Reclaimed Soils
Bacterial blocks from war contaminated soils.
Reclaimed Soils reframes Colombia’s war-scarred landscapes by using contaminated soil as both material and medium for remembrance. Decades of conflict have left the land polluted with residues from explosives and heavy metals, damaging ecosystems and communities.
Through biomineralisation – specifically Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) – soil from conflict zones is transformed into bioremediating blocks. Using Sporosarcina pasteurii, a bacterium that binds particles and immobilises toxins like lead and zinc, the process creates sustainable building materials.
Each block becomes a symbol of trauma and renewal, merging biotechnology, cultural memory, and restorative design to support ecological healing and community reconstruction.
Ana Bejarano Olano
abejaranoolano@gmail.com
abejaranoolano.com
@_abejarano_