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About

Richard Beckett is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of architecture, biology, and materials science, whose work redefines how living systems can be integrated into the built environment. His primary research areas include animate matter, biofabrication, and large-scale robotic extrusion of living materials. Beckett’s most impactful contribution is the development of a robotic bioprinting technique for algae-laden hydrogels, enabling the creation of large-scale, custom-printed structures for architectural applications—a breakthrough that has garnered 75 citations and was featured as a cover article in *Global Challenges*. This work demonstrates how microalgae can be immobilized within alginate-based hydrogels to produce living, photosynthetic building components. More recently, Beckett co-authored a visionary "Roadmap for animate matter" (2025), which outlines the future of materials that are active, adaptive, and autonomous, drawing direct inspiration from biological systems. His achievements include pioneering the first 1000 × 500 mm fibrous panel robotically extruded with living algae, a milestone that bridges biotechnology and sustainable architecture. Beckett’s research is not only highly cited but also profoundly influential, offering a tangible path toward responsive, eco-friendly construction materials.