Algae Movin’ On Up – On a High Rise, That Is

Joanna Schroeder

ecotower1The next time you work for a company that goes bankrupt, consider pitching them this idea to generate income: an Eco-Pod. The Eco-Pod, designed by Howeler + Yoon Architecture and Squared Design Lab, is a cutting edge way to grow algae to be used to create fuel. The firm designed the concept as a way to help stimulate the economy and ecology of downtown Boston after famed clothing store Filene’s basement went bankrupt before completing the building of its newest location.

Eco-Pod is a temporary vertical algae bio-reactor and new public Commons, built with custom prefabricated modules. According to an article published in Design Magazine, the pods will serve as bio-fuel sources as well as micro-incubators for flexible research and development programs.

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In a ‘pod’ robotic arms continually re-arrange the pods, which are powered by the micro-algae that is being produced, to ensure that the growing conditions for the each pod are always optimized.

Many experts believe that algae has the most promise as a way to produce a significant amount of biodiesel or green gas. Some of its advantages include the ability to grow in vertical structures or non arable land, doesn’t need fertilizer and uses little water.

algae, Biodiesel