Photographies © BioMat at ITKE/University of Stuttgart, Photos by ReportArch / Andrea Ferro Photography
TIME SPACE EXISTENCE
BioMat is participating in the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, as part of the Biennale collateral event entitled TIME SPACE EXISTENCE, organised by the European Cultural Center (ECC). The BioMat exhibition Materials as a Design Tool showcases three recent projects advancing the application of biomaterials in the built environment towards the creation of a circular economy in line with the Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations.
3DNaturDruck investigates the architectural application of 3D-printed natural fibres. Through interdisciplinary research, this project seeks to co-design a new materialisation process by interconnecting the fields of architectural design, engineering and digital fabrication. The column demonstrator Ligno Print presents a viable strategy by which this emerging material method may be applied to large-scale architectural scenarios, a new territory for this particular natural fibre technique;
LeichtPRO explores the development of lightweight profiles and components using renewable raw materials, with the ultimate goal being sustainability. Two products are created: the newly developed natural flax fibre profiles produced through the pultrusion technique and biocomposite connectors, both intended to be applied in structural systems. The LightPRO Shell pavilion from 2021 showcased a large-scale lightweight active-bending shell structure. Further applications are also realised, including tensegrity, reciprocal, and other shell structures;
Smart Circular Bridge demonstrates the potential of a bioeconomy in the construction industry. The project includes the construction of three biocomposite pedestrian and bicycle bridges in Europe. A sophisticated monitoring system continuously monitors the stability and material condition. This ensures not only the highest level of safety for use, but also provides extensive information for planning further bridges. Aiming at maximum material circularity, the recovery of the biocomposite materials is also included in the research.
Together, these projects point to the possibilities of reconnecting with the materiality of Architecture in order to enable the innovative use of biomaterials and shape a more material-efficient perspective for the new sustainable Architecture of the coming Era.
The exhibition is located in Palazzo Mora on the first floor, room 2. The address is Strada Nova, 3659, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy.
Visitations from 20 May to 26 November 2023 with free admission.