human-centred design to include other forms of life as active collaborators. The focus is on collaboration rather than on extracting things from nature. The installation ultimately seeks to challenge conventional paradigms of building and material production. Rather than focusing solely on human survival, it explores modes of resilience that include broader ecological systems, reimagining how architecture might operate in and contribute to planetary restoration.

Cyanobacteria require careful attention in terms of light, moisture and warmth. Throughout the exhibition, caretakers monitor their living conditions, highlighting the importance of long-term stewardship and maintenance in this ecological design approach. This ongoing care encourages us to view microscopic life as partners in creating spaces that heal our planet, rather than as resources to be exploited. 

(Barnabás Bencsik)