Ecologic Studio , in collaboration with Hyundai Motors , has designed a 10-meter-high sculpture for the “Habitat One” exhibition. The “Tree One” project combines artificial and biological intelligence.

The shell of this sculpture, partially 3D printed by Nagami, acts as a carbon sink, trapping the CO2 captured in its ornamental structure and in turn releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

It integrates 40 glass photobioreactors that house 500 liters of live Cyanidium algae cultures. These bioreactors can capture as much carbon dioxide as 12 large trees, the equivalent of a small urban forest.

Producing "Tree One" as a carbon-neutral, zero-waste structure required the creation of a global information system for a remote manufacturing process using industrial robots and large-scale 3D printing machines. In addition, custom software and hardware were developed to fine-tune the morphology and printing process.