Page 91 - JCAU-5-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Regenerative algal futures

unique bioregenerative algal architecture was innovated system incorporates addressing issues, such as not being
with a resilient species in mind, or a multiple species able to breathe pure clean air efficiently, carbon dioxide
that could be worked with in harsher environments — management, conducive gaseous exchange, and protection
such as extremophiles or diatoms — the advantages of against pathogens. The elucidation of the mask system is
such a system would be numerous. The need to revitalize the starting point in the birth of a “Critical Posthuman
the air that we breathe is intensifying. Having unique Practice” (Shergill, 2022) — this praxeology was clarified at
systems embedded into architectures would benefit air The Museum of Contemporary Art, London in 2022.
revitalization and much more. The critical posthuman can be defined as a being
A bioregenerative mask system was created and of multiple becomings, transformations, and intra-
displayed at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) connections with the nonhuman — applying forms of
(Figures 7 and 8; Shergill, 2022). The mask system is an sympoietic hybridization. Whilst the notion of the critical
iteration in speculative design, projecting how contemporary posthuman has risen from a critical theory perspective,
bioreactor systems can work together as a modular set of I have embedded this theory and conceptualized a new
devices. The Bioregenerative Mask System works cohesively form of critical posthuman practice, which is critically and
as an intra-connected contemporary gaseous exchange ecologically aligned. In terms of my concept, the adjective
system for potential use on multiplanetary surfaces. The “critical” has two relative definitions: first, it re-negotiates
anthropocentric thinking and critically challenges the
notion of the posthuman; second, it describes a condition
in which a “critical practice” is developed through a type
of ecotechnology to further human and nonhuman
survival. Ecotechnology is defined as a branch of science
that works with natural resources to cause minimum
ecological disruption. Therefore, my definition of a critical
posthuman practice is a twofold combination of ecologically
focused design practice and theoretical underpinning,
diffractively intertwined for the furtherance of life. Creative
photobioreactor design allows for working with a variety of
species, and therefore advantageous for many applications
— whether on Earth, in space or for multiplanetary surfaces.

8. Species
Whilst species from the genus Chlorella are considered
Figure 7. Bioregenerative Algal Mask System. The photo shows the mask a model species for space applications (Niederwieser
created by Ram Shergill. Source: Photo by Ram Shergill, The Museum of
Contemporary Art (MOCA), 2022 et al., 2018), it is important to contemplate that there are
many species that can be beneficial in bioregenerative
architectures. There is not just one “ideal species” that
benefits all locations — be it on Earth, the surface of
Mars or the Moon. Each site will need a plethora of
species which can aid the specific site — for example, the
extremophile chroococidiopsidales can be stored desiccated
for long durations. The species Anabaena and Nostoc
with their harvest index may be good for bioleaching in
industrial applications (Helisch et al., 2018). In prior
space-related research, microalgae C. vulgaris has shown
great potential (Niederwieser et al., 2018), and Anabaena
cylindrica also has potential growth capabilities on Martian
rocks (Mapstone et al., 2022). Research, laboratory testing
and in situ applications have shown that these species are
optimum for various applications. Each species will need
to be nurtured, and aligned with — in terms of nutrients,
Figure 8. The Birth of a Critical Posthuman Practice, Borosilicate Glass conditions and solar irradiation required for the species to
Mask. Source: Ram Shergill, MOCA Gallery, 2022 survive.

Volume 5 Issue 3 (2023) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.179