for their prize-winning entry to arch out loud‘s 2020 HOME competition, architectural practice superficium presents ‘biohacker’s residence’, a communal retreat for biohacker hobbyists. proposed to be situated within the red rock desert landscape in utah, the project speculates the use of 3D-printed, bio-integrated materials to generate a protective architectural tissue.

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all images courtesy of superficium studio

 

 

‘since the availability of home-use biotechnology kits, do-it-yourself biohacker communities have surged along with an increasing synthesis between home and laboratory’ superficium shares. here, the retreat offers its occupants a malleable architecture, which imagines elements to be repurposed or replaced with self-printed bio-integrated materials. the cellular organization of the shell can then be reprogrammed for internal environmental comfort or sterilization according to the user’s needs for their own self-experimentation.

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an external view on the approach of the residence

 

 

secluded within the rocky scenery, the retreat could offer biohackers a safe haven for remote practice and self-administration, while they look to challenge what it means to be human. communal areas are designed to support biohacking activities, such as organic 3D printing and workstations with CRISPR technology, which enables cellular reprogramming through genetic engineering.

 

 

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plan view showing how the proposal integrates into the desert landscape

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interior view of the communal lounge

 

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cutaway axonometric showing the body therapy units, CRISPR editing workstation, and organic 3D printer

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section showing living and storage units

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detailed view of bio-integrated materials

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a breakaway piece from the wider collection of living units – the external tissue is intended to be reprogrammed by its users to regulate heating and extract solar energy

 

 

project info:

 

name: biohacker’s residence
architecture office: superficium studio

 

 

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom