Author: Nilay Akbas

 

Michael Pawlyn is known for his work on biomimicry and how architecture can use it as its guiding principle. Therefore, his research focuses on the “unique, efficient structures of natural organisms and how they may translate through design”. His concept of biomimicry is based on using nature’s ideas for human problems. But his approach is far more than just creating a form for the building. He rather focuses on the biomimicry’s “potential to influence the function” where it can create possibilities for creating resource efficiency. His book, “Biomimicry in Architecture” attempts to open up these issues by focusing on building efficient structures, manufacturing materials, creating zero waste system, managing water, controlling thermal environment and producing energy for buildings.

Some of his inspiring projects are Sahara Forest Project that he collaborated with Charlie Paton and Bill Watts to propose a combination of two innovative technologies such as “Concentrated Solar Power” and “Seawater Greenhouse” to produce renewable energy, water and food in an area of hot desert.

 

— Nilay Akbas

 

RESEARCH RESOURCES

 

Pawlyn, Michael. Biomimicry in Architecture. London:RIBA publishing. 2011.

[His book focuses on the Biomimicry’s role on architecture by explaining the steps of building construction specificly focus on materials systems and construction methods.

 

Weston, Richard. 2012. “Nature in architecture.” The Architectural Review 232, (1380) (02): 95-96. http://search.proquest.com/docview/929052062?accountid=14214 (accessed September 5, 2013).

Interview with Michael Pawlyn introduces his ideology on nature and biomimicry. He explains sustainable architecture through ongoing projects by focusing on its regenerative and restorative approach in construction industry.

 

Yeang, K. and Pawlyn, M. (2009), “Seawater Greenhouses and the Sahara Forest Project.” Architectural Design 79: 122–123. doi: 10.1002/ad.930

The article focuses on the Sahara Forest Project and the use of innovative technologies that are inspired by nature and as an end result the outcomes of the project.

BioDigital Architecture: Digitally-Growing Structure, Space, Surface, & Components Dennis Dollens research is focused on biodesign and bioarchitectures role as a part of nature.  His projects are based on software that enables to embed nature’s intelligence (nature’s function) to buildings/building components by translating the organic and “regenerative processes” of natural world. His studies on “biodigital” take biological principles (naturally occurring) to create a computer algorithms which is used to generate architectural forms. One of the experiments he worked with this technique is the structural integrity of branching trees that started by developing variety of digital models of branching system. This study is followed by series of scripts that could generate models of branching; later these scripts and digital models were used to designing a branching building that eliminates the structural deficiencies of cantilevered systems. It resulted with an active form, more flexible system that can be used in regions where earthquake is a major structural problem. Also, it has the potential of being a self-shaded system that can environmentally move and be a truss system. Further studies of the branching system resulted with the branch matrix that can functions as sensor nodes with leaf-cluster systems for air filtration & ventilation, sound baffling and heat-light control.”

 

— Nilay Akbas

 

RESEARCH RESOURCES

 

Dollens, Denis. Digital-Botanic Architecture: D-B-A. Sante Fe: SITES Books. 2005

Focuses on his research on biodesign and bioarchitectures and ways nature in translated
into the design world.

 

Dennis Dollens. “Architecture as Nature: A Biodigital Hypothesis.” Leonardo 42, no. 5 (2009): 412-420. http://muse.jhu.edu/ (accessed September 6, 2013).

Research on “biodigital – software that enables to design and bring nature’s
intelligence to buildings and building components which can actively work with
the building to provide better design solutions.

 

Dollens, Dennis (06/30/2010). “Architecture, eTrees, & Nature Architettura, eTrees, & Natura”. Disegnare con (1828-5961), 3 (5), p. 43. <http://s3.amazonaws.com/mcneel/misc/docs/DBA2-72dpi.pdf>

This source is based on his research experiment on the structural integrity of
branching trees. It explains the process of digital modeling and creation of
mathematical computer algorithms which are used later on to design branching
building.