ABSTRACT
The interdisciplinary research group, URBN STEAMLAB, integrates evidence based design with fundamental research processes in science, engineering and technology to create novel strategies and solutions for sustainable urban living and architectural interior spaces. Here, trans-disciplinary research is conducted to lead to new built outcomes and urban living spaces that are sustainable and include natural systems. This paper details a novel project driven by such concerns. Algal Biophilic Interior Environments is an in-home architecturally integrated hydroponics system that addresses the issues of healthy food availability in the urban environment and is the product of novel working methods. The design includes sustainable, effective, and testable interior systems that are suitable for growing algae cultures and plants on a small scale in the urban row home interior. These small-scale consumer-sized interior growing units will act as interactive infrastructural units in an urban row home.
