Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto, the visionary minds behind the innovative architecture and design firm ecoLogicStudio, in collaboration with Innsbruck University, unveil their latest creation, Deep Forest, as part of the exhibition “Living Structures.”
Commissioned by a Danish museum in 2023, Deep Forest embodies a celebration of the harmonious integration of architecture and technology, challenging the modernist tendency to mechanize the natural world. This exhibition is a key component of “Architecture Connecting,” a new series curated by Mette Marie Kallehauge and Kjeld Kjeldsen, which examines the evolution of architecture amid the pressing climate crisis and the myriad social, cultural, and political challenges it brings.
“Immersing oneself in a forest is akin to surrendering to the intricate web of interrelated processes that shape its essence—and our own identity. In today’s world, these processes are both biological and digital, as we and the forest exist as cyber-organic networks. Much like the slime mould that welcomes visitors at the entrance of the Deep Forest exhibition, it represents a fusion of woodland life and biological computing—a form of wetware AI infrastructure capable of urban planning,” states Prof. Claudia Pasquero, co-founder of ecoLogicStudio.
The intricate nature and interwoven elements of this project can only be fully appreciated through firsthand experience. This is precisely why ecoLogicStudio’s exhibition at the Louisiana harnesses the immersive power of spatial design to convey the groundbreaking spirit of their two decades of research and advancements in bio-digital design, alongside their academic collaborators.
Taking inspiration from the museum’s distinctive landscape, the Deep Forest installation is influenced by the region’s diverse terrain and the materials that can be sourced and crafted locally. At the forefront is mycelium, the remarkable organism that creates what has been dubbed the Wood Wide Web, akin to the internet of the forest. In this exhibition, mycelium orchestrates the layout of the displayed projects, organizes the aeration systems of the photosynthetic reactors, and directs visitors along curated pathways. Additionally, it emerges as a living architectural element, shaping the forms and structures of bio-degraders.
While the potential uses of mycelium in biodesign are boundless, Deep Forest emphasizes its partnership with photosynthetic microalgae. The circularity of the forest ecosystem hinges on photosynthesis, not just from the leaves of trees but also from algae, which forge a symbiotic relationship with mycelium, resulting in lichens that nourish this interconnected web of life.
A collection of 102 carbon-storing sculptures crafted from reclaimed birch trunks serves as a vibrant habitat for a diverse array of fungi species in the exhibition. These unique installations create a backdrop for the 44 glass vessels that nurture living cultures of cyanobacteria and seaweeds, which in turn enrich the museum space with fresh oxygen and aid in carbon sequestration.
Designed and engineered by ecoLogicStudio, the 44 photosynthesizers collectively absorb 600 grams of CO2 each day, mirroring the capacity of a small, mature forest. Among them, 15 taller units are home to macroalgae species native to the local coastline, while 29 shorter units cultivate microalgae varieties, specifically Spirulina SP.
These innovative systems also generate biomass for 3D printing 20 biodegraders, developed at the Synthetic Landscape Lab at the University of Innsbruck. The outer structure of these biodegraders is 3D printed using an algae-infused biopolymer, while the interior is filled with 300 kilograms of spent coffee grounds. Inoculated with living mycelium, these biodegraders thrive on the sugars found in the coffee grounds, forming a robust network that resembles a synthetic trunk. The unique bio-fabrication process involves burying these synthetic mycelium trunks in the earth for up to three weeks, allowing the mycelium to fully develop its intricate networks and achieve the desired material and aesthetic qualities. Once ready, the trunks can be extracted and dried, enhancing their mechanical strength and visual appeal. Some sections may be kept moist to encourage the growth of fruiting bodies, resulting in fresh mushrooms emerging from the crevices of the 3D printed bark.
In essence, Deep Forest transforms the concept of photosynthesis management into an architectural form, encapsulating the vision of cultivating sustainable structures from the waste and pollution generated in today’s urban environments.
Photosynthesis can be seen as a reversal of fire. With the world engulfed in flames, it becomes essential to enhance photosynthesis, tailoring and innovating it to combat this fiery challenge. — Prof. Mario Carpo, from his discussion with Prof. Claudia Pasquero and Dr. Marco Poletto for the exhibition catalogue.
Additionally, Deep Forest presents five thematic zones that highlight a range of projects developed in recent years by ecoLogicStudio alongside its academic collaborators. Notable features include GAN-Physarum: La dérive numérique, an advanced machine learning algorithm designed to replicate the behavior of living slime mold, imagining a bio-digital, self-sufficient Paris; Tree One, a living sculpture that has previously graced exhibitions in Korea and China; and the innovative research conducted by Prof. Claudia Pasquero’s students at the Synthetic Landscape Lab at Innsbruck University. The exhibition also showcases ecoLogicStudio’s latest publication, Deep Green: Biodesign in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, along with the bio-digital gardening initiative H.O.R.T.U.S. XL Astaxanthin.g.
Deep Forest will be on show at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art until March 23rd, 2025.