Comparative Parametric Methods for Designing Bio-receptive Interfaces

In recent years, bio-receptivity has gained increasing attention within regenerative practices. In the built environment, bio-receptive façades function as living interfaces that sustain cryptogamic and microbial growth, thus reshaping ecological interactions in urban areas. Although bio-receptivity has been studied by scientists for decades, architects and designers now play a critical role in advancing its application. This study investigates key parameters influencing bio-receptivity, including surface patterning, substrate composition, fabrication methods, and spatial orientation. Parametric geometries were computationally developed to enhance hydrodynamic performance, while material variations were evaluated for their capacity to support moisture retention and biological attachment. The prototypes were produced through an integrated workflow that combined subtractive, additive and formative manufacturing processes, and subsequently inoculated with a selected cryptogamic–microbial culture to examine growth dynamics. The research culminated in a nine-month full-scale installation entitled SPIKA , exhibited at the Milan Triennale, serving as a public demonstrator of bio-digital fabrication and ecological integration.