Wallpaper 10

SYNOPSIS

The Synthetic Apiary explored the

possibility of a controlled space

in which seasonal honeybees can

thrive year-round. Light, humidity,

and temperature were engineered

to simulate a perpetual spring

e n v i r o n m e n t. B e e s w e r e p r o v i d e d

with synthetic pollen and sugared

water, and evaluated regularly

for health and wellbeing. In this

initial experiment, humans and

honeybees co-habitated, enabling

natural cultivation in an artificial

space across scales, from organism-

to building-scale. In the apiary,

the queen’s biological cycle

adapted to the new environment,

which induced egg laying. These

bees existed only in the Synthetic

Apiary, but as adult bees were

a b l e t o f u n c t i o n n o r m a l l y i n t h e i r

natural environment with their

innate behavior repertoires. The

project also saw the first birth

of a bee in a synthetic environment;

the only life the bee knew was of

an existence in the Synthetic Apiary.

DESCRIPTION

The Synthetic Apiary bridged the

organism and building scale by

exploring a ‘keystone species’, bees.

We investigated the cohabitation of

humans and bees through a controlled

atmosphere and observation of

resulting behaviours. The project

applied our ongoing research

into biologically augmented digital

fabrication with silkworms

and eusocial insect communities to

product, architectural, and

p o s s i b l y u r b a n , s c a l e s. M a n y i n s e c t

communities present collective

behaviour known as ‘swarming’,

prioritising group over individual

survival, while constantly working

t o a c h i e v e c o m m o n g o a l s. O f t e n ,

groups of these eusocial organisms

leverage collaborative behaviour

for relatively large-scale

construction. For example, ants

create extremely complex networks

by tunnelling, wasps generate

intricate paper nests with materials

sourced from local areas, and

bees deposit wax to build intricate

hive structures. 

Honeybees are ideal model organisms

because of the historical interplay

between their communities and

humans. Bees, as agents of cross-

pollination, are an essential part

of our agricultural production.

Without them, we would not have the

fruits and the vegetables that

nourish our lives. Natural honeybee

hives can house tens of thousands

of insects, all working together

a s p r e s c r i b e d b y a s o c i a l d i v i s i o n

of labour. Large-scale hives

are made of beeswax and are used

for food storage and brood

development, as well as shelter.

A s o f n o w, c o m p a r a t i v e l y l i t t l e

is known about what factors

influence the form and structure

of hives, though several recent

p r o j e c t s h a v e e x p l o r e d u s i n g b e e s

as builders or ‘fabricators’ in

collaboration with humans.

The massive decline in bees

worldwide, due to various factors

affecting bee health, such as

agricultural chemicals, disease,

and habitat loss, has raised

alarm. As such, the cultivation of

bees, the education about their

health, and the advancement of non-

standard bee environments has

become increasingly important

for their survival, and for ours.

Our architectural experiment

incorporated several technological

and biological investigations,

and provided a set-up for behavioural

experiments regarding both bee

fabrication capabilities and health.

At the core of this project was

the creation of an entirely synthetic

environment enabling controlled,

large-scale investigations of

hives. The fact that the queen had

laid eggs in the apiary indicates

a successful combination of

temperature, humidity, light, and

nutrition. This proved the ability

to shift the entire cycle of bee

behaviour, out of winter mode

and into spring mode, and was the

first demonstration of sustainable

l i f e i n a c o m p l e t e l y s y n t h e t i c

apiary. The long-term goal is to

integrate biology into a new kind

of architectural environment,

and thereby the city, for the benefit

o f h u m a n s a n d e u s o c i a l o r g a n i s m s.

CREDITS

Research and design by the Mediated

Matter Group at the MIT Media Lab

in collaboration with The Best Bees

C o m p a n y, D r N o a h W i l s o n - R i c h ,

Philip Norwood, Jessica O’Keefe,

R a c h e l D i a z - G r a n a d o s; D r J a m e s

Weaver (Wyss Institute); Dr Anne

Madden (North Carolina State

University); Andy and Susan Magdanz

and Daniel Maher. Mediated Matter

researchers include Markus Kayser,

Sunanda Sharma, Jorge Duro-Royo,

Christoph Bader, Dominik Kolb and

group director Neri Oxman.

With thanks to the Mori Building

Company, the Mori Art Museum

and Loftworks.

Micrograph of honeybee wing

Photography: Sunanda Sharma.
C o u r t e s y o f N e r i O x m a n a n d
The Mediated Matter Group,
MIT Media Lab

Micrograph of honey

SYNTHETIC APIARY
2015–2016

Matter

Honeycomb

Media

Environmental templating

Organism

Apis mellifera (honeybee)

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