Diatom Project

Algae Landscape Design Example: The Diatom Project

Designed for the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) by Thomas Laureyssens. The goal of LAGI was to design and construct public art installations that have the added benefit of large scale clean energy generation. Each sculpture would continuously distribute clean energy into the electrical grid, having the potential to provide power to thousands of homes. The 2010 LAGI design competition was held for three sites in the United Arab Emirates and received hundreds of submissions from over 40 countries.

Artist’s descriptive text: The Diatom Project pays homage to the species of algae that generated crude oil, the most important source of energy for our society today. The installation consists of one or more sculptures of an enlarged diatom stone fossil placed on the desert sand. Part of the diatom consists of shaped solar cells, making it an energy producing sculpture. By adding this green technology, this work marks the beginning of an era where renewable forms of energy offer alternatives in balance with nature.

Diatoms are a major group of unicellular algae found in marine and fresh waters as well as damp soils. This microscopic life is part of the elementary basis of the food chain. Powering themselves on photosynthesis, they are encased within an often geometrically patterned cell wall of silica (silicon oxide) called a frustule. Fossil diatoms have been discovered which date from the early Jurassic (185 million years ago), but evidence suggests an origin of approximately 250 million years ago, making diatoms one of the oldest living beings on this planet. Many scientists agree that diatoms might have been the main source of crude oil.

The sculpture is covered by a high strength polycarbonate cover and on the bottom it is held in place by a small concrete foundation. There should be no risk whatsoever for either public or environment. As much as possible, materials and services will be used that are close to the place of installation, as to limit transport costs and C02 emissions. Source: LandArtGenerator.org.