The extreme environment is closer than you think the ARCHI-SKIN concept for the protection of building facades

The global average temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5C within the next few decades, which will affect all regions of the World. Earth is already facing extreme global weather conditions, such as heavy precipitation and heat waves, which will recently become more apparent, frequent, widespread, and intense. By 2050 the global population will rise to 9.7 billion people who will need a place to live. Over half of the world's inhabitants live in cities occupying buildings exposed to environmental and biotic degradation. Architectonic coatings enhance the functional and aesthetical durability of building materials by protecting their surface. Consequently, paints and coating applied on the exterior of a residence, or a commercial building not only add to the aesthetics of the structure but also defend it against heat, UV, harsh winters, soaking rain, and other adverse weather conditions. The commonly used surface treatments consist of mineral oil binders and many environmentally unwanted ingredients, therefore environmentally friendly alternatives are within the interest of architects, constructors and end-users. The ARCHI-SKIN project takes a bio-inspired approach and aims to generate completely new solutions for architectural coatings. A prototype microbial coating based on biofilm built by the ubiquitous, yeast-like, oligotroph fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans is under development. The concept is based on a technically applicable, controlled, and optimized biofilm formation that effectively protects the substrate surfaces, assuring optimal service life performance and different functionalities including self-healing. This contribution presents ambitions, challenges, and first results related to the development of a living coating system for architectonic surfaces.