| What if every building you entered felt like walking into a forest? |

This installation recreates a forest-derived atmosphere in the built environment through “leaves” seeded with safe, beneficial microorganisms, aromatics rich in forest phytoncides, and immersive soundscapes sampled from canopy to soil—offering a provocation about what it means to breathe living indoor air.

Inspired by an expedition into the old-growth forest at Bard College in upstate New York, this research seeded the vision behind Forest Aerobiome: exploring how fragments of forest life might one day be thoughtfully reintroduced into built spaces to support wellbeing.

We are engaging microorganisms applied to the surfaces of the hanging leaves, alongside aromatics, sound, and video to mimic the experience of walking through forests.

Metrics to gather during the two day installation:

Non-refrigerated microbial encapsulation delivery systems

• Viability at 24h and 48h

• Stability under exhibit conditions

• Spore reactivation (B. megaterium)

• Encapsulation integrity

• Contamination control

Experiential Outcome: Proving Psychobiotic and Emotional Effects

• Self-reported mood change

• Heart rate / HRV (optional)

• Time spent in installation

• Facial affect (optional)

• Language & tone