Creating a responsive material palette for the built environment will enable dynamic adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Biohybrid materials harness the functionalities of biologically active components in combination with the structural properties of non-living components.

This research presents an integrative manufacturing platform for the design and fabrication of a novel cellulose-based fibre-composite panels. The material acts to immobilise two microorganisms for production of functional pigments Melanin and Violacein. These pigments have been used for a range of functions suited for built environment applications such as solar protection and anti-viral coatings. A computational design workflow for the robotic manufacturing the fibre-composite components was developed, integrating customisable fibre layup and multi-material biopolymer deposition allowing for local material distribution.

Large-scale panels (1800mm x 600mm) were installed in the Bioscope pavilion at the St. Andrews Botanic Garden as a proof of concept for the design and manufacturing requirements.