Post by Yomna K. ABDALLAH

What if buildings could glow naturally—without electricity? For decades, architectural bioluminescence has remained largely confined to laboratory experiments. Our vision was different: to transform living bioluminescence into an architectural-scale building technology. Proud to have contributed, as part of the BioLumCity research team at the Institute for Biodigital Architecture & Genetics (iBAG), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC Barcelona), to what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first successful implementation of active bioluminescence at an architectural scale through a fully integrated living material system funded by the Fritz und Trude Fortmann Stiftung. Our research combines: 🧬 A computationally designed 3D-printed bioreceptive scaffold optimized for microbial colonization. 🧫 A customized 3D-bioprinted slurry hydrogel encapsulating living Aliivibrio fischeri bioluminescent bacterial cultures. 💡 A durable living material capable of sustaining visible blue-green bioluminescence for extended periods without continuous refilling, while enabling scalable architectural integration. Published in Applied Microbiology, our work demonstrates how architecture, biotechnology, biomaterials, computational design, and digital fabrication can converge to redefine sustainable lighting and create a new generation of living architectural materials. This is more than a research project—it is a step toward buildings that are alive, regenerative, intelligent, and energy conscious, opening new opportunities for biotechnology, advanced materials, regenerative architecture, and smart cities. As investment accelerates in Vision 2030, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation sustainable cities, I look forward to collaborating with institutions that are shaping the future through interdisciplinary research and innovation. Publication: https://lnkd.in/dgTtGR8P #Bioluminescence #LivingArchitecture #Biotechnology #Bioengineering #Bioprinting #AdvancedMaterials #RegenerativeArchitecture #ComputationalDesign #DigitalFabrication #Sustainability #FutureCities #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia #ResearchLeadership #Innovation #YomnaKAbdallah