Last September we wrote about a project to develop a bioreactive façade using micro-algae: this is now a reality at the BIQ house, the world’s first pilot project to showcase a bioreactive façade at the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg.
From theory to practice: the micro-algae façade is in place
The four-storey BIQ house features 129 integrated photo-bioreactors covering 200 m2 on the southwest and southeast facades of the building. The flat panel glass bioreactors are filled with live micro-algae that use energy from the sun to generate biomass and heat as renewable energy resources.
At the same time, the system provides dynamic shading, as the algae react to the sun: the stronger the sun, the faster the algae grow, providing more shading for the building. The additional advantages of thermal and acoustic insulation highlight the full potential of this technology.
The heart of the system is the fully automated energy management centre where solar thermal heat and algae are harvested in a closed loop to be stored and used to generate hot water.
The development team
The innovative façade system is the result of three years of research and development by Colt International based on a bioreactor concept developed by SSC Ltd and design work led by the international design consultant and engineering firm, Arup. Funding support came from the German Government’s “ZukunftBau” research initiative.
See the world’s first algae-based bioreactor façade in action
The installation of the system was completed on 23 March and will go into operation for the first time on 25 April, when it is presented officially to the media. During the media event, the technology will be presented in detail and the development team will publish comprehensive documentation on the system.
The press conference will take place at 11am on site at the BIQ house, at the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg.
If you would like to attend, please let Marina Miceli know by 10 April via europe-press@arup.com.
To learn more about the project, visit our previous blog post “How micro-algae can help create green buildings” or the related news items “Micro-algae prove ideal for making green facades” and “Hamburg debut for world’s first algae-based bio-reactive façade: March 2013”
Paul is a Technical Director for Colt, experienced in smoke control, HVAC, solar shading and louvre systems.