AWARD YEAR
2017
CATEGORY
Home
GOALS
Responsible Consumption & Production
KEYWORDS
food, Local production, bacteria
COUNTRY
Austria
DESIGNED BY
Jacob Douenias and Ethan Frier - Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh
WEBSITE
http://www.douenias.design/living-things-1
Living Things
A Photosynthetic Furniture that can grow your dinner right in your own living room
In the living room of the not-so-distant-future, you might have a glowing green blob of microorganisms next to your sofa instead of a lamp. A new line of photosynthetic furniture is filled with spirulina—a tiny, edible bacteria—that the designers imagine could help feed us without the incredible environmental footprint of conventional agriculture.
Living Things mirrors how micro-algae, specifically Spirulina algae, can be harnessed to fuel common household appliances, thanks to their nutritious properties and their wide availability. Capable of recycling light, heat and carbon, this material is contained by hand-blown glass vessels connected to each other with a system of hidden wiring and plumbing. Each vessel can be managed separately from a control centre, which is comprised of a series of knobs to reveal the mechanics behind the process. The entire space aims to mimic the typical house interiors, and presents a division in living room, kitchen and dining room.