A team of designers and biotechnologists in East London has unveiled a 'Living Facade' system made of specially engineered algae that can be retrofitted to existing city buildings to actively scrub CO2 and nitrogen dioxide from the air.

The system is twice as efficient as a natural forest in capturing carbon and also produces biofuel as a byproduct. The first pilot installation will cover a major office block in Shoreditch later this year.

"We are turning buildings into lungs for the city," said the lead designer.