On 10 March, UIC Barcelona School of Architecture lecturers Alberto T. Estévez and Yomna Abdallah presented their research on the development of biomaterials for the field of architecture in the 5th International Conference on Biomaterials and Nanomaterials, organised by Allied Academies. 

At this conference, which was held under the title “Biomaterials & Architecture: A Possible Future”, both speakers presented projects focusing on the generation of biomaterials from the use of clays and biocomposite materials, mainly from agricultural waste. They also presented other bioactive materials they are working on that incorporate living cells (such as algae, fungi, bacteria, and bone cells) and malignant cells present in some mammals (mainly osteosarcoma). 

These types of biomaterials have been developed using biofabrication techniques, biolearning algorithms, and the latest printing 3D techniques. “The application of these materials includes the development of biosystems –such as bioremediation, bioelectricity or biomineralisation– and aims to develop a more sustainable, autonomous and morphogenetic type of architecture”, explained the researchers.