Drawing on experimental observations of NASA scientists, French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and scientist David Edwards have created a new form of air filter which passes dirty air past absorptive surfaces of plants, thereby improving the capacity of plants to absorb noxious gases and particles.
NASA scientists found that certain kinds of plants could act as natural filters, absorbing – and ultimately metabolizing – gases via their leaves and root systems. Domestic settings today resemble the spaceships of yesterday – poisoned by dangerous levels of fine particles and toxic gases that derive from plastics, glass, insulating materials and other materials commonly found in modern homes. Each synthetic object emits gases that derive from its manufacturing process.
A wooden table may expire pentachlorophenol related to the use of fungicides, a painted surface the carcinogen trichloroethylene, a plastic chair formaldehyde. Added to these are the innumerable tiny nanoparticles of insoluble organic and inorganic material that circulate in modern environments.
Bel-Air is conceived for domestic use, a kind of living filter that absorbs and metabolizes noxious chemicals and particles from the air that circulates in our homes. Bel-Air is designed to integrate various plants with natural absorptive properties, such as spider plants. The final design optimizes the filtration capacity of leaves, roots, soil and plant water to achieve a first Laboratoire artscience innovation.
David Edwards has initiated Le Laboratoire in October 2006.
Le Laboratoire is a new innovation catalyst in the heart of Paris where pioneering artists and scientists collaborate to create new forms of art and design around an annual theme.
« Bel-Air (News About a Second Atmosphere) » is an exhibition presented at the 'Laboratoire' until January 14 2008.
« Bel-Air » will also be shown at the MoMA (New York) at the exhibition « Design and Elastic mind » in February 2008.
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