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The biocolonisation of urban building surfaces by mosses is a ubiquitous and naturally occurring phenomenon that encapsulates immense ecological value for both current and future challenges of life in cities. The miniature ecosystems facilitated by mosses capture atmospheric pollutants and maintain local biodiversity by providing shelter and nutrients for a highly diverse set of organisms across all kingdoms of life. Early establishment and growth of bryophyte communities appear to be influenced by a dynamic mix of biotic and abiotic factors, while environmental cues modulate physiological responses and biochemical exchanges. A prototype monitoring device was designed to measure carbon dioxide uptake under variable light, humidity, and temperature conditions during a 3-week experiment. By providing a non-destructive tool for understanding and visualising the impact of environmental variables on photosynthetic behaviour, the device contributes to a biocentric design practice, where an organism’s ecological needs begin to drive the development of bioreceptive micro-environments.