Created by ecoLogicStudio, an architecture and design innovation firm specializing in biotechnology, AirBubble is the world’s first biotechnological playground integrated with air-purifying micro-algae.
According to ecoLogicStudio, the AirBubble playground incorporates Photo.Synthetica technology that allows for the integration of photosynthesis in the built environment. In doing so, a purified microclimate is created so that children can play in a clean air environment.
“There is untapped value in bringing the bio-intelligence of natural systems into cities, turning buildings into living machines that produce energy, store CO2 and clean the air,” says Marco Poletto, co-founder of ecoLogicStudio. “To achieve this, we need to think about the living world as a part of the current digital revolution: nature becomes part of a new bio-smart infrastructure.”
Structurally, AirBubble is made of a cylindrical timber structure wrapped in an ETFE membrane protecting 52 glass algae reactors. The 52 reactors contain 520 litres of living green Chlorella sp algae cultures that are capable of filtering polluted air at 200 litres/minute.
Inside, there are ropes, foot pumps and bouncy spheres for the children to interact with. Ingeniously, AirBubble is powered by two sources: solar and children’s play thanks to the four water foot pumps.
“This playground needs two sources of power: solar energy and kids’ instinctive drive to explore and to play,” explains Claudia Pasquero, co-founder of ecoLogicStudio. “These constitute the inexhaustible and renewable fuels of the AirBubble that can be obtained effortlessly. The AirBubble is the trigger of a process that can only grow and multiply its beneficial effects towards future generations. It’s all in our hands – we are responsible for our health and climate.”
The inspiration behind AirBubble comes from the reality that air pollution is the biggest global health threat, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, AirBubble was built in Warsaw, Poland, which ecoLogicStudio says is one of the most polluted cities in Europe.
All images in this article are courtesy of ecoLogicStudio.
