growing an epigenetic reef and botanical memory system

this is a neo-natural kelp reef where architectural records are transformed into edible proteins. encased in air-tight vitrines, a collection of suspended, dried seaweed specimens showcases a transgenic process. scientists have embedded encoded information—texts, images, and drawings—directly into the genetic material of this engineered vegetation, effectively turning the reef into a living, edible library. the 3d model at the center of the reef physically represents the phrase form follows function, ciphered in the agtc sequence of dna. at the planetary scale, the system unites two powerful sinks: carbon sequestration and cold data storage.

the title coding plants reflects our vision of embedding digital information into living systems to transform how we design and build. a single gram of plant dna can theoretically store up to 215 million gigabytes of data. the project articulates a dual premise: the encoding of semantic and spatial information within botanical systems, and the broader implication of living matter as programmable infrastructure. while kelp is technically a macroalgae, not a plant, we use the term “plants” broadly—referring both to botanical life and to systems of production, as in “manufacturing plants.” kelp serves as our transgenic prototype due to its ecological value and its potential for dna-based data storage. the name signals a future in which living organisms—plant or otherwise—become computational, functional elements of architecture.

in the future, libraries won’t be built, but grown. botanical organisms will be genetically augmented to store the knowledge of specific architectural forms—houses, bridges, communal spaces, and more—that can be extracted and used to challenge polluting construction methods. the goal is to design urban environments that adapt and evolve in balance with their surrounding metabolism. plants will function as living archives, encoding detailed information within their dna, allowing users to guide and influence their growth and structural form. this approach integrates radical sustainability directly into a semi-natural ecosystem, creating a harmonious blend of hybrid nature and human innovation.

coding plants is a synthetic living reef that serves as the ultimate archive of design knowledge. by embedding complex architectural intelligence into live organisms, coding plants proposes a climate positive agenda in which nature is empowered at the genetic level. while this vision may appear speculative, it is grounded in recent breakthroughs in genetic engineering. this approach heralds a fertile architecture that reimagines conventional building practices while fostering resilience, adaptability, and ecosystem integration.

(from terreform one https://www.terreform.org/venice)

for coding plants at the venice biennale, i was asked by terreform one to create a biodegradable textile from seaweed. i started with r&d in my nyc kitchen, testing different mixes until i found the right balance of resilience, color, texture, and sheen. after prototyping small samples, i scaled up and ended up making over 100 square feet of material in my apartment. i then flew to singen, germany to join the team, where we used the seaweed textile to cover the honeycomb cardboard base and build the installation together.

credits: terreform one mitchell joachim, peder anker, melanie fessel, paul d. miller, aka dj spooky. studio: vivian kuan (executive director), julie bleha. design: david paraschiv, emily young, sky achitoff, avantika velho, jj zhijie jin. research: ava hudson, marina ongaro, nicholas lynch, jerzelle lim, helen gui. science: oliver medvedik, sebastian cocioba. collaborators: wendy w. fok, we-designs. media: michelle alves de lima. structural engineer: justin den herder, pe (principal), tylin, robert silman associates structural engineers. sponsors: u.s. national endowment for the arts, new york university, nyu global research initiatives in the office of the provost, oslo school of architecture and design, rheinmain university of applied sciences.