BIOPOD Co.

Biopods are human-scale ecosystem modules designed to remediate polluted urban rivers, restore vital fringe marshes, and engage communities in ecological stewardship. By leveraging the bioremediation power of plants, fungi, and microorganisms, Biopods operate on two interconnected levels. On a molecular scale, they metabolize pollutants and filter contaminants through living systems. On a human scale, they invite local communities to participate in their creation, deployment, and the ongoing revitalization of biodiversity in urban waterways.

Constructed with reishi mycelium as a structural and filtration base, Biopods support native wetland plants whose roots intertwine with fungal networks to create a self-sustaining bioremediation system. These floating wetlands are modular and accessible, designed to facilitate participatory co-creation workshops that enhance ecological literacy and practical skills.

Biopods address the pressing ecological crises of urbanization and industrialization, which have eroded habitats and accelerated the loss of wetlands—nature’s detoxifiers—at three times the rate of forest depletion. Unlike traditional, top-down restoration projects that are slow and costly, Biopods emphasize a scalable, bottom-up approach that empowers public engagement while rapidly restoring ecosystems.

Since their first deployment in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2023, Biopods have fostered collaboration with community-focused organizations such as the Stormwater Innovation Center and WaterFire Festival. Over time, these modules evolve into permanent wetland ecosystems, rewilding urban waterways, enhancing biodiversity, and creating a harmonious interface between nature and urban life.