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Team:Newcastle/Architecture
From 2013.igem.org
Contents |
Architecture & Synthetic Biology
Introduction
Beside working on our project Bare Cillus, over the course of the summer, we also explored potential future synthetic biology applications to the field of architecture.
Therefore, the following article is a discussion on the relationship between architecture and synthetic biology based on the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the course of this project. To begin with, I brief over the similarities and differences between the two fields that have become apparent to us over the summer. I also speculate about what kind of specifications the potential application area must have in order for it to be valid and discuss to what extent I believe synthetic biology will be applied to architecture. I also reflect on the future, for example, what is necessary to do now in order for this to become a reality and discuss the advantages and disadvantages that this may have.
Similarities and Differences
Over the course of this project, certain similarities between Architecture and Synthetic Biology have become prominent, especially in the design cycle.
Structure, both buildings and a cell wall both rely on the structure to support and protect. Structure is essential. Without the proper structure a building might collapse and like out Bare Cillus project shows, once we remove cell wall to create l-forms we have to be careful as they can burst if not in an osmotic ally stable solution.
Applications
At the moment there is a big division between the built and natural environment due to lack of technological bridge as the current architectural practices are based on Victorian technologies. We believe this problem can be solved using synthetic biology, especially if we think of synthetic biology as a material practice, with the cell being the factory where the enzymes represent the machine that process and assemble the raw materials into a product that can be used.
However, to what extent can synthetic biology be potentially applied to architecture? Could we program a single cell to grow a building?
However, the application area must have certain characteristics in order for it to justify the use of biotechnology.
In order for biotechnology to be produced for a certain application area, it should justify the effort, time and cost input needed to produce the synthetic material. It is important that the environment of our desired application area can be reproduced in the lad. Otherwise if the two environments are not identical, the biotechnology might not work as expected or at all. Probably the most important specification is that the application product should be particular to an atmosphere. It should be unique from other environments in order to avoid contamination outside the planned sphere of influence. Furthermore, the application area must have use for a large volume of synthetic product in order to justify the cost of the development. It is also advisable that the application area is similar in environment to other potential application areas in order for the biotechnology to be reusable and easily adapted to other purposes. This would save time and money.
No matter how synthetic biology will be applied to architecture, we can be certain that it will offer novel, maybe unexpected ways of constructing architecture that will succeed and replace conventional technologies.
Advantages and disadvantages
The biggest current challenge is the need for validation. The most obvious reason is the danger of contamination. Although the dangers of accidental release can be minimized through the use of a fail-safe or kill switch, we still cannot predict exactly how a cell will behave. Therefore, the danger of contamination is still the biggest hurdle to overcome. Second is the transportation, most likely there will be need of a distribution network that can transport the synthetic product from one factory to another. Also, more space might be needed to store the synthetic products as the risks of contamination are greater. Lastly, the cell factory will need fuel to survive and manufacture the synthetic product. Where will this energy come from?
However not all is negative. Better product quality and performance of product could be achieved as using biotechnology will give us more control over the process so large amounts of product with the characteristics we require could be produced. Cheaper prices may also be an advantage as we may find a cheaper and more efficient alternative ways of creating materials. Furthermore, environmentally friendly solutions might be possible as, for example, we may use waste to fuel the material production or could choose to replace the current materials with a new ‘greener’ alternative that has only become available through the use of biotechnology. This would also lead to a larger range of manufacturing techniques which may lead to more competitive prices and also more freedom for designers over material choice. Due to the advantages above, biotechnology may potentially offer novel and surprising ways of constructing architecture that may succeed and replace conventional technologies.
Conclusion
References
