Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The global population is exponentially growing, and it is estimated that more people will be living in metropolitan areas in the next decades.Considering the finiteness of agricultural lands, finding alternative sustainable ways to produce food is imperative.Microalgae have many properties -including the capacity of fixing carbon dioxide -and some particular strains like Spirulina are gaining in popularity as a superfood mainly due to their high amount of protein, and high consumer acceptance.This design research studies the integration of microalgal production in urban contexts.The work is an innovative attempt to utilize microalgae as a driving force to foster environmental sustainability and economic profitability.The most recent design and architectural projects that have entailed the use of microalgae are analyzed, and their limits and possibilities are traced.Afterward, two innovative products and the related service-systems are presented.The practice-based work outlines the transversal role of design and emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches from the fields of biology, economics, and sociology.Finally, new potential opensource design applications and guidelines are defined to be used as a basis for future research and projects.
Source: PORTO@Iris
Author: VRENNA, MAURIZIO
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7219190843