SolarLeaf: The world's first bioreactive façade

Photobioreactors (pbr) are transparent containers for the controlled cultivation of microorganisms such as algae. The BIQ house is the worlds first architectural project realised featuring flat panel pbr, generating biomass and heat as part of an integrated energy concept. The project is part of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg.

In order to implement this potential disruptive technological innovation, technical, ecological and social aspects have been looked at holistically to optimise and develop the system towards market maturity.

At the foreground of this monitoring project has been the intensive evaluation and optimisation of the energy efficiency of the technology in relation to the acceptance and reception of the building users.

After the successful implementation of the pilot project, a big step towards the market maturity of the system has been taken. Further improvements with respect to the efficiency and a closed value chain are required to demonstrate commercial feasibility and attract investors to implement the system more widely.