A biotechnological landscape brings the biodiversity of the Alps into the Gelato of the future
ecoLogicStudio with the Synthetic Landscape Lab at Innsbruck University and The Ne[s]t presents Glacial Drip, a tasting experience of the Gelato of the future in a biotechnological landscape that explores the transformation of the Alpine territory in response to climate change, inviting visitors to reflect on the relationship between human culture and the natural world. Glacial Drip is part of the pavilion “Taste of Tomorrow” at the SIGEP, the world expo for foodservice, taking place in Rimini (Italy) from January 18th to 22nd, 2025.
As glaciers disappear, they are replaced by new alpine microbiomes, proliferating with algae, lichens and mosses. Glacial Drip blends cutting-edge biophilic design with Gelato culinary experimentation to inspire a radical rethinking of how we will interact with the food supply chain and the ecosystems that sustain us, offering a poignant reflection on resilience and renewal in the face of climate change.
Created with living, biological, and biodegradable materials, Glacial Drip replicates the topography of a real Alpine landscape, creating an immersive garden of medicinal and aromatic Alpine plants and microalgae cultures. It celebrates biodiversity while inviting care for ecosystems. By passing through a portal made of ice cores similar to those recovered by scientists in the Alps, visitors explore the plants’ biomes before tasting them as Gelato ingredients.
The sensory journey culminates in the tasting of the Gelato of the future, a blend of culinary innovation, health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability. The protagonists are the "Gelato Superfood" created by master gelato maker Sergio Colalucci, made with microalgae such as Spirulina and Chlorella. Dried Chlorella contains 45% protein, 20% fat, along with 20% carbohydrates, 5% fiber, 10% minerals and vitamins. Six exclusive flavours combine dried microalgae with the medicinal and aromatic Alpine plants of Glacial Drip, such as wild fennel, peppermint, sage, and thyme. This offers an experience that blends creativity, innovative flavours, and ecological awareness.
The installation also includes 13 AIReactors designed by ecoLogicStudio, desktop photosynthetic bioreactors that capture CO2 and purify the air, contributing to the creation of a restorative landscape that enhances both human health and the planet’s well-being. Spirulina and Chlorella, cyclically harvested and dried, are then used in the production of the Gelato itself.
Glacial Drip offers a hopeful vision of the future, where the loss of glaciers is counterbalanced by the flourishing of adaptive ecosystems, while also highlighting the resilience embodied in a unique and ancient product that is Gelato.
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Medicinal plants garden