Comparing the form-finding and the scan of our HempHalo prototype - sunshading system made entirely from hemp fibers - both for bending rods and the textile
As part of the Eco-Metabolistic Architecture project at CITA, in collaboration with the Department of Marine Biology at the University of Copenhagen, we investigate how living organisms like cyanobacteria might inhabit future living architectural systems.
This image series captures cyanobacteria embedded in hydrogel, documented in the biolab at the Royal Danish Academy through both optical microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Swipe to see filamentous cyanobacteria emerging from the hydrogel matrix, followed by SEM images revealing calcium chloride crystals forming alongside the cyanobacteria filaments - tiny landscapes hinting at a future where architecture grows, breathes, and lives.
#EcoMetabolisticArchitecture #CITA #RoyalDanishAcademy #KglAkademi #UniversityOfCopenhagen #MarineBiology #LivingArchitecture #BioArchitecture #Biodesign #Biomaterials #LivingMaterials #MaterialResearch #Cyanobacteria #Hydrogel #SEM #ScanningElectronMicroscopy #Microscopy #OpticalMicroscopy #Biolab #Biofabrication #BioIntegratedDesign #SpeculativeArchitecture
CITA has published new research evaluating the architectural and environmental potentials of a mussel shell and alginate marine biocomposite.
The research investigates how blue biomass, including mussel shells, eelgrass, and alginate, can support new circular material flows for architecture. Material testing, digital design methods, and hybrid fabrication demonstrate the feasibility of a full scale cladding panel system using marine derived resources.
The material system was implemented in the demonstrator "Local Resource / Collective Knowledge", exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, where 104 diamond shaped panels formed part of a biogenic façade installation.
The research forms part of the Building with Blue Biomass network and the ERC funded Eco Metabolistic Architecture project.
#CITAResearch #BlueBiomass #Biocomposites #CircularConstruction #BioMaterials #DigitalFabrication #Architecture #CAADRIA
CITA is continuing research into biogenic binders for architectural materials, including new biopolymer formulations based on legume (pea) protein.
This work explores how plant-derived proteins can contribute to developing renewable, degradable material systems for architectural applications, expanding the palette of bio-based binders alongside earlier studies using lactose, soy, collagen, and alginate.
The research forms part of CITA’s broader investigations into biopolymer composites with tuned lifespans, supporting circular material cycles and new approaches to durability in architecture.
#CITAResearch #Biopolymers #BioMaterials #CircularConstruction #MaterialResearch #ComputationalDesign #Architecture
Posting some diagrams that demonstrate the upcoming prototype idea. We want to use part of the canopy to show how through the use of both digital simulation and digital fabrication we can differentiate the textile membrane based on the target performance. For example in thos case we allocate the more elastic knit structure of interlock in the green zones where the membrane is more stressed, being stretched outwards.
CITA has published new research on a fast, high-precision robotic scanning integration designed to plug directly into design and fabrication workflows with live feedback loops.
The development, Shiva, is a new Grasshopper plugin that integrates Zivid 3D scanners (@zivid_as ) into computational design environments. Shiva enables automatic point cloud capture and alignment through robotic positioning, allowing rapid generation of high-quality 3D data directly inside robotic workflows.
Tested on reclaimed timber elements and biopolymer panels, the research demonstrates applications in digital inspection, adaptive reuse, monitoring of weathered materials, and repair workflows, supporting ongoing research in bio-based and circular construction.
The research was conducted as part of the ERC-funded Eco-Metabolistic Architecture project.
The paper is available as an open access publication (link in story).
#CITAResearch #DigitalFabrication #RoboticScanning #Grasshopper3D #PointCloud #ComputationalDesign #BioMaterials #AdaptiveReuse #CircularConstruction #Architecture
Topping out of CITA's ReShelter project!
ReShelter explores how reclaimed timber can be reconfigured into new structural systems. Working with elements shaped by previous tectonic logics (joints, cutouts), the project recomposes various circular material streams into a site specific architectural topology.
More soon as the project nears completion!
#CITAResearch #ReShelter #TimberReuse #CircularConstruction #AdaptiveReuse #Architecture #DigitalFabrication #MaterialResearch
CITA is presenting the Hemp Halo prototype at #JECWorld 2026 in Paris as part of the #RAW project.
Hemp Halo explores hemp as a sustainable alternative to fossil- and mineral-based architectural membranes and composite materials. The 3-meter-wide umbrella-like structure demonstrates how CNC-knitted hemp textiles and pultruded composite rods can form a lightweight architectural system made entirely from hemp-based materials.
Developed through material research, digital design, and fabrication within RAW, the project highlights the potential of European-grown hemp for circular, high-performance architectural applications.
📍 JEC World, Paris
🗓 10–12 March 2026
#CITAResearch #RAWProject #JECWorld2026 #BioMaterials #Hemp #CircularDesign #DigitalFabrication #Architecture #Innovation @kglakademi
IntCDC Spring Conference 2026 I 23 April 2026
We are delighted to announce that a renowned and distinguished keynote speaker has confirmed her participation in the upcoming IntCDC Spring Conference 2026, organised by the IntCDC Cluster of Excellence at the Max-Planck-Institute @mpi_is in Stuttgart.
💡 Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen, Director of CITA, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen @metteramsgaardt@cita
Join us for this outstanding conference featuring renowned speakers, the latest research findings and inspiring discussions. We look forward to welcoming you to an exciting and unforgettable event!
🚨 Ticket registration is now open
🔗/intcdcspringconference2026
#IntCDC #EXC2120 is funded by @dfg__public #deutscheforschungsgemeinschaft #germanresearchfoundation
#IntCDC #BauhausEarth #UniversityofStuttgart #ResearchCollaboration
@unistuttgart@mpi_is@bauhaus_earth
#springconference2026 #IntCDCconference #IntCDC #EXC2120 #clusterofexcellence #futureofscience #futureofarchitecture #computationaldesign #computationalconstruction #codesign #digitalfabrication #architecture #research #excellencestrategy
Reviews of the Designing Behaviour biopolymer 3D-printing workshop, led by Carl Eppinger with the support of Carolyn-Nelle Preston Ichniowski and Andreea Bunica. The workshop investigates how reinforcement learning can guide biopolymer 3D printing processes, allowing form to emerge from interaction, feedback and material response. #additivemanufacturing #biopolymer #reinforcementlearning #computationaldesign #roboticsinarchitecture
Intensely prototyping our fully hemp based tensile structure - architectural shading canopy! In this canopy the bending rods are made with the innovative pultrusion process using hemp rovings, developed by our @rawproject.eu partners @grown.lab (in collab with @manaomea ), while the testile CNC-knitted membrane and the connection details are developed and produced inhouse @citacph , using 100% based hemp yarns.
