Living Homes: Anna Vershinina & Wieger Wamelink's ExoGarden for Climate Resilience

Breaking the Wall of Regenerative Living Homes

Winner Interview 2024: Art & Science

Discover the groundbreaking ExoGarden project by Anna Vershinina and Wieger Wamelink, aimed at tackling climate-induced displacement and unsustainable building practices. By integrating 3D-printed homes with bioregenerative life support systems, ExoGarden creates sustainable, inclusive habitats where humans and nature thrive together. This innovative approach redefines living spaces and fosters a deeper connection to our environment, paving the way for a resilient and adaptable future. In this exclusive interview with Anna Vershinina, we explore the visionary ExoGarden project and its potential to reshape sustainable living and our connection to the environment.

Which wall does your research or project break?
Climate change is making many regions of the Earth uninhabitable, and it is projected to displace over 140 million people by 2050. This looming migration crisis demands urgent solutions that can swiftly provide shelter and food in extreme, resource-scarce environments. ExoGarden aims to break the wall of climate-induced displacement by offering resilient living solutions that support both human and non-human life, while bioremediating the environment.

To achieve this, we must dismantle the wall of unsustainable building practices that contribute 40% of total carbon dioxide emissions and generate a third of global waste annually. ExoGarden explores 3D printing homes with locally sourced, sustainable materials to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact. Our approach enhances material, labor, and energy efficiency, while accelerating construction and minimizing waste.

Moreover, ExoGarden shatters the wall of species-exclusionary design. Modern design often excludes other species, relegating nature to decorative house plants or pets. ExoGarden changes this approach by introducing bioregenerative life support systems into homes, creating ecosystems where humans and other organisms thrive together. Inspired by space technology, these systems foster a balanced environment where every organism’s metabolism supports the health of the whole system. The first ExoGarden prototype, showcased at MU Hybrid Art House in Eindhoven, featured a partial ecosystem where earthworms composted organic waste and aerated the soil. The structure's bioreceptive surface nurtured microorganisms that enhanced bioremediation, biodiversity, and plant growth. Humans could eat the plants grown within this system and, with further development, contribute to fertilizing the soil through their metabolic byproducts, creating a balanced and self-sustaining environment.

Despite extensive research into biotechnologies, there has been little effort to integrate these innovations into everyday homes. ExoGarden breaks this wall by emphasizing the aesthetic qualities of these technologies and designing infrastructure that could seamlessly fit them into any home. Our first prototype, exemplifies this approach. It showcases a beautiful, functional structure, inhabited by microbes, worms, and plants, which could be further developed to house humans and other species.

By addressing the barriers of climate-induced displacement, wasteful architecture, and the lack of biotechnology integration into homes, ExoGarden sets new standards for sustainable living. This innovative project ensures a resilient and adaptable future for humanity, combining visionary research with practical applications. ExoGarden aims to transform how we inhabit our planet and explore new frontiers.  
 

What are the three main goals of your research or project?
As climate change continues to displace more individuals and communities, the ExoGarden team aims to provide solutions for rebuilding homes and growing food with sustainable infrastructure. Our long-term goal is to develop habitats that are energy-, material-, and labor-efficient, incorporating living organisms and biotechnologies to adapt to resource-scarce settings. Beyond their practical benefits, these habitats are designed to be aesthetically engaging, fostering a deep connection with nature. We aim to gradually integrate features of the ExoGarden project into existing homes, both in areas heavily impacted by climate change and those not yet significantly affected. By proactively implementing sustainable solutions, we can ensure a smoother transition to eco-friendly living and reduce overall environmental impact.

The second goal of ExoGarden is to promote a shift in how we perceive and interact with our environment. Modern wasteful practices in construction, business, and politics have led to unsustainable living conditions and environmental degradation. Humans have lost sight of our intrinsic connection to the ecosystem. ExoGarden aims to restore this consciousness by designing habitats that remind us of our dependence on other species. Through the integration of bioregenerative life support systems, ExoGarden creates biodiverse and self-sustaining ecosystems within these habitats. Each organism—human, microbial, plant, and animal—plays a vital role, contributing to bioremediation, boosting biodiversity, optimizing resource use, and recycling waste locally. This interconnectedness ensures that every element of the ecosystem benefits and supports the others, promoting a balanced and sustainable environment. By consciously cohabiting with other species, ExoGarden not only provides practical solutions but also inspires a profound shift towards sustainable living, fostering a future where humanity thrives alongside the natural world.

The third goal of ExoGarden is to make scientific knowledge accessible and inspire collective action towards sustainability. To achieve this, we give lectures and workshops. We have showcased our first prototype as a bio-art installation, offering an explanation of the research involved in its development, and published an engaging comic book. The comic book tells the story of three characters who navigate the harsh realities of climate change—extreme cold, extreme heat, and life in space. They introduce ExoGardens as a revolutionary infrastructure and way of life that harmonizes with nature and utilizes local materials.

Through these creative initiatives, we aim to attract more scientists, artists, enthusiasts, and investors, building a vibrant network of individuals committed to contributing to the project. By fostering a deeper connection with our environment, we strive to drive meaningful change and inspire a new generation dedicated to building a resilient and sustainable future.
 

What advice would you give to young scientists or students interested in pursuing a career in research, or to your younger self starting in science?
To young scientists or students interested in pursuing a career in research, or to my younger self starting in science, I would offer the following advice:

Embrace Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

When confronting the challenges that the world is facing, it is impossible to work in isolation and stick to a single discipline if we want to make significant progress. Collaboration across different disciplines is not just beneficial but essential. Engage with people from diverse backgrounds—scientific, cultural, artistic—and be open to their perspectives. Attend conferences, interdisciplinary workshops, and participate in collaborative research projects. This cross-pollination of ideas fosters creativity and drives breakthroughs in ways you might not anticipate. Plus, you'll meet amazing people along the way who can become lifelong friends and collaborators!

Tell a Compelling Story:

It is crucial to communicate your research in a way that is relatable and compelling to everyone. Make your ideas accessible to a wide audience by using various formats and platforms. Whether through comic books, art installations, or digital media, telling the right story can capture people's interest and inspire them. A compelling narrative makes complex concepts understandable and relevant, encouraging engagement and support. When people connect with your story, they become invested in your work, adding new perspectives and contributing to its growth and impact. Remember, a good story can turn science into magic!

Be Kind to Yourself and Others, and Have Fun:

In the pursuit of scientific and research goals, it's essential to be kind to yourself and others. Research can be demanding and stressful, so taking care of your mental and physical well-being is crucial. Be patient with your progress, and don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Celebrate small victories and learn from setbacks.

Also, remember to enjoy the journey. Curiosity and passion drive scientific discovery, but so should joy and fun. Find what excites you, even if it seems challenging, and let that passion fuel your work. After all, science is not just about solving problems; it's about exploring the unknown and having a blast along the way!  
 

What inspired you to be in the profession you are today?
After completing my education in architecture, I was fortunate to meet inspiring mentors like my PhD supervisor, Rachel Armstrong, who encouraged me to step beyond traditional boundaries set within the discipline. This ultimately led me to collaborate with artists and scientists to create a synthesis of both fields that conveys meaningful research. 
 

What impact does your research or project have on society?
The ExoGarden project offers a vision of a home that goes beyond contemporary sustainability norms, reshaping our thinking, habits, and values. It welcomes new ideas and contributors who will ultimately help transform this vision into a tangible, eco-friendly habitat. 
 

What is one surprising fact about your research or project that people might not know?
The surprising fact about the ExoGarden project is that the bio-art installation exhibited at MU Hybrid Art House is not a finished product. It represents the first stepping stone of a much larger research endeavor, aimed at eventually developing into a fully functioning eco-friendly home. 
 

What’s the most exciting moment you've experienced over the course of your research or project?
The most exciting moment of our research was seeing the completion of the bio-art installation exhibited at MU Hybrid Art House. It took tremendous effort from our interdisciplinary team, but witnessing our vision come to life and the positive reception it received made it all worthwhile.