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Algal biofilm façades are an alternative to traditional green façades which can help to improve biodiversity and air quality within cities. They present a low maintenance approach in which subaerial algae are grown directly on concrete substrates. The intrinsic bioreceptivity of the substrate is a critical factor in successful facade colonisation. Existing research has identified several environmental and material properties which influence concrete bioreceptivity, however a consensus has yet to be made on which properties are most influential and how the interaction between properties may promote algal biofilm growth under specific conditions.
Elevated temperatures and high levels of air pollution in urban environments pose a significant threat to the health and life quality of inhabitants of these areas. This research aims to address these challenges by developing green façade systems using micro-algal biofilms. Both material and biological properties are assessed to optimise biofilm performance and durability. Cementitious samples with different pH levels and varying nutrient compositions are tested in combination with model microorganisms. Organism growth, health and adhesion are monitored over a 3-month period under controlled laboratory conditions.
Bioreceptive concrete surfaces: Understanding material-biology interactions for façade greening
(2024)
The climate crisis has led to a growing demand for environmentally oriented approaches in the construction industry, including not only eco-friendly materials, but also the greening of urban spaces. Microbial facade greening with algae is a novel concept based on the inherent bioreceptive properties of different building materials. This study focuses on the influence of physical material properties on biofilm formation. Differently textured samples from the same UHPC mix were produced and their roughness and water absorption documented. The samples were then weathered under laboratory conditions to observe material-algae interactions.
The climate crisis is driving an increasing demand for ecologically oriented concepts. In the building sector, this demand includes not only the use of environmentally friendly materials but also the greening of urban areas. One promising approach is the development of bioreceptive concrete façades, which support the growth of green biofilms directly on their surfaces. These innovative façades are anticipated to deliver benefits comparable to those of macroscopically greened façades, such as enhanced biodiversity and improved air quality, while offering the advantages of being more self-sustaining and stable systems once fully established.
However, the development of bioreceptive concrete presents substantial challenges. Due to the interdisciplinarity and novelty of this field, standardized methods for material characterization and bioreceptivity assessment are currently lacking. This study proposes an approach for evaluating surface properties crucial for bioreceptivity, developed on differently structured samples of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Existing methods and standards from concrete technology are critically reviewed and, where necessary, modified to meet the unique requirements of measuring bioreceptive material properties. Special attention is given to the surface pH value and water retention characteristics, as these are essential for promoting microbial growth and ensuring the long-term stability of green biofilms. The observed surface characteristics vary according to the imprinted surface structures, offering a spectrum of material properties and enabling the evaluation of their impact on bioreceptivity. The findings presented form the foundation for subsequent laboratory weathering experiments, which will be discussed in a complementary publication.
Vertical greening systems are a promising solution to the increasing demand for urban green spaces, improving environmental quality and addressing biodiversity loss. This study facilitates the development microbially greened algal biofilm facades, which offer a low maintenance vertical green space. The study focuses on concrete as a widely used building material and explores how physical surface characteristics impact its bioreceptive properties. Concrete samples, produced from the same mix but differing in surface structure, were subjected to a laboratory weathering experiment to assess their bioreceptivity. A novel inoculation method was employed, involving a single initial inoculation with either alga ( Jaagichlorella sp.) alone, or a model biofilm consisting of a combination of the alga ( Jaagichlorella sp.) with a fungus ( Knufia petricola). The samples underwent four months of weathering in a dynamic laboratory setup irrigated with deionized water to observe subaerial biofilm attachment and growth. The formation of subaerial biofilms was monitored with high resolution surface imaging, colorimetric measurements and Imaging Pulse Amplitude Modulated Fluorometry (Imaging PAM-F), with Imaging PAM-F proving the most effective. Statistical analysis revealed that by impacting surface pH value and water retention capability, surface structures significantly influence microbial growth and that the concrete’s bioreceptivity can be influenced through thoughtful design of the materials surface. The inoculation of algae combined with a fungus facilitated the formation of a stable subaerial biofilm, enabling algae to colonize a surface structure that it could not colonize alone. This finding highlights the importance of modelling synergistic interactions present in natural biofilms.
Bioreceptive Concrete Surfaces: Understanding Material-Biology Interactions for Façade Greening
(2024)
The climate crisis has led to a growing demand for environmentally oriented approaches in the construction industry, including not only eco-friendly materials, but also the greening of urban spaces. Microbial facade greening with algae is a novel concept based on the inherent bioreceptive properties of different building materials. This study focuses on the influence of physical material properties on biofilm formation. Differently textured samples from the same UHPC mix were produced and their roughness and water absorption documented. The samples were then weathered under laboratory conditions to observe material-algae interactions.