Bioscope - a pavilion for the St Andrews Botanic Garden

It is conceived as an ornamental structure with expressive qualities reminiscent of a thistle. Located in a small glade, dappled sunlight and shadow-play from neighbouring trees projected on the interlocking components invites observation by visitors, who then discover its inner space. Biohybrid panels are displayed as design demonstrators, creating dialogue about how materials could be grown in future. The Bioscope documents biotechnological processes and is used for film projections by artists in residence during the summer months, and shelters guests in winter. The pavilion is a semi-permeable manifold made of a waffle structure of CNC-routed marine plywood fixed onto an inner frame of repurposed timber. Due to its location beneath an ancient oak, and to avoid any damage to the roots, the lightweight construction is anchored onto a large deck that works as a floating foundation. Efficient design of parts allowed for minimal material use and easy assembly. Plywood components were mostly notched without requiring screws, glues or heavier construction equipment. The Bioscope is a living lab where novel engineered living materials can be observed as part of the research process. The 3-axis interlocking of components creates a façade depth to minimise direct exposure of biological materials to rainfall and sun during early testing. The blue-green panels are created using photosynthetic cyanobacteria called Kamptonema animale, which bind aggregate particles together, locking in carbon dioxide through a biomineralization process. This material was patented by the Bio-ID team who led the design of the Bioscope and has exciting regenerative properties. A second set of biohybrid panels showcases pigments derived from soil bacteria: purple violacein is antimicrobial, while melanin acts as a UV photoprotective compound.