Living Structures presented three design studios & labs with a diverse use of biology and biochemistry as a basis for their practises. The exhibition was the first in a new series 'Architecture Connecting', spotlighting the evolution of architecture in an era of climate crisis and the social, cultural and political challenges this reality poses.
Overall, the exhibitions in the new series – presented from 2024 to 2029 – will investigate how interdisciplinary encounters expand the field of architecture, and how our built world is likely to evolve. Will we ultimately bid a farewell to classic categorical antitheses such as ‘city/country’ and ‘nature/culture’ and perhaps even to the notion that our very planet is unique?
Living Structures, the first exhibition in the series, took a close look at architecture firms and architects that make diverse use of biology and biochemistry as a basis for architecture. It will reveal how research is impacting the working methods and processes of architects, and particularly how interdisciplinary approaches are changing buildings and landscapes.
The show presented ecoLogicStudio, Atelier LUMA and Jenny Sabin Studio. They work at the intersection of algorithms and nature, using new methods to push the boundaries of architecture. Conscious of our connection to all living things and tracking technological advances, not least in artificial intelligence tools, the studios are developing new methods to review issues of sustainable architecture and climate concerns.
Hube Magazine
Biodigital architecture
EcologicStudio, founded by Marco Poletto and Claudia Pasquero, is a design studio in London working with biodigital architecture. With a focus on climate and Carbon neutrality, they research, among other things, how photosynthesis can be incorporated into architecture as well as how biological mechanisms can 'reprogram' our way of devising future architecture and urban planning.
Bioregional architecture
Atelier LUMA is the design research program of LUMA Arles, an interdisciplinary creative campus based in Arles, France. It has been based in the Parc des Ateliers in Arles since 2017 and is deeply connected to its geographic and cultural environment. Atelier LUMA has been working with bioregional design and architecture. Based in Arles, they have built their own studio by mapping and identifying the local resources of the unique bioregion of Camargue. From here they are inventing new materials, designs and building components from a row of local resources like sunflowers, rice, oysters, wool, and sea salt.
Bioresponsive architecture
Jenny Sabin is an architect and researcher, heading her own studio as well as a faculty that bears her name at Cornell University, New York. Her work lies at the crossroads between architecture and science. Here, theory and knowledge from biology and mathematics help to develop new digital tools, materials and architectural structures that work in interaction with people and nature.
A strong tradition
The new series Architecture Connections is based on the The Architect’s Studio, a series of exhibitions (2017-2023) where the museum took a close look at the working process of studios around the world, providing fascinating insight into how ideas turn into form:
• In 2017, the first exhibition in the series presented Amateur Architecture Studio in China, headed by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu.
• In 2018, the exhibition, So Far …, featured Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena and the Elemental studio.
• In 2019 the works and ideas of Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao was showcased.
• In 2020-21, the exhibition Taking time featured Indian architect Anupama Kundoo.
• In 2022, the work of interdisciplinary agence Forensic Architecture was presented and their endeavours to uncover, map and submit evidence of conflicts and crimes around the world.
• In 2023, the final exhibition in series presented work by the Kenyan architectural studio Cave_bureau.
