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php/modul Navigating Transitions in Green Architecture ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X
NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS IN GREEN ARCHITECTURE: A MULTILEVEL PERSPECTIVE ON PHOTOBIOREACTOR-INTEGRATED
FAyNADES IN INDONESIA Chely Novia Bramiana1*).
Alexis Gerardus Entrop2.
Budi Setyawan3.
Muhammad Ismail Azzam4.
Sukawi5 *) Corresponding author email: chely@lecturer.
Program Studi Teknik Infrastruktur Sipil dan Perancangan Arsitektur.
Departemen Sipil dan Perencanaan.
Sekolah Vokasi.
Universitas Diponegoro.
Indonesia .
Sustainable Areas and Soil Transitions.
Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
Enschede.
Netherlands .
Sekolah Pascasarjana.
Universitas Diponegoro.
Indonesia .
Healthy and Sustainable Built Environment Research Center (HSBERC).
College of Architecture.
Art and Design.
Ajman University.
United Arab Emirates .
Departemen Arsitektur.
Fakultas Teknik.
Universitas Diponegoro.
Indonesia Article info MODUL vol 25 no 2, issues period 2025 Doi : 10.
14710/mdl.
Received : 21 july 2025 Revised : 15 october 2025 Accepted : 20 october 2025 Abstract In tropical countries like Indonesia, architectural design faces the pressing challenge of mitigating excessive heat, humidity, and solar exposure, yet many buildings continue to adopt imported, non-contextual design This study explores the implementation and transitional trajectory of a novel microalgae-based photobioreactor (PBR) window fayadeAian innovation that integrates biological systems into building envelopes for thermal shading, light modulation, and ecological Using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework, this research examines the interplay between niche experimentation, regime-level constraints, and landscape drivers shaping the adoption of green building technologies in Indonesia.
The PBR fayade, developed through a universityAeindustry collaboration and installed in Semarang, demonstrates how architectural innovation can evolve through iterative learning, cross-sector collaboration, and real-environment testing.
However, its broader uptake is constrained by entrenched design norms, lack of regulatory standards, and limited institutional mechanisms for certification.
Landscape pressures such as ESG imperatives and climate adaptation goals offer promising opportunities, but systemic change requires alignment across policy, professional practice, and cultural narratives.
The study contributes a process-oriented roadmap for embedding biologically integrated fayades into the sustainability transition of tropical urban architecture.
Keywords: photobioreactor fayade.
green architecture.
sustainable design.
multi-level perspective.
INTRODUCTION
Architectural design in tropical regions must contend with persistent heat, high humidity, and yearround solar exposure.
These climatic realities call for context-sensitive solutions that prioritize thermal comfort, natural ventilation, and solar control.
However, building practices in Indonesia often replicate imported models from temperate regions without adequate adaptation (Wijaya et al.
, 2.
The widespread use of fully glazed fayades and sealed building envelopes has resulted in excessive reliance on mechanical cooling systems, contributing to elevated energy demand and increased carbon emissions (Ferla et al.
, 2020.
Rizkiyah et al.
, 2.
Although the global discourse on green architecture has gained momentumAidriven by carbon reduction targets.
ESG commitments, and international certification systems such as LEED.
BREEAM, and GreenshipAiits implementation in tropical developing countries remains partial and fragmented.
In Indonesia, green building practices are often limited to pilot projects or high-profile developments.
They have yet to become standard across the broader construction industry (Babalola et al.
, 2024.
Adegbie, 2.
Moreover, the dominant strategies employed tend to be passive, focusing on material efficiency and cross-ventilation.
Chely Novia Bramiana.
Bram Entrop.
Budi Setyawan.
Muhammad Ismail Azzam.
Sukawi ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X while overlooking the potential for biologically integrated, functionally active systems within the building envelope.
This gap presents an opportunity to reconceptualize the boundaries of sustainable design.
Moving beyond conventional green building approaches, the integration of microalgae-based photobioreactor fayades (PBR fayade.
introduces a novel layer of ecological functionality to buildings.
These systemsAi capable of producing biomass, filtering air, and shading interiorsAisignal a shift towards Auliving architecture,Ay where biological processes become integral to building performance and environmental impact mitigation.
This trend aligns with a wider exploration of biomimetic and adaptive fayades that integrate biological or bio-inspired systems (Nwoba et al.
, 2020.
Dyaz et al.
, 2019.
GoyesBalladares et al.
, 2.
This study is grounded in an ongoing real-world initiative involving the design and testing of a windowintegrated PBR fayade system.
Developed through collaboration between academic researchers and a microalgae cultivation industry partner, the prototype has been installed at a working algae production facility in the Uptown district of Semarang.
While Semarang is a coastal city on the northern shore of JavaAicharacterized by high humidity and urban heatAiuptown lies at a higher elevation, offering a microclimate more similar to upland This dual condition provides a valuable context for exploring the system's environmental performance and scalability across diverse tropical urban settings.
However, the development of bio-facade systems like PBR is not solely a technical matter.
Their adoption intersects with institutional inertia, regulatory uncertainty, limited technical expertise, and prevailing aesthetic norms in the architectural profession (Riihiaho et al.
, 2.
These factors raise a broader question that goes beyond performance metrics: can such innovations transcend their experimental origins and be embedded into mainstream building practices? (Kim et al.
, 2.
Addressing this question requires a theoretical framework that accounts for the layered socio-technical dynamics influencing architectural change.
Several frameworks have attempted to explain how innovations emerge and stabilize within design and construction systems.
Technology Acceptance Models emphasize user uptake but are often inadequate in capturing institutional and cultural dimensions.
Design Thinking for Sustainability promotes iterative innovation but tends to focus on project-level interventions without addressing regime-level structures.
In contrast, the MultiLevel Perspective (MLP) offers a systemic view by situating innovation within three interdependent levels:
here novel ideas are incubate.
, regime .
he dominant practices and rule.
, and landscape .
ider societal, economic, and environmental pressure.
(Geels MODUL vol 25 no 2,issues period 2025 in Asquith, 2019.
Babalola et al.
, 2.
MLP is particularly useful in understanding how architectural transitions unfold under overlapping technical, institutional, and cultural influences.
Applying the MLP framework, this study does not aim to assess the technical efficiency of the PBR fayade per se, but rather to map its transition trajectory within IndonesiaAos urban and architectural landscape.
Through a visualized roadmap, we identify four key dynamics: .
the phase of early prototyping and universityAeindustry collaboration (Early Niche Innovation Cluste.
(Yaman & Tokuy, 2.
systemic inertia reflected in dominant design norms and construction practices (Legacy System Cluste.
the emergence of supportive frameworks and the potential for regulatory mainstreaming (Emerging Practice Cluste.
external drivers including energy crises, environmental regulation, and the circular economy (Landscape Pressure.
(Asquith, 2019.
Goyes-Balladares et al.
In doing so, the study contributes a contextual and process-oriented understanding of green architectural innovation in the tropics.
METHOD
This study employs the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework as a conceptual and analytical tool to examine how niche architectural innovationsAi specifically, a photobioreactor (PBR) window systemAi may initiate, interact with, or challenge existing building regimes in IndonesiaAos tropical urban context (Figure .
ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X
PBR Window Fayade Prototype (Case Stud.
Data Collection - Semi-structured interviews - Supporting publications Data Coding & Thematic Analysis - Technical feasibility - Socio-institutional barriers - Alignment with architectural norms MODUL vol 25 no 2,issues period 2025 and public environmental concernAiapply pressure on the These macro developments can destabilize entrenched structures, thereby opening up Auwindows of opportunityAy for niche innovations to scale up and reshape the regime (Asquith, 2.
This theoretical positioning is illustrated in Figure 2, adapted from Geels and modified by Asquith .
, which captures the dynamic interplay between levels over time and the potential for niche innovations to contribute to systemic transitions.
Mapping onto MLP Framework - Niche level .
rototype & experimentatio.
- Regime level .
tandards, regulations, practice.
- Landscape level .
limate imperatives.
ESG, cultural Transition Pathways Analysis - Interaction of Niche Regime Landscape - Visualization (Figures 2Ae.
Fig.
The Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) methodological framework Fig.
The Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework on sustainability transitions from Geels, modified by Asquith .
Theoretical Framework: Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) The Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) is a wellestablished framework in sustainability transition studies, offering a structured way to understand how sociotechnical systems evolve through interactions across three analytical levels: niche, regime, and landscape (Geels, 2002.
Geels & Schot, 2.
At the niche level, radical innovations emerge in protected spaces, allowing actors to experiment and iterate with limited exposure to market, institutional, or cultural resistance.
These niches are essential for developing alternative socio-technical configurations.
architecture, niches can include research-led pilot projects, demonstration fayades, or universityAeindustry collaborations where experimental technologies are fieldtested.
The regime level consists of dominant practices, infrastructures, standards, and institutional logics that stabilize the existing system.
Architectural regimes often include conventional building codes, supply chain relationships, client expectations, and aesthetic preferencesAimany of which resist integration of unconventional systems such as living or bio-integrated fayades.
At the landscape level, exogenous forcesAisuch as global climate imperatives, policy shifts.
ESG regulations.
Analytical Procedure The analytical procedure in this study followed a qualitative, interpretive approach guided by the MultiLevel Perspective (MLP) framework.
The aim was to understand how the PBR window prototype operates not merely as a technological device, but as a niche innovation navigating the complex socio-technical dynamics of the built environment.
Primary empirical material was collected through semi-structured interviews with two key informants:
A Informant 1, a senior researcher in microalgae systems from the authorsAo host institution, with an academic background in environmental science and energy This expert provided insight into the biological performance of the photobioreactor, the environmental implications of microalgae integration, and the potential alignment with sustainable energy and climate A Informant 2, a technical operator from the algae cultivation company where the prototype was installed.
This respondent shared perspectives on practical integration, material compatibility, maintenance challenges, and user engagement during and after the pilot deployment.
The interview transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically, with attention to:
ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X
A Perceived technical feasibility and operational concerns.
A Socio-institutional barriers such as unfamiliarity, risk aversion, and lack of regulation.
A Narratives of alignment or misalignment with prevailing architectural norms, client expectations, and green building discourses.
MODUL vol 25 no 2,issues period 2025 visual and symbolic statement of integration between biological systems and built form.
These insights were then mapped onto the MLP framework, categorizing the empirical findings into three A Niche level: reflections on prototyping, learning processes, and protective experimentation.
A Regime level: responses from institutional actors and infrastructure constraints.
A Landscape level: interpretations of broader climate imperatives.
ESG trends, and IndonesiaAos urban vulnerability.
To strengthen the robustness of the analysis, the interview data were further contextualized by scientific publications on photobioreactor applications, green architecture or green building, and energy systems.
This combination of field-based insight and theoretical anchoring enabled a situated reading of the PBR window as a sustainability innovation in the early stages of sociotechnical transition.
It also provided the basis for constructing the transition diagram in the Results section, which visualizes the shifting interactions among niche practices, regime logics, and landscape pressures.
RESULTS
This section presents the results of applying the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework to analyze the development and implementation of the PBR-integrated fayade.
PBR Window Fayade as Niche Innovation in MLP Framework The foundation of this study lies in the development and implementation of a photobioreactor (PBR) window fayade prototype, which serves as the niche innovation baseline explored throughout this transition analysis.
The system was designed to integrate microalgae cultivation into a buildingAos envelope, combining thermal shading, daylight modulation, and ecological performance into a single architectural component.
Installed in 2024 at the front fayade of an algae cultivation office in uptown area of Semarang.
Central Java.
Indonesia, the PBR panel occupies one of the vertical glass sections of a double-glazed window (Figure The green hue is a result of microalgae biomass suspended in a sealed fluid medium.
Light entering through the fayade is filtered, and heat gain is mitigated while allowing partial visibility.
In addition to demonstrating functional capacity, the fayade serves as a Fig 3.
Installation view of the photobioreactor fayade system, representing the baseline niche innovation in this study.
Based on findings from field interviews and supporting documentation, the development of the PBR fayade system illustrates how architectural innovation can take root through niche experimentationAiparticularly in contexts where environmental performance and material agency are increasingly central to design thinking.
This early-stage initiative demonstrates a departure from conventional fayade logic, where building skins are typically conceived as passive barriers.
In contrast, the PBR system embraces an ecological function, transforming the fayade into a biologically active, responsive membrane (Sedighi et al.
, 2023.
Yaman et al.
This shift reflects a growing architectural interest in performative envelopesAithose that not only modulate light and temperature but also engage in environmental processes such as carbon sequestration, biomass generation, and microclimate mediation (Vardapetyan et , 2.
The niche innovation process was also shaped by a transdisciplinary collaboration between academic designers and practitioners in the local algae cultivation This partnership bridged distinct knowledge domains: architectural design and environmental Through this collaboration, the prototype was not developed in abstraction, but embedded in a functioning building contextAisituated within a working algae facility in Uptown Semarang.
The siteAos elevated microclimate and real-use conditions offered an authentic platform for experimentation, enabling the system to be evaluated as a working fayade, not merely a lab model.
Such integration of prototyping into built environments is critical for advancing architectural transitions towards sustainability, as it allows for dialogue between design intent, technical constraints, and operational feedback.
ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X
Moreover, the innovation journey was characterized by iterative learningAiboth material and Issues such as algae stability, heat transmission, fluid clarity, and visual permeability prompted a series of adjustments during and after installation (Talaei, 2.
(Vardapetyan et al.
, 2.
These iterations were not limited to technical fixes but extended to questions of aesthetics, integration with glazing systems, and perceptions of maintenance among In this way, the process not only yielded a functioning component but also produced architectural knowledge about how living systems might inhabit, transform, and re-signify conventional building elements (Geels, 2.
MODUL vol 25 no 2,issues period 2025 However, in tropical climates such as Indonesia, this approach leads to increased thermal loads and reliance on mechanical cooling systems.
As documented by (Nurdiani & Zahran, 2.
and (Rahim et al.
, 2.
such design preferences contribute significantly to high operational energy demand and reduced environmental performance in urban buildings.
The current regime has not yet accommodated bio-integrated fayade technologies like PBR systems.
Existing building codes do not provide specific provisions for the installation (Ayuni, 2.
, performance assessment (Harahap, 2.
, or maintenance of fayade-integrated microalgae systems.
Additionally, green building certification systems such as Greenship do not explicitly recognize or award points for innovations of this kind.
As a result, architects and developers lack normative and regulatory support to adopt these systems into formal projects.
Fig 4.
Early Niche Innovation Cluster of the PBR fayade within the MLP framework.
The diagram illustrates the sequential logic of experimentation: starting from conceptual departure from passive fayades, moving through academic-industry prototyping, and culminating in site-based learning The relationships among these early-stage processesAiexperimentation building logic, pilot collaboration, and iterative design learningAiare visually mapped in Figure 4, which situates the project within the niche level of a broader sustainability transition trajectory.
Regime-Level Constraints to the Integration of the PBR Facade The integration of photobioreactor (PBR) fayades into building envelopes remains constrained by the dominant structures of IndonesiaAos current architectural and construction systems.
Within the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework, the regime level consists of existing design standards, institutional routines, construction supply chains, professional cultures, and building regulations.
These elements collectively form a stable system that is resistant to unconventional architectural approaches.
In the Indonesian context, the architectural regime continues to prioritize sealed glass fayades, which are often perceived as symbols of modernity and commercial Fig.
Positioning of the PBR fayade system in relation to the legacy regime cluster.
Figure 5 shows the position of the PBR innovation within the socio-technical regime.
The legacy system cluster includes conventional passive fayade models, limited cross-disciplinary knowledge in architecture regarding biological systems, and the absence of technical standards for hybrid fayade types.
These regime-level conditions were confirmed during interviews with two key stakeholders: a microalgae researcher from the environmental energy sciences field and a representative from the algae industry partner where the prototype was installed.
Both emphasized that the current building system lacks mechanisms for integrating fayade systems that involve biological maintenance, fluid dynamics, and lightAegrowth In conclusion, the analysis indicates that the PBR fayade system faces several structural barriers at the regime level.
First, there is currently no established design standard or safety guideline that accommodates biologically integrated fayades.
This regulatory absence creates uncertainty for architects and developers who may otherwise be willing to adopt such systems.
Second, institutional mechanisms for performance validationAi ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X such as durability testing, energy efficiency rating, or environmental impact assessmentAiremain unavailable for fayade-integrated bioreactors.
Without these mechanisms, innovations such as the PBR fayade cannot be formally assessed or certified within existing building Third, the integration of environmental technologies into mainstream design practice remains Architectural workflows and procurement systems continue to prioritize conventional materials and mechanical systems, leaving little room for novel components that require cross-disciplinary coordination.
These regime-level conditions suggest that, despite its demonstrated functional potential at the prototype scale, the PBR fayade still operates outside the formalized structures of the Indonesian building sector.
As such, its diffusion remains constrained, and its development is limited to isolated or research-driven applications rather than being positioned for broader institutional uptake.
Landscape Pressures and Opportunities for the PBR Window Beyond regime-level development and future uptake of the PBR window system are influenced by broader structural changes occurring at the landscape level.
Within the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), the landscape level refers to longterm, macro-scale developments that are generally beyond the control of individual actors but shape the context in which regimes and niches evolve.
These include global environmental shifts, policy frameworks, energy crises, and shifting market expectationsAiall of which exert pressure on established systems and can create openings for innovation.
In the case of Indonesia and other tropical developing countries, at least three key landscape developments are relevant to the trajectory of biointegrated architectural systems like the PBR fayade.
First, increasing concerns about energy efficiency and climate resilience in the building sector are prompting both government and private developers to reconsider carbon-intensive designs (Berawi et al.
, 2.
The national net-zero target and rising urban temperaturesAi exacerbated by urban heat island effectsAiare aligning public discourse more closely with green building narratives (Liu et al.
, 2.
Second, the global rise of ESG (Environmental.
Social, and Governanc.
criteria and climate-related financial disclosures is starting to influence investment decisions in the construction and real estate sectors.
Although still limited in scale, there is growing interest among developers and policymakers in infrastructure that meets not only energy benchmarks but also ecological and social indicators (Ye et al, 2.
MODUL vol 25 no 2,issues period 2025 Third, emerging movements in sustainable design cultureAiincluding regenerative architecture, circular construction, and nature-based solutionsAiare gradually influencing architectural education and discourse in Southeast Asia.
These shifts, although more pronounced in global north contexts, are slowly being adapted into local frameworks and present cultural momentum for more integrative design strategies.
These pressures are mapped in Figure 4, which shows how external forces act upon the existing regime, shaping the conditions under which niche innovations such as the PBR fayade may either flourish or stagnate.
Fig.
Positioning of the PBR fayade system in relation to the landscape drivers.
Figure 6.
Landscape-level drivers that influence the potential integration of PBR window systems within the MLP framework.
The figure highlights the convergence between climate imperatives, economic transformation, and design culture shifts.
However, it is important to note that landscape pressures do not automatically lead to transformation.
Without strong institutional alignment and policy translation, these pressures may remain abstract or fail to influence built environment practices directly.
In interviews conducted for this study, respondents from both academia and industry acknowledged the symbolic weight of green agendas, but also highlighted the gap between discourse and operational frameworks.
In summary, while landscape-level change provides important enabling conditions, the translation of these drivers into concrete support for innovations like the PBR window system still requires coordinated action across regulatory, professional, and educational domains.
These external pressures may accelerate regime adaptation or open protected spaces for niche expansion, but only if aligned with internal mechanisms for change.
Transitional Pathways of the PBR Window System Following the detailed examination of niche, regime, and landscape levels, this section synthesizes how interactions across these levels contribute to the transitional trajectory of the photobioreactor (PBR) window system.
Within the Multi-Level Perspective ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X (MLP), transitions are not driven by a single level but result from dynamic interactions between levels over timeAiespecially when landscape pressures destabilize the regime, and niche innovations are sufficiently mature to be considered viable alternatives.
The current study observes three main inter-level dynamics relevant to the PBR fayade development:
First, there is evidence of bottom-up pressure from the niche level.
The experimental deployment of the PBR windowAiconducted universityAeindustry collaborationAihas created a precedent for how biological systems can be embedded into building Though still operating at a limited scale, the prototype introduces new design vocabulary and ecological performance considerations into architectural Second, the regime has shown limited but identifiable responsive shifts.
While mainstream design remains bound to conventional material systems, there are isolated interestsAiespecially among environmentally aware developers and progressive architectsAithat indicate potential for future alignment.
The regime, however, continues to lack codified tools, standards, or incentives for scaling bio-integrated technologies.
Third, landscape-level pressuresAiincluding ESG policies, climate adaptation targets, and the global rise of regenerative design principlesAiare exerting increasing influence on both public discourse and institutional These pressures are capable of indirectly altering regime structures by redefining funding priorities, reshaping investor expectations, and reframing what counts as innovation in architecture and urban These relationships are visualized in Figure 5, which presents the full MLP diagram with inter-level and intra-level arrows connecting niche, regime, and landscape elements.
Arrows indicate not only directional influence but also potential pathways of diffusion, conflict, or institutional translation.
Fig.
MLP diagram of the PBR window system with full inter-level and intra-level arrows.
The visualization in figure 7 highlights how niche experiments, regime constraints, and landscape pressures MODUL vol 25 no 2,issues period 2025 interact and overlap across the phases of sustainability From this integrated view, the PBR window system can be seen as situated at a transitional intersection: it emerges from niche experimentation, interacts with a stable but partially receptive regime, and is increasingly supported by converging landscape However, the actual realization of system-wide change depends on whether connections among these levels can be stabilizedAithrough institutional innovation, policy incentives, and standard-setting In summary, the visual model reinforces the interpretation that while the PBR fayade system has not yet reached widespread adoption, it is no longer operating in isolation.
Its success in contributing to the green building transition will depend on the consolidation of cross-level support structures and the formal recognition of bio-integrated design as part of sustainable architectural practice in tropical urban environments.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that the photobioreactor (PBR) window fayade system represents a promising yet early-stage sustainability innovation within IndonesiaAos architectural landscape.
Positioned at the intersection of environmental engineering and architectural design, the PBR fayade challenges conventional building envelopes by introducing a living, performative component capable of ecological contribution.
The MLP framework reveals that while niche-level experimentation has yielded functional and symbolic breakthroughs, systemic regime constraintsAisuch as regulatory gaps, entrenched aesthetics, and institutional inertiaAicontinue to inhibit broader adoption.
Nonetheless, the growing influence of landscapelevel drivers, including ESG frameworks, climate policy, and shifts in sustainable design culture, suggests a slowly emerging window of opportunity.
The potential for regime transformation hinges on the stabilization of cross-level connections: the translation of niche insights into policy instruments, the development of technical standards for bio-fayades, and the mainstreaming of ecological performance within architectural practice.
This study did not fully assess the long-term energy performance, lifecycle impacts, or potential for scaling PBR fayades across different building types.
These aspects represent important avenues for future Moreover, policy-oriented studies are needed to explore how certification systems and regulatory standards could accommodate biologically integrated fayades.
Addressing these gaps would strengthen the institutional and cultural foundation for embedding living architecture into mainstream sustainable urban
ISSN (P)0853-2877 (E) 2598-327X
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research received funding from the Kedaireka Matching Fund under A3 Cooperation On Thematic Innovation Product De-velopment Programme Scheme 281/PKS/D.
D4/PPK.
APTV/VII/2024, provided by the Directorate General of Vocational Education.
Ministry of Education.
Republic of Indonesia, in the fiscal year 2024.
REFERENCES