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Accepted manuscript

Comparative Parametric Methods for Designing Bio-receptive Interfaces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2026

Marie Melcore ,
Anna Vershinina Open the ORCID record for Anna Vershinina [Opens in a new window] ,
Işıl Yücel ,
Ezgi Öğün Ramalhete  and
Rachel Armstrong Open the ORCID record for Rachel Armstrong [Opens in a new window]
Marie Melcore*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, KU Leuven, Campus Sint-Lucas, Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Anna Vershinina
Affiliation:
Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, KU Leuven, Campus Sint-Lucas, Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Işıl Yücel
Affiliation:
Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, KU Leuven, Campus Sint-Lucas, Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Ezgi Öğün Ramalhete
Affiliation:
Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, KU Leuven, Campus Sint-Lucas, Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Rachel Armstrong
Affiliation:
Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, KU Leuven, Campus Sint-Lucas, Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
*
*Author for correspondence. Email: marie.melcore@kuleuven.be
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Abstract

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In recent years, bio-receptivity has gained increasing attention within regenerative practices. In the built environment, bio-receptive façades function as living interfaces that sustain cryptogamic and microbial growth, thus reshaping ecological interactions in urban areas. Although bio-receptivity has been studied by scientists for decades, architects and designers now play a critical role in advancing its application. This study investigates key parameters influencing bio-receptivity, including surface patterning, substrate composition, fabrication methods, and spatial orientation. Parametric geometries were computationally developed to enhance hydrodynamic performance, while material variations were evaluated for their capacity to support moisture retention and biological attachment. The prototypes were produced through an integrated workflow that combined subtractive, additive and formative manufacturing processes, and subsequently inoculated with a selected cryptogamic–microbial culture to examine growth dynamics. The research culminated in a nine-month full-scale installation entitled SPIKA, exhibited at the Milan Triennale, serving as a public demonstrator of bio-digital fabrication and ecological integration.

Keywords

surface patterningdigital parametric fabricationbio-receptivitySPIKAregenerative architecture

Information

Type
Pictorial: Biodesign Conference
Information
Biotechnology Design , Accepted manuscript , pp. 1 - 10
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press