Building Biospheric reimagined architecture as a living organishm – a structure that breathes, grows, and sustains life. The task was to design a self-sustaining, biospheric architectural complex that provide shelter for both humans and the ecosystems they coexist with. This involved creating systems that are entirely independent of traditional infrastructure, such as energy grids, centralized waste treatment or industrial food production. The focus was on achieving complete circularity, where material and energy flows are fully integrated and self- sustaining. Students received a detailed brief of the systems before being tasked with integrating them into an existing building that can no longer fulfill its intended function. The goal was to design an architectural complex that is a closed- loop, efficient and permeable system, which not only supports human needs but also nurtures the surrounding environment, fostering a deep interdependence between architecture and nature.

Working in groups, the participants creatively repurposed contemporary churches in Innsbruck, adapting and expanding them into thriving, self-sustaining ecosystems. The studio provided guidance to develop design solutions that address environmental, social and technical challenges on an architectural scale.