Hello! Algae

The escalating impact of human activities on the environment is an irrefutable fact, with a future marked by increasingly severe floods, more intense droughts, and more frequent, unpredictable, and violent storms in a warming world.

In response to these challenges, Zhenjing Lang has conceptualized a project centered on an innovative approach to urban farming. This project is specifically focused on the cultivation, harvesting, and consumption of Spirulina within an urban environment. Its primary objective is to create a bridge between the fast-paced modern urban lifestyle and natural, traditional food sources. The project particularly emphasizes integrating Spirulina, a superfood recognized as one of the world's oldest food sources, into daily diets. Spirulina, having gained attention for its future potential and endorsed by NASA, is renowned for its high nutritional value, absence of toxicity, and its beneficial effects in combating viral infections, anaemia, tumor growth, and malnutrition.

Lang's design introduces an algae hydroponic farm conceptualized as a homeware device. This automated ecosystem is custom-designed for use by individuals or families in their own homes, thereby streamlining the process of food production to the point of consumption. The design specifically caters to vegans in search of plant-based dietary options and to those individuals who prefer natural, home-grown alternatives to pharmaceutical dietary supplements.

The design concept focuses on an algae farm that integrates three primary functions: growth, collection, and drainage. This ideation emphasizes functionality, particularly in protecting spirulina from external factors and achieving an automated ecosystem. The design aims to seamlessly connect urban environments with natural processes, addressing the increasing disconnect between modern living and traditional nature-based practices.

In terms of technical specifications, critical factors for spirulina cultivation include light, temperature, air supply, nutrition, and mixing. These elements not only influence the growth of the algae but also affect the product's final appearance.

The project emerges against a backdrop of a deteriorating supply chain, exacerbated by a growing population and diminishing resources. This decline poses a significant risk of food insecurity. In response, the project presents an algae hydroponic farm designed for home use. This device functions as a homeware item, equipped with an automated ecosystem suitable for individual or family use. Its primary goal is to enable food production in close proximity to consumption points.

Targeted primarily at vegans seeking plant-based food options, the project also appeals to those who wish to transition from pharmaceutical dietary supplements to naturally homegrown alternatives. This innovation not only addresses dietary preferences but also contributes to resolving supply chain challenges by localizing food production.