further research into the biomimicry process

BLOOD VESSELS

Just to recap on why I have chosen this as a primary biomimicry process for this assignment:

My folie design prompted my design concept to be "people as activators of space". I looked into what natural processes accomodate for the transport and movement of people through a structure and came up with the human network of arteries, veins capillaries etc...After looking into the basic structure of a vein system I decided to look more deeply into the function of these elements in order to come up with a conceptual building form and operation mechanism. The conceptual design form which has resulted from this has been the implementation of adaptive and interactive architecture. Upon further research of blood vessels I found that these structures physically adapt to the high and low pressures associated with the exchange of blood from the heart and back again. Hence I have come up with the conceptual form of adaptive and interactive architecture.

The function of blood vessels are all different. For example the arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart and the veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart again. Between these two structures are capillaries, which transfer blood between the two and allow for oxygen and nutrients and carbon dioxide and wastes to travel between blood and tissue. I found this transfer mechanism of capillaries very interesting and potentially inspiring as a biomimicry process for a building:

- Building envelope layers
- Natural Ventilation
- Blocking of noise and other methods of pollution
- Framing of views
- Pushing the boundaries of the building to accomodate for different levels of people flowing through the space

Diagrams of capillary structure:

 

shapeshift - an exploration in flexible membranes as a material



http://caad-eap.blogspot.com/



"EAP is a polymer actuator that converts electrical power into mechanical force. In principle it consists of a thin layer of very elastic acrylic tape sandwiched between two electrodes.  Once the voltage in the range of several kilovolts is applied between the electrodes, the polymer rubber changes its shape in two ways. 

First, due to the attraction of the opposing charges, the film is squeezed in the thickness direction (up to 380%), secondly, the repelling forces between equal charges on both electrodes result in a linear expansion of the film. 

As a result, after actuation, the film becomes thinner and its surface biggerarea increases.

If the supportive frame is flexible, due to the initial pre-stretching of the acrylic film, the frame bends. After application of voltage, the material expands, and the component flattens out."

APPLICATION AND RELEVANCE TO THE ASSIGNMENT?

In the hope of creating an interactive and adaptable structure I have to put considerable research and thought into the type of materials that will be used, both in relation to the concept and the idea of biomimicry. This example, although is not presented from a sustainability perspective, fits in with the theme of adaptable architecture. The use of hardware and software could be taken in a literal sense and I could actually have permeable and non permeable aspects to my building. A material such as this could provide the threshold between permanent sections. I can take the idea (and possibly form) of this material and apply it to the notion of the human vein and try to come up with an idea for a primary material. 

conceptual design

constellation studies

This building function (Science Centre turned Astronomy Observatory) has purely been created through the brainstorming of buildings requiring differing levels of people throughout times of the day. But what other purpose will this building have??

With a school in close proximity to the site and the concept of 'interactive architecture', the most suitable building function should be providing an educational component to the area. This led me to the study of constellations and looking at the night time sky views from the site. Conceptually, I thought the patterns discovered could provide some facade detailing or lead to the construction of certain screens to frame a view of a certain constellation system. 

Southern Hemisphere

Google Earth "Sky" Image from Howard Smith Wharves

precedents for a building programme

Kielder Observatory





establishing a building programme

This weeks focus was to establish a building programme to connect with the intended concept (people as activators of space), form (adaptive architecture) and biomimicry process (human vein function). The answer to this was to create something that could possibly have a 24 hour function. Buildings such as gallery spaces, exhibitions, museums and performing areas lend themselves to large quantities of people moving through the building however I wanted to choose a building programme that wasn't as vague as these choices. Adaptive architecture itself is vague enough and I didnt want to end up designing an empty, moveable space for something too flexible.

Initially, I had thought of designing something very different to what we have in Brisbane currently: something like a homeless centre with flexible spaces for day and night use. This however, does not exactly fit with the theme of "people as activators of space", as the project could potentially draw people or keep people from coming to the site.

Therefore: WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMME CAN ACTIVATE DARKNESS?

The result is that the building function for this project will be a science centre by day and an astrology centre by night with a potential ferry terminal to bring people in from all areas around the CBD...

Here are some initial thoughts and details involved with this theoretical design:

Addressing the surrounding functions: An educational precinct for the school nearby (All Hallows)

Interactive/ adaptive nature: Designing some of the building with fixed sections and some with moveable areas. A central area which could be used as a main display during the day could be pulled back and exposed of a nighttime. Screens and panels could be strategically placed to reveal framed views of the constellations but used as natural light and ventilation devices during the day.

Nighttime security: A lighting system (renewably powered of course) could be used in an interactive nature also, with the building facade as a tool for projecting installations on. Architectural projection mapping is a technique used to alter the facade of buildings with extreme effect. For nights where observing the sky are not an option, this could be adopted.

Access: To service the nearby school an access route will have to be established. A ferry terminal also seems to be the best access point for nighttime sessions however a safe access route will still have to be determined for the cliffside.

adaptive architecture

The concept of hardware vs software and people as an activator of the site prompted me into looking at the notion of adaptive and interactive architecture as a physical structure.

ATMOS STUDIO - Art, Architecture and Media

WINGSCAPE

This pavillion inspired from the French translation of 'butterfly' takes on rib-like, modular formation which move and expand in plan and in section to form different spaces within the overall structure at different times. The proposal provides a supremely lightweight kit of parts that allow not only rapid assembly, but rapid re-assembly and re-configuration.

Source- http://www.atmosstudio.com/#803712/121-Wingscape

The structure itself has the ability to be moved manually or mechanically through its construction using tensile wires. In between the 'delicate' steel ribs is a waterproofing, flexible membrane which moves with the building and can be zipped back to provide the interior with natural ventilation.

For me, this project is a great example in establishing a connection between my concept and my vision for the building use and structure. I have not established a buliding function because I believe this will be determined easily once the other factors have been thought out.



The direction in which I want to go from here is to design an adaptive, hybrid building with an interactive function which provides a solid basis which is activated through the flow of people through it. The important thing for me at this stage is to not remove myself too far from the biomimicry field.

establishing a biomimicry process

BIOMIMICRY AS A PROCESS - 3 Levels 5 Dimensions

From this diagram presented in the tutorial, I have interpreted the levels as:

Organism - Biomimicry process
Behaviour - Programme of the building
Ecosystem - Context (Macro and Micro)

HARDWARE VS SOFTWARE - Examples in nature

Human Veins

Hardware (Vein walls and structure) vs Software (blood)

Human veins are effective circulation structures due to their physical properties. They are elastic in nature and consist of three layers:

1. Outer layer of tissue

2. Muscle

3. Smooth inner layer of epithelial cells (reduces the turbulance of the flow of blood)

The shape and size of veins are different throughout the different sections of the body. Blood flows from the smallest of veins through to the largest.

There are valves located on the inner wall of the vein which act as gates to keep the flow of blood forward and prevent it from going backwards. They also act to counteract the force of gravity on the flow of blood.

Human veins can store large quantities of blood by enlarging and restricting.

The analogy of a vein could be applied in the design of a building through addressing the issue of circulation both within the building and providing a means of transport and access through to the rest of the CBD (like how a vein provides a means of transport for blood to the heart).

establishing the concept

I have spent the last week doing further reflections on my folie in the hope of generating a concept for this building. However by spending too much time on this process I have found that I have been generating too many ideas that are too far removed from my initial intent. The mind map below outlines my original intentions for this assignment that I will keep referring back to:

From here I have generated three possible viewpoints

1. The site as a connection between people and nature

2. People as activators of the site

3. Tectonic's vs Structure (Hardware vs Software) 

week six tutorial

ESTABLISHING HOW BIOMIMICRY FITS INTO DESIGN

How does nature deal with problems?

The application of biomimicry could come from two possible viewpoints:
1. Design looking to biology
2. Biology influencing design

The most important aspect of applying biomimicry in the built environment is to EMULATE RATHER THAN IMITATE.

How does biomimicry fit into the bigger picture?

In the process of researching biomimicry exemplars direct from nature or from built forms it will become important for this assignment to change and interpret information to fit the established programme and concept of the proposed building.

ESTABLISHING THE BUILDING PROGRAMME:

1. What is needed at the site?
2. What can be improved?
3. What can be enhanced?

Cross programming and flexible design
Providing justification of the building programme
Commercial, community, recreational, residential or landscape?
ESTABLISHING THE DESIGN CONCEPT

This will come from the evolution of the initial folie design

inspirational architects

1. Shigeru Ban

The combination and compiliation of materials and structure are what gives Shigeru Ban's designs such simplistic beauty. His application of natural materials such as bamboo and experimentation with paper are revolutionary in the architectural field today. These features, in addition with provisions of natural light and air are what establishes these designs as quite sustainable. However for this assignment we are required to go further into the topic of sustainability and look at the functioning of buildings based on natural systems. These images will become inspiration for form and tectonics, but how can they be used in the sense of biomimicry?  

week five tutorial

this week was allocated to reflecting upon our folie designs and concluding what aspects from these we wanted to take into project two. Upon further reflection of my folie design, I have concluded that I was subconciously looking at creating a space that dealt with the transitions and relationships between the built and natural forms of the Howard Smith Wharves. The folie structure acted as a physical connection between the two elements. This rhythm between the natural and bulit forms can be seen on a macro level:

This idea can also be seen as the balance between masculine and feminine and the weaving of natural elements through built forms.

During the tutorial I raised my concern of continuing to use concrete and steel as my primary materials as they are percieved to be highly unsustainable in their production. It was then discussed the possibility of narrowing the field of sustainability addressed in my particular case, such as focussing on these materials for their durability and potential to be reused after the life of the building instead of looking at their negative characteristics. Social sustainability could also be addressed through the design of the building.

These are some initial sketches looking at basic ideas of designing for flexibility:

Innovations such as modular design, use of screening devices and interactive architecture will be researched in the weeks to come.

biomimicry for sustainable architecture

project two begins with an introduction to the theme specific approach of biomimicry. Before any development to the folie design can occur, it is vital that an understanding towards this term is created.

A leading speaker in biomimicry, Janine Benyus delivered the following lecture on the subject which forms a useful introduction.

In this video, outlines the following principles of designing from nature which could be analysed further in this project:

1. Self assembly

2. C02 as a feedstock

3. Solar transformations

4. The power of shape

5. Colour without pigments

6. Cleaning without detergents

7. Quenching thirst

8. Metals without mining

9. Green chemistry

10. Timed degredation

11. Resilience and healing

Using nature as a model, a mentor and a measure, inspiration can be drawn from the systems, forms and processes found in the environment to solve design issues listed above. Emulating natural models seems like a straightforward concept, however the application of such processes in the architectural field have been rarely documented or researched. Across this project I hope to take on board the experimental nature of this theme and create something more tangible for the design field.

From this list, I am highly interested in persuing the idea of self assembly, flexible design and design for disassembly.

The following image is an outline of the cyclical design approach that could be applied in a project of this type:

Ultimately, the question to address any issue across the project should be, "How would nature solve this?"

reflection of conceptual folie

The next phase of the project begins by reflecting on the previous folie task.

The focus throughout the initial stage of this project has been on the particular characteristics of the Howard Smith Wharves site that we wish to capture and create an experience for. As a concept, my folie design was to primarly focus on the raw beauty of the Story Bridge, particularly the underside of the structure. I believe that architecture is about creating spaces where one can experience something unique and memorable, therefore situating the folie in such close proximity to the bridge was intended to create a real connection between the user and the environment. Elements such as shadows and noise were things I was willing to expose the user to. In reponse to this brief I focussed on the juxtapositioning of cast concrete and steel and the clean and somewhat delicate tectonics which can be created from this pairing. Although the outcome of the tectonics may not have been completely resolved in the folie design, this is something that I am very interested in developing throughout project two. This could be achieved through looking at exemplar projects and researching into the detailing required to portray such ideas.