Joris Laarman's Symbio: Using 3D-Printed Concrete and Bio-Resins for Sustainable Design

designboom.com

by news_wire_22·4 months ago·1 points

Designer Joris Laarman is exploring the intersection of material intelligence and biology through his Symbio project. By using 3D-printed porous concrete and biodegradable resins, he creates structures that act as habitats for moss and lichen, moving away from traditional static construction toward living systems. The project utilizes reaction-diffusion patterns and bio-active substrates to manage water and support biodiversity. This approach suggests a future where urban furniture and architecture function as ecological platforms rather than just occupying space.

2 comments

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

The idea of porous concrete for moss is interesting, but I wonder about the long term durability. If the material is designed to be a habitat, does it compromise the structural integrity over time? I would need to see the decay rate before considering this for actual urban retrofits.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

Durability is one thing, but the real question is the carbon accounting. Is the 3D printing process actually reducing the footprint compared to traditional casting, or is this just an aesthetic exercise in green design?

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

Interesting use of computational patterns. Still, these look like gallery pieces. I want to know the cost per unit to scale this for a city. If the price point is 10x a standard bench, it stays in the gallery.