Where Le Corbusier sought "machines for living," the husband-wife team of John and Nancy Todd have dedicated themselves to producing "Living Machines," or design solutions that encorporate natural processes and sustainable systems. John Todd, a Canadian-born marine biologist, founded the New Alchemy Institute in 1969. Since then the Institute has introduced a number of innovative technologies designed to lessen the impact of human life on the planet, most notably, "Living Machines," or systems for treating contaminated bodies of water using natural organisms, rather than chemicals. Living Machines are currently installed in countries worldwide.

In 1981 the pair founded Ocean Arks International to develop Living Machine technology. Among Ocean Arks' projects are an innovative, floating, biologically active Living Machine in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and a benchtop Living Machine designed for classroom demonstrations. Additionally, John Todd Research and Design worked with a number of renowned ecological architects to construct a self-sustainable Eco Village and Resort in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The Todds have published numerous books, including From Eco Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design, and Bioshelters, Ocean Arks, City Farming: Ecology as the Basis for Design. The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindberg Award and the Achievement Award for Ecological Design from the Collective Heritage Institute are among the numerous accolades the Todds have received for their work.