From the Lab to the Land: Challenges of Upscaling Biobased Materials for Architecture

The field of biology offers great inspiration for sustainable design solutions through the exploration and implementation of biobased materials in architecture. Research on this topic is increasingly viewed as a key pathway to addressing climate change, partly because biobased materials have lower embedded energy, can be integrated into circular economy strategies, can be produced locally, and in some cases, biobased materials have been shown to have similar or improved mechanical and hygrothermal properties compared to standard construction materials. However, significant challenges need to be addressed to facilitate a smooth and consistent transition toward a biobased construction industry. Some of these barriers relate to growth processes, cultural perceptions, standardization, and mass production of materials. Another barrier is transitioning from micro-scale structures developed in laboratory settings to metre-scale structures used in architectural applications. Upscaling biobased materials requires adjustments in growth techniques, workspaces, material manipulation tools, and post-processing to ensure the materials meet the requirements for use in the built environment. This document examines bacterial cellulose in this context, illustrating the process followed to upscale the production of the material and adapt it from a controlled lab environment to a larger architectural scale. The study presents and assesses the steps taken to adapt lab growing conditions, harvesting and drying techniques, and coating choices, among other critical procedures. The barriers and opportunities encountered through this process contribute to the ongoing discussion on shifting from traditional to biobased materials in the built environment. Moreover, this research underscores the transformative role that biobased materials like bacterial cellulose can play in advancing sustainable architectural practices and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary efforts to bridge laboratory research and large-scale built design.