Bioreceptive Building Facades: Codesigning with nature
- Building envelopes represent a key interface between solid substrates, the biosphere, and the atmosphere, and consequently serve as natural habitats for subaerial biofilms. This study investigates strategies to enhance the bioreceptivity of concrete cladding to support microalgae‑rich biofilms as a sustainable alternative to biocide‑dependent facade systems. Using a controlled dual‑species biofilm model and assessing algal vitality via PAM fluorometry, we examined how concrete composition and surface properties influence colonization dynamics.
The results demonstrate that substrate pH and carbonation state are primary determinants of both biofilm establishment and organismal vitality, whereas nutrient supplementation exerts comparatively minor effects. Adhesion assays indicate that moderate mechanical stress can increase biofilm robustness, and laboratory rain simulations show that surface texture and near‑surface porosity promote water retention and enhance biofilm attachment. ABuilding envelopes represent a key interface between solid substrates, the biosphere, and the atmosphere, and consequently serve as natural habitats for subaerial biofilms. This study investigates strategies to enhance the bioreceptivity of concrete cladding to support microalgae‑rich biofilms as a sustainable alternative to biocide‑dependent facade systems. Using a controlled dual‑species biofilm model and assessing algal vitality via PAM fluorometry, we examined how concrete composition and surface properties influence colonization dynamics.
The results demonstrate that substrate pH and carbonation state are primary determinants of both biofilm establishment and organismal vitality, whereas nutrient supplementation exerts comparatively minor effects. Adhesion assays indicate that moderate mechanical stress can increase biofilm robustness, and laboratory rain simulations show that surface texture and near‑surface porosity promote water retention and enhance biofilm attachment. A synergistic interaction between the algal and fungal components was observed under specific stress conditions, offering a potential explanation for the reduced performance of biofilms when transitioning from ideal laboratory settings to outdoor environments.
Overall, the findings highlight that the development of stable, photosynthetically active biofilm facades requires careful optimization of organism growth, physiological performance, and long‑term adhesion to the substrate.…


| Autor*innen: | Julia von WerderORCiD |
|---|---|
| Koautor*innen: | Leonie StohlORCiD, Jake CookORCiD, Chiara TononORCiD |
| Dokumenttyp: | Vortrag |
| Veröffentlichungsform: | Präsentation |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2025 |
| Organisationseinheit der BAM: | 4 Material und Umwelt |
| 4 Material und Umwelt / 4.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere | |
| 7 Bauwerkssicherheit | |
| 7 Bauwerkssicherheit / 7.1 Baustoffe | |
| DDC-Klassifikation: | Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Ingenieurbau |
| Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik | |
| Freie Schlagwörter: | Biofilm; Bioreceptivity; Concrete; Fluorometry; Laboratory test |
| Themenfelder/Aktivitätsfelder der BAM: | Infrastruktur |
| Infrastruktur / Green Intelligent Building | |
| Umwelt | |
| Umwelt / Umwelt-Material-Interaktionen | |
| Veranstaltung: | SASBE 2025: Smart and Sustainable Built Environment |
| Veranstaltungsort: | Lille, France |
| Beginndatum der Veranstaltung: | 03.11.2025 |
| Enddatum der Veranstaltung: | 05.11.2025 |
| Verfügbarkeit des Dokuments: | Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") |
| Datum der Freischaltung: | 02.02.2026 |
| Referierte Publikation: | Nein |
| Eingeladener Vortrag (wissenschaftliche Konferenzen): | Nein |

