Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde is exploring the bio-luminescent qualities of jellyfish, fireflies and mushrooms to make glowing trees. One day, these glow-in-the-dark trees could very well replace street lights.
Biomimicry is the study of using systems found in nature to solve complicated design issues. By studying how some plants and animals generate their own light, Roosegaarde would be able to recreate the bio-luminescent qualities in trees.
Roosegaarde worked with Alexander Krichevsky’s firm Bioglow that unveiled genetically modified glow-in-the-dark plants earlier this year. The glowing plants are created by splicing DNA from luminescent marine bacteria to the chloroplast genome of more common plants.
Roosegaarde is proposing a large-scale installation of these plants; he says, "I mean, come on, it will be incredibly fascinating to have these energy-neutral but at the same time incredibly poetic landscapes."
Bioluminescent Street Lights
Daan Roosegaarde Believes Glowing Trees Could Replace Street Lights
Trend Themes
1. Biomimicry for Bio-luminescence - Exploring the use of bio-luminescent qualities from nature to create glowing trees.
2. Genetically Modified Plants - Developing glow-in-the-dark plants through genetic modification.
3. Energy-neutral Landscapes - Creating poetic landscapes that are both energy-neutral and aesthetically pleasing.
Industry Implications
1. Sustainable Lighting - Opportunity to revolutionize traditional street lighting systems using bio-luminescent trees.
2. Biotechnology - Potential for advancements in genetic modification techniques for creating functional plants.
3. Urban Planning and Design - Incorporating innovative and visually striking elements into urban landscapes to create unique environments.