As global regions undergo structural and demographic shifts, agritourism and algae farms have huge potential, but models need testing and feedback from people, so that prototypes can be optimally identified as multi-use educational resources related to their living context. 'You don't have so many choices at the moment. There is a detachment of production from consumption, when even recycling can be fun', say ecoLogicStudio. Their Algae Farm for the Swedish Municipality of Simrishamn demonstrates the interactive potentials for algae-related urban activities and architectural prototypes. Here on the Ostersjiön region of Sweden on the Baltic Sea a decaying fishing industry and ageing local population 'calls for the introduction of a new type of economic and urban system.'
![Top image: new symbiotic algae and seafood/fish farms generated in Crane Greenhouses. <br />Above: the design for an underwater museum. Top image: new symbiotic algae and seafood/fish farms generated in Crane Greenhouses. <br />Above: the design for an underwater museum.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_6138_web_UNDERWATER%20MUSEUM2.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
Above: the design for an underwater museum.
![A prototype of the Hanging Algae Garden is visible until October at the Simrishamn Marine Centre. A prototype of the Hanging Algae Garden is visible until October at the Simrishamn Marine Centre.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_9100_web_detail21.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
These local groups are denoted on the map by different coloured dots, but also, depending on the identity of their application, by cycles of application. For example, ecology, energy, food, water and microclimate, is the cycle of action, for new symbiotic algae and seafood/fish farms conceived as Crane Greenhouses. Designed for the underused ports and coastal areas, these crane-like structures hold canopies made of ETFE like petals with small bags that function as adaptive greenhouses capable of supporting production over 12 months a year.
Our masterplan is an interface. By involving small producers in the region it becomes participatory.
![Detail of the Hanging Algae Garden. Detail of the Hanging Algae Garden.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_4814_web_hanging%20garden1.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
The region with its many lush river valleys and estuaries lends itself to the essential art of water phitodepuration. But the Filtering Garden plays not just this role but also is a place dispensing spa treatments, undertaking biological monitoring and organic food production and consumption. The old clusters of farms in the regions are reimagined as hubs of high-tech algae farming infrastructures, an agri-town hosting production facilities, touristic activities and research centres for industrial algae products.
![In addition to lakes and ponds, the Migro Towers provide new sites for rest and shelter for migratory birds, visible to tourists. In addition to lakes and ponds, the Migro Towers provide new sites for rest and shelter for migratory birds, visible to tourists.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_4262_web_migro%20tower1.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
![The Filtering Garden is used for the phitodepuration of sewage water, but also for dispensing spa treatments, undertaking biological monitoring, and organic food production and consumption. The Filtering Garden is used for the phitodepuration of sewage water, but also for dispensing spa treatments, undertaking biological monitoring, and organic food production and consumption.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_6123_web_filtering%20garden1.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
![The Algae Hanging Gardens prototype invites visitors to experience the photosynthesis of algae and contribute to the cultivation of the project. The Algae Hanging Gardens prototype invites visitors to experience the photosynthesis of algae and contribute to the cultivation of the project.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_6077_web_gardening1.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
ecoLogic's integrative, interactive strategy creates vitalizing educational resources connected in a considered social and environment network. It avoids the hermeticism of a purely technical research centre, divorced from the rest of life. 'If you don't connect with the end user, it will end up just being a factory outside the town, they point out. 'There can be ways to work with nature to allow people to be involved—the process can be playful, not a bureaucratic way.'
Lucy Bullivant
![After proposing a project to the Municipality, the team was invited to design a masterplan for the region. This explores the incubation of new models for tourism, other industries, and research, with algae playing a leading role. After proposing a project to the Municipality, the team was invited to design a masterplan for the region. This explores the incubation of new models for tourism, other industries, and research, with algae playing a leading role.](/content/dam/domusweb/en/architecture/2011/09/16/algae-farm/big_358588_1857_web_perterra_11%20final_scale%201_4_4001.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
ecoLogicStudio design team: Claudia Pasquero,Marco Poletto with Andrea Bugli, Silvia Ortu
Client: Marine Centrum Department, Simrishamn Municipality
Consultants: Catherine Legrand (biology and local bio-diversity), Fredrika Gullfot (biology and algae farming)
Interns for support in exhibition: Xenia Palelouglou, Manuele Gaioni, Kwanphil Cho
More information and video at ecoLogic.