The Algen-Fassadenreaktor — MINT Engineering project is an innovative biotechnology initiative in Berlin that integrates living microalgae into building facades as a means of generating renewable energy, absorbing carbon dioxide, and producing biomass. Developed as part of Berlin's commitment to exploring unconventional sustainable technologies, the algae facade bioreactor consists of flat-panel photobioreactors mounted on the exterior of buildings, where microalgae grow in thin water layers exposed to sunlight. Through photosynthesis, the algae convert CO₂ and solar energy into biomass, which can subsequently be harvested and processed into biogas, biofuels, or nutritional supplements. The concept gained international attention through the BIQ (Bio Intelligent Quotient) building in Hamburg, and the Berlin implementation by MINT Engineering adapts this technology for the capital's urban context. The project addresses multiple sustainability challenges simultaneously: it reduces building energy demand through solar shading, absorbs atmospheric CO₂, generates renewable bioenergy, and creates a visually distinctive green facade that enhances urban biodiversity and aesthetic quality. MINT Engineering's approach focuses on optimising the bioreactor design for Berlin's climate conditions, including lower winter sunlight levels and temperature fluctuations, and on developing cost-effective maintenance and harvesting systems suitable for large-scale urban deployment. The project connects to Berlin's broader ecosystem of green building innovation and aligns with the city's climate action targets. By demonstrating that building envelopes can function as active biological systems rather than passive barriers, the Algen-Fassadenreaktor contributes to a paradigm shift in how urban architecture interacts with natural processes, positioning Berlin at the forefront of bio-integrated building design in Europe.
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