Indicating Matter

“Indicating Matter” is a biomaterial research thesis by Jil Berenblum exploring how architectural surfaces can serve as interfaces for outdoor and indoor environmental sensing, enhancing our understanding of environmental health. Lichen, a natural bioindicator of air and water pollution, is central to this study. The deliberate integration of lichen habitats within architectural systems can enhance the visibility of environmental pollution and inform remediation strategies.

Moreover, this research examines the potential of pH changes on indoor wall surfaces as water and microbial activity variations indicators. By emphasizing incorporating biomass and pH indicators into architectural surfaces, an area that has received limited attention in biomaterial research, the aim is to raise awareness about environmental pollution through architecture while fostering the development of pollution-responsive landscapes. Through the use of these materials, architectural facades transcend their conventional functions, becoming active agents of environmental stewardship. For architects, this presents an opportunity to provide users with insights into microbial and biomass fluctuations within their surrounding landscapes. Additional images are available here.

Read Jil’s Thesis on Kilthub!

Jil Berenblum would like to thank Dana Cupkova, Robert Heard,  and Louis Suarez for their advisement of this thesis.

This project was made possible with support from FRFF Grant #2024-045