The BuzzBuilding

BuzzBuilding is part of the Belathew Labs project InsectCity, with the aim of making Stockholm self-sufficient in protein through urban insect production.

By 2050, the global population is projected to reach nine billion. How can we develop a sustainable approach to food production that can feed everybody? One alternative source of animal protein is insects. Insect-based protein production is considerably more efficient than producing meat. It takes ten kilograms of feed to produce one kilogram of beef, while the same amount of feed can generate nine kilograms of insect protein. Producing enough insect protein to match the current meat consumption of the residents of Stockholm will require about 500,000 m2 of space. By establishing insect farms in nine roundabouts throughout the city, Stockholm could be self-sufficient in protein.

The BuzzBuilding cricket farm illustrates what urban insect production could look like. The three levels of the building offer 10,350 m2 of breeding space, which integrates the entire production flow from egg to fully-grown insect. BuzzBuilding would also serve as a refuge for endangered wild bees, which play a crucial role in the ecosystem by pollinating plants. The load-bearing steel frame is inspired by an exoskeleton and gives the building an insect-like form that hints at its function. On the bottom floor is a restaurant where insects are prepared and sold.