laura maria gonzalez grows sustainable biocement from microbes

‘microbes makes mountains’ at mit keller gallery

In Laura Maria Gonzalez’s exhibition Microbes Make Mountains, the researcher and designer sheds light on Earth’s tiniest architects — microbes — whose silent work has been shaping our ecosystems for billions of years. On display at MIT’s Keller Gallery, this showcase delves into the intersection of design and microbial life, unveiling the hidden artistry of these ancient communities and their potential to influence design concepts. As Gonzalez showcases the potential for these lifeforms to influence design concepts, she provides a fresh perspective on the intricate dance of life and geology, prompting us to reimagine how we build and live.

The installations draw inspiration from the vibrant mineral formations found in places such as Spain’s Rio Tinto and Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression, where microbial communities significantly contribute to the creation of striking mineral patterns. Building upon this, Gonzalez showcases the potential of bacteria to create biocement, a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete which is produced through a delicate act of cultivation and creation.

Microbes Make Mountains exhibition at the MIT Keller gallery | all images courtesy of Laura Maria Gonzalez

Laura Maria Gonzalez looks to design in microbial life

Laura Maria Gonzalez’s process of creating biocement begins with nurturing bacteria, which are then introduced into specially designed 3D-printed molds filled with an aggregate mineral mixture. The addition of urea and calcium then creates an environment conducive to the formation of calcium carbonate crystals, resulting in a series of biocemented spheres. These reveal a diverse mineral-microbe palette and highlight the possibility of creating intricate curvature and 3D shapes through this biofabrication process. Further, the designer presents two prototype sculptures in the exhibition to demonstrate the roles of iron and copper in the biocementation process, unveiling the complex interplay between microbes and minerals and the aesthetic and resilient qualities of bioengineered structures.

The exhibition’s layout guides visitors through the hidden world of microbes and minerals towards a broader understanding of biocement structures, making use of tools such as microscopes, SEM images, and a short film. Through Microbes Make Mountains, Laura Maria Gonzalez seeks to shift our perception of the unseen microbial world and encourages us to envision a future where these tiny architects are integrated into our built environment. By bridging the microscopic with the macroscopic, this design process advocates for an approach to ecosystem design and architecture that recognizes the inherent capabilities of these ancient living communities. This exhibition is funded by a grant from the Council for the Arts at MIT (CAMIT), as well as the MIT Department of Architecture, and supported by Huang-Hobbs BioMaker Space.

Laura Maria Gonzalez sheds light on Earth’s tiniest architects — microbes

biocemented sculpture prototype II

biocemented sculpture prototype I

colored with a copper carbonate and iron oxide

the exhibition draws inspiration from the vibrant mineral formations found in places such as Spain’s Rio Tinto

interlocking modules create the overall structure of the biocemented sculpture prototypes

Gonzalez cultivating the microbes at MIT’s Huang-Hobbs Biomaker Space

scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the crystals produced by the bacteria

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spheres created through the interaction of microbes and minerals

Process showing the making of biocemented spheres with bacteria, sand, and various minerals

project info:

name: Microbes Make Mountains Exhibition
designer: Laura Maria Gonzalez
collaborators: Justin Buck, Donald Galler, Tejumola Bayowa, Christopher Dewart, Amir B Jahanbin

exhibition team: Amanda Moore, Jim Harrington, Joél Carela

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom