This blog describes and showcases the second-term research and prototyping for Bionook. Research Topic: Investigating the Synergistic Potential Between Additive Manufacturing Methods and Engineered Timber in Reshaping Urban Design Paradigms. This research delves into precisely integrating sawdust and orange peels as industrial by-product additives for Soil Additive Manufacturing and locally sourced Engineered Timber, synergizing them … Read more
RESEARCH QUESTIONHow can the inherency of materials found in a specific region facilitate the construction of a building element designed and made uniquely for the climate it is being used in and subsequently reduce carbon emissions? Introduction “Everything we design is a response to the specific climate and the culture of a particular place.” -Norman … Read more
Keywords: Mass timber city, Sustainable forest management, smart cities, Vernacular, Local species wood ABSTRACT: The capital city of Nepal- Kathmandu, like many urban cities globally, is undergoing uncontrolled urban expansion, neglecting its natural-based construction heritage, particularly timber. This research advocates for a paradigm shift towards mass timber, particularly multispecies Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), to address environmental … Read more
In the face of the climate crisis, the role of energy systems in building design has come under increasingly scrutiny. Buildings are not only significant energy consumers but also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. As we grapple with rising global temperatures and rising urbanization, the focus on creating energy efficient buildings which rely on clean, … Read more
Plot 2 – Proximity Food combines food production & residencies. Greenhouses split residential buildings, providing residents with access to growing spaces to be used for food self-sufficiency throughout the year. The industrial level includes a variety of food industries – including hydroponic farming, food R&D labs and urban food forests. Water is a crucial part of … Read more
Tackling the Internet of People through Fortifying & Diversifying the economy in Viladecans, Spain Introduction Viladecans is a dynamic and thriving municipality with a rich history, diverse economy, and vibrant community life. Its strategic location, economic opportunities, and quality of life make it an attractive place to live, work, and visit in the Barcelona metropolitan … Read more
Viladecans greeted us with an unexpected tranquility. We arrived to the city on the commuter train from Barcelona, opposing the flow of morning commuters. The station was empty. A single street, lined with abandoned plots and industrial sheds led us up the hill into the town. A few hundred metres later the scene couldn’t be … Read more
About Upgreen is an innovative web application designed to revolutionize biodiversity-centered design in both architectural practice and everyday life. Developed by Eva Papaspyrou, Upgreen serves as a comprehensive tool for managing plant data and optimizing green spaces at various scales. Whether you’re a professional in the field or an environmentally conscious individual, Upgreen offers a … Read more
Inhabiting Ice Cavities under the Martian Surface Introduction – The Idea For the first settlers on Mars, we have envisioned a colony of Aqua-Miners with the primary task of harvesting water as a resource from the ice beneath Mars’ surface, storing it and recycling it for sustainable use. Our approach to this problem has been … Read more
Santa Fe, Ciudad de México, es un micromundo de transformación urbana que encapsula siglos de historia y evolución. Inicialmente habitada por comunidades indígenas agrícolas, Santa Fe experimentó cambios profundos con la llegada de los españoles, quienes impulsaron la explotación minera. Esto transformó radicalmente su paisaje y economía, convirtiendolo en un importante centro de extracción y … Read more
(I) Vaporization of water (2)Thermal inertia ELECTRONIC FOUNDATION. MAKE ENERGY VISIBLE MAKE ENERGY FLOW. CONTROL THE EXTREMES MATTER MATTERS Scalability Thermal inertia Phase shift Dampening ROOM 1 ROOM 2 THE PROCESS
Repensando el modelo de Vivienda de Interés Social Mexicano con un enfoque en la sostenibilidad urbana El desarrollo urbano en México de los últimos 50 años ha seguido un modelo territorial extensivo, caracterizado por una baja densidad habitacional y una configuración urbana discontinua. Este patrón ha extendido las urbanizaciones considerablemente, incrementando el consumo de suelo … Read more
The seminar involved analyzing texts to extract and interpret a key term, then creatively visualizing this concept through the blending of urban textures and landscapes, crafting surreal cityscapes that reflect the nuanced meanings of these terms. The texts explored the themes of: Urban Resilience Definition: The capacity of urban areas to adapt to crises, focusing … Read more
Introduction Fascinated by the formation of landscapes through geological processes, I wanted to develop an interactive tool that simulates the effects of erosion on a virtual terrain. The goal was to both illustrate how erosion works and to create an experimental playground for designing one’s own landscape forms. The development utilized VUE, ThreeJS, and Rhino.Compute. … Read more
A partir del avance tecnológico y las nuevas formas de movilidad, la ciudad se encuentra disponibilizando espacios que quedarán vacantes en el corto, mediano y largo plazo. Ejemplos de estos son las estaciones de servicio, cajeros automáticos, garajes comerciales, shopping malls, kioscos de diarios y revistas, entre otros. Con este contexto, el interrogante que surge … Read more
Questioning the rhetoric. The brief In the epoch of the Anthropocene, characterized by humanity’s profound impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems, the discourse surrounding resilience to climate change has become increasingly prominent. As societies grapple with the consequences of human-induced environmental transformations, there is a growing recognition of the need to question and analyze … Read more
Energy Phenomena In the machine room model, Convection serves as the primary mechanism for transferring heat from the hot plate to the tubes containing thermochromic fluids. This convective process affects the temperature of the thermochromic liquid within the tubes, which in turn changes the chroma i.e, color intensity of the room, thereby influencing the circadian … Read more
COP is a climate conference that aims to cut emissions but paradoxically boost carbon footprints due to increased transport and attendance. This situation offers host cities a chance to engage in greenwashing, presenting a façade of environmental responsibility. This underscores the intricate challenges involved in realizing true sustainability during major events, highlighting the need for … Read more
By 2100, the global temperature is forecasted to increase from 2 to 4 degrees Celsius due the effects of Greenhouse Gases Emissions and Human Activities. The City of Viladecans has developed a Vision by 2030 which expects the city to become EMISSIONS NEUTRAL, and EMISSIONS NEGATIVE by 2050. For approaching this goal, HYPENERGETIC VILADECANS establishes … Read more
This module focused on developing an envelope for the building, enhancing its functional as well as aesthetic qualities. The building envelope is pivotal in enhancing a structure’s functionality and performance. A well-designed envelope minimizes heat transfer, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. Effective insulation and air sealing maintain consistent indoor temperatures, ensuring occupants’ comfort … Read more
