Bacterial biocement is a living material that can mitigate our excessive use of concrete. Unlike concrete, this material does not require heat and can be grown with human assistance. To fabricate these bricks, bacteria are added to sand and placed in molds. Over a series of days, the bacteria are fed nutrients and naturally harden without the use of cement, plaster, or resin. As long as it’s fed, the living system continues to harden and strengthen. It can even heal fractures!

The project also explored the possibility of maintaining the bacteria alive to communicate with color in response to environmental factors such as pollutants, helping to map our eco-health. This design and fabrication process presents the possibility of redefining buildings from static to dynamic entities that interact with their ecosystems.