From genome to form: A biomimetic installation in motion

Abstract

The intersection of biology and architecture has become increasingly relevant in the context of sustainability, technological integration, and the search for adaptive and intelligent systems within the built environment. Biomimetics offers a powerful framework for translating the functions and processes of natural organisms into design solutions that can enhance architectural performance (Benyus, 1997). However, while formal analogies with nature have been well explored, there remains a gap in applying biological regulatory systems—such as genetic networks—as direct models for spatial and behavioural design. This article addresses that gap by examining Musical Morphogenesis, a biomimetic and interactive installation developed between 2014 and 2017. The project is centred on the gene regulatory network of Arabidopsis thaliana, a well-studied model organism in plant biology (Meyerowitz, 1997). The research investigates how computational simulations of gene activation patterns can inform the development of kinetic architectural systems capable of self-organization, responsiveness, and expressive interaction. The primary aim of this research is to explore how architectural elements can embody the logic of genetic development, transforming molecular pathways into motion, light, and sound. The study is driven by the question: How can gene regulatory networks be translated into performative, interactive spatial systems that reflect biological complexity? To answer this, the project integrates a Boolean logic-based gene model into a physical structure composed of CNC-fabricated components, pneumatic actuators, LED lighting, and an interactive touchscreen interface. The methodology involves interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, computational biology, engineering, and music composition, resulting in a system where user interactions can influence developmental pathways and trigger morphological changes in real time. The key contribution of this work lies in its demonstration that biological computation can serve not only as inspiration but as a functional blueprint for architectural design. By making genetic dynamics tangible and interactive, Musical Morphogenesis presents a novel approach to biomimetic design that bridges scientific modelling and spatial expression within the broader framework of biodigital architecture.