In this seminar we will be exploring different generative systems behind natural systems using advanced digital design tools. We will study the history of biomimicry in architecture and the other driven terms such as: biophilia, bio-utilisation, and synthetic biology.
How can we generate efficient bio-inspired structures? This question captures the essence of biological structures. Nature makes extremely efficient use of materials, often achieved through evolved ingenuity of form. Using folding, vaulting, ribs, inflation and other means, natural systems have created effective forms that demonstrate astonishing efficiency. The many manifestations of this in natural organisms provide a rich sourcebook of ideas for structures that could be radically more efficient than those found in conventional architecture (Biomimicry in Architecture, Michael Pawlyn). Why is nature behaving this way? It’s the pressures of survival in all its varied aspects , finding sustenance, thermoregulating, mating and avoiding predation.
Throughout history, architects have looked to nature for inspiration for building forms and approaches to decoration: nature is used mainly as an aesthetic sourcebook. Biomimicry is concerned with functional solutions, and is not necessarily an aesthetic position. In this seminar we will be exploring different generative systems behind natural systems using advanced digital design tools. We will study the history of biomimicry in architecture and the other driven terms such as: biophilia, bio-utilisation, and synthetic biology. We will be looking at tissues, shell structures, modular systems, growth simulation, adaptive skins, and optimization workflows.
At course completion the student will:
KEYWORDS
GRASSHOPPER3D, RHINOCEROS 3D, HOUDINI, KANGAROO, BIOMORPHER, WASP, HOUGH, HUMAN, BIO-INSPIRED, EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, ADAPTATION, SKELETONS
WILDLIFE MUSEUM FOR AGNANO CRATOR, NAPLES, ITALY This new wildlife museum has a main purpose to raise awareness about wild animal species extinction. The site is inside the picturesque Agnano crater in Naples, Italy. The crater mostly forest with a lake at the base and is used today as a place of recreation and hiking. … Read more
Broadening the perspective: An organism interacting with its environment. Sounds simple but life itself influences the atmosphere and nothing impacts life on earth today more than humanity does: explore that relationship between mankind and our environment.
ITALY, LOCATED CLOSE TO THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE EURASIAN AND AFRICAN PLATE IS A VOLCANICALLY ACTIVE COUNTRY, CONTAINING THE ONLY ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE MAINLAND EUROPE.VESUVIUS, GENERALLY CHARACTERISED BY EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS IS CLOSE TO THE PROPOSED SITE TO THE EAST OF NAPLES. CONCEPT THE BASIC FORM OF THE STRCTURE IS INSPIRED BY THE FORM OF … Read more
The project’s objective is to design a wildlife museum in the crater of a volcano in Pozzuoli, near Naples, using one of the computational methodologies learned in the Complex Forming class. In this case, aggregation is the chosen method using the Wasp plugin in grasshopper. CONCEPT DESIGN Concept inspired by the nearby ruins of Pompeii … Read more
Walk with Me is a form finding project for a Wildlife Museum Concept in Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy. The design is motivated by the landscape of the site. The park makes a special movement on the surface, becomes a pit, and offers a variety of paths. Circulation is an important part of museum design. The link … Read more
How can a building embody the principles of evolution? This project explores the use of cellular autonomy as a form generator. The principle of cellular autonomy allows for the creation of complex forms Video
Learning How to Swarm I learned about swarms a number of years ago from online lectures and articles in Architectural Design (AD) such as Swarm intelligence (2009) by Neil Leach. The topic has been discussed in architecture for at least two decades with research papers (2000) that still included Altavista email addresses. I had no … Read more
