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In Medellin, Columbia, Plan B Architects and JPRCR have successfully incorporated organic architectural aesthetics with a functional design that interacts with both people and its surrounding environment.  The Orquideorama Gardens are made up of 14 interconnected modular structures which serve as public spaces, event halls, butterfly and bird reserves, flower gardens, as well as shade and shelter for tourists and residents.  The tree-like forms portray organicism through their form, materiality, and function.  The form uses the “petal” canopy to provide shade and to collect rain water, diverting this water downward to be used by the pavilions below.  This natural irrigation process allows for plants and animals to be kept within the structure, further tying it to nature and the forest surrounding it.  The choice of materials (a wooden cladding) enhances the imagery behind this.  Altogether, a singular organic form serves multiple purposes, bringing down the barriers between the natural and artificial visually and functionally.

— Wesley Ratliff

RESEARCH RESOURCES

“Organic Architecture.” 2013. TrendHunter.com. Accessed September 4. http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orquideorama-gardens-in-columbia.

This is a very short introduction the the Orquideorama Gardens.  It gives the basic information regarding the structure, but more importantly, has many photos of the Gardens and other similar structures which would be useful for continued research into the subject.

“Orquideorama / Plan B Architects + JPRCR Architects.” 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed September 5. http://www.archdaily.com/832/orquideorama-plan-b-architects-jprcr-architects/.

A much more involved and detailed description of the project, Archdaily did a full piece on the Gardens with many photos from different angles and vantage points as well as diagrams showing the layout and construction.

“ORQUIDEORAMA: A Beautiful Floating Meshwork of Modular Flower Tree Structures.” 2013. Accessed September 6. http://inhabitat.com/waxing-architectural-on-columbias-orquideorama/.

Inhabitat did a simple piece on the Gardens containing the basic information but also a number of photos showing the experience of the place.

“Cities are not static Objects but active arenas marked by continuous energy flow and transformation of which landscape and building and other hard parts are not permanent structure but transitional manifestations. Like a biological organism the urbanized landscape is an open system”

This quote is taken from Alan Berger’s Drosscape essay and it evokes a relevant yet broad question. Can our urban environments be considered organicist? Originally I thought that New York City with its very regimented grid could be considered organicist because it seems like a collection of building types or cells with different forms that become a unified whole. Our current urban cities have extensive and clear systems with noticeable profiles and act like an animals feeding off each other consuming and producing. The streets, sewers, and electrical systems unify these massive monsters of life. But as soon as you zoom in scale does the City still act like an organism? Looking at one building it’s hard to think of it as a living thing. In an Essay titled ”How to Design with the Animal” Edward M. Dodington continues this discussion stating that we should view our cities as landscapes rather than living beings. We must see our built environment not as a Terra Firma but as a moving shifting landscape; as James Corner puts it, a “Terra Fluxus” a ground constantly in movement, and change. Urbanity as the way I see it is a collection of animals not a single beast that has been created and inhabited by sentient beings. Thus I have concluded that we should not see our urban environments as organicist. Even though they contain a great deal of ecologies they do not act as a unified whole and must only be considered as an environment or “urban landscape”. I am convinced that Organicism relates only on smaller scales and every new building after the next is one mutation after another some good and others bad. Collectively when viewing all these mutations whether it be rural, suburban, or urban they don’t create a single whole, but rather a man made jungle of disorientation.

REFERENCES

Berger, Alan. Drosscape: Wasting Land in Urban America. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2007.

Waldheim, Charles. The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2006.

Dodington, Edward. How to Design With the Animal:Constructing Post Humanist Environments. Houston : Proquest LLC, 2009.

For the past century, mankind has been wary of the rapid depletion of natural resources. The growth and spread of cities has given birth to new, radical proposals of sustainability; among them, Urban Vertical Farming. The concept of growing food on vertical high-rises has stemmed from a crucial necessity. Proposals vary from mixed-use buildings which incorporate farms to acupunctural urban insertions. Although mized use farming schemes may not be the best example of organicism; projects such as Agriculture 2.0 by Appareil It consists of a generative system for the design of the infrastructure for urban vertical farming, which can be used in any city of the world. The product consists of a parametric model which can be inserted into the urban fabric and uses The climatic conditions of the city in which it is to be inserted, The area of the city, in m², to be covered in vegetable production, and The specific site on which the tower is to be constructed inn order to produce the local design for the vertical infrastructure. If this type of strategy gets implemented into society, it will radically change the way cities and maybe countries are organized.

— Ismael Segarra

RESEARCH RESOURCES

After reading Benyus biomimicry essay I wanted to dive a little deeper into other types of design using animals as design inspiration. The three major types I came across were Biomimicry, biomorphic, and biologist design. Biologist design intrigued me because it is directly rooted in science and research the human mind and body. Salingaros writes in his essay, “The idea of a biological connection has been used in turn by traditional architects, modernists, postmodernists, deconstructivists, and naturally, the ‘organic form’ architects.” Much like organicism the term has been used in arguments for many different architectural styles and rationales of thinking. The main source he draws from is Steven Pinker a professor of psychology at MIT. Pinker has in my opinion an amazing rationale expressed in his book, The Blank Slate, “The belief that human tastes are reversible cultural preferences has led social planners to write off people’s enjoyment of ornament, natural light, and human scale and force millions of people to live in drab cement boxes.” I was struck with the idea of ornament in organicist design, because it brings up the question should ornament be integral to the design process. I think this is very interesting because modernists were void of ornament claiming it superfluous and flamboyant.  When looking at this with a biomimic sensibility animals including humans use ornament for self-expression, mating, and warning signs. Architects like David Ruy mix ornamentation with technology and have it work in a multi-performative way. Ornament should be considered an integral aspect of architecture and should not be looked past in a design process, if anything it should be the architects job to make sure ornament is used to make a project more unified. These ideas and facts have lead me to understand that biologist design should really be synonymous to organicism. This is because of the technological and the systematic experiments resulting in scientific data. Biologist design subverts the ephemeral ideas of biomorphic and looks solely at the biology.

Benyus, Janine M. Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. New York: Harper Perennial, 2002.

Steven Pinker, The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature, Viking-Penguin, New York, 2002.

Nikos A., Salingaros. University of Texas at San Antonio, “TOWARDS A BIOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM: LESSONS FROM STEVEN PINKER..” Last modified March 2003. Accessed September 7, 2013. http://www.math.utsa.edu/~yxk833/pinker.html.

[Blur Building External shot by arcspace]

The building was the centerpiece for the Swiss Expo 2002. The Blur Building is a suspended platform shrouded in a perpetual blob of water vapor. There are no walls or divisions. The experience is unlike any other as water vapor, an intangible, moving substance is what defines the spatial boundaries. It is interesting how the building set up a multifaceted interface with water. In the Blur, you could be on water while being in water and have water be in you; as you could purchase from a water bar. The original proposal included technologically embedded “braincoats”. Occupants were given questionnaires to fill out and the results would then be embedded into the sensors of the coat. The braincoats contained sensors which would react with the coats of others which had similar interests. This would give people an artificial “sixth sense” and allow users to interact in a way which doesn’t involve words. The original intent was to have a create architectural experience though a completely abstract sense of interaction and have a digital data cloud which complements the physical water cloud.

— Ismael Segarra

RESEARCH RESOURCES

In the most recent project, SINGAPORE BUONA VISTA MASTERPLAN COMPETITION, SINGAPORE, its biological infrastructure and system are characterized and relevant to the ideal Metabolism. While, the idea of his latest works does not mere include the ideal Metabolism, but also is developed as more aggressive interaction with nature. Instead of being a successor of Metabolism, Toyo Ito has push the boundary of Metabolism to the modern organicism.

RESEARCH RESOURCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism_(architecture)
The introduction of Metabolism architecture, where the idea had been developed and some precedents were built.

http://www.toyo-ito.co.jp/
The official website where it introduce all projects in last then years.

toyo ito: designboom interview

DESIGNBOOM interview with Toyo Ito. From the Q&A, it provides not only the some original ideas behind the projects, but also gives the good representation of drawings and diagram.

[Genius of Biome Report]

[This is a report created by Biomimicry 3.8 and HOK Architects. It is meant to be a guide for future designers who want to design sustainably or using biomimicry. It lists the different biomes, or locations within nature, and ecosystems that have survived in these biomes over time. It does this so designers can learn from these ecosystems and create their own projects using similar tactics that were used by these ecosystems. Examples of key words that one can remember when designing are these: Evolve to Survive, Be Resource Efficient, Adapt to Changing Conditions, Integrate Development with Growth, Be Locally Attuned and Responsive, and Use Life-Friendly Chemistry.]

— [Joshua Rubbelke]

RESEARCH RESOURCES

[” Biomimicry 3.8.” Biomimicry 3.8. http://biomimicry.net (accessed September 16, 2013).]

[A website that has a main focus of educating the people about biomimicry. They even hold competitions for students so that they may understand designing with biomimetic principles. Here is an excerpt from the website explaining biomimicry to another person: “It’s about looking to nature for inspiration for new inventions… It’s learning to live gracefully on this planet by consciously emulating life’s genius. It’s not really technology or biology; it’s the technology of biology.  It’s making a fiber like a spider, or lassoing the sun’s energy like a leaf” (biomimicry.net). ]

[“Genius of Biome Report” http://issuu.com/hoknetwork/docs/geniusofbiome (accessed September 16, 2013).]

[This is the link to the Genius of Biome Report compiled by HOK and Biomimicry 3.8. It is a resource for designers wishing to design using biomimicry. ]

[http://www.imprintculturelab.com/8-questions/8-questions-with-jamie-dwyer/ (Accessed September 15, 2013).]

[This is an interview with Jamie Dwyer, one of the principle people in Biomimicry 3.8. She explains biomimicry more clearly and how it helps the economy and architectural life.]

[The New Art Nouveau]

[http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/projects/columns]

Michael Hansmeyer, a self-proclaimed “computational architect,” creates incredibly intricate three-dimensional forms using mathematical algorithms that resemble the level of detail found in nature. By folding and duplicating volumetric space, Hansmeyer creates forms which propose a new idea of architectural form. The use of algorithmic order results in columns and other form designs that have far too many details to ever be physically drawable forms. According to Hansmeyer, because there are no constraints with the technology available, the architect’s new role is not to design objects but to design a process to generate objects. Hansmeyer’s forms relate to organicism through their relationship to nature. Although they result from computer-based applications, the forms have so much detail that they appear chaotic yet each intricate detail is a result of order. Similarly, forms in nature also have an underlying order to them, for example– Fibonacci’s Sequence. This modern version of creating order based detailed forms can be seen as the contemporary version of Art Nouveau architecture and art executed by individuals such as Antoni Gaudi. Although Gaudi’s work more closely studied nature as a precedent, Hansmeyer’s work is equally whimsically grotesque. Whereas traditional Art Nouveau relied on attentive observations of nature, Digital Art Nouveau focuses more on the processes taking place and uses the computer, instead, to imitate nature’s order.

columns–> algorithmic order, un-drawable forms. Too much detail to be predictable–> new role for architect. Create paradigms.

[Hansmeyer, Michael. “Vimeo: Michael Hansmeyer.” Vimeo. http://www.vimeo.com/michael1 (accessed September 14, 2013).]
[These videos show Hansmeyer’s work, as well as transformative studies. This resource was useful in understanding his work.]

[“Interview with Michael Hansmeyer | The White Review.” The White Review. http://www.thewhitereview.org/interviews/interview-with-michael-hansmeyer/(accessed September 10, 2013).]
[This resource provided an interview with Michael Hansmeyer which conveyed his thoughts on digital fabrication and algorithmic design. It also provided an explanation for why he does what he does and why he chooses to design columns.]

[“Michael Hansmeyer: Building unimaginable shapes | Video on TED.com.” TED: Ideas worth spreading. http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_hansmeyer_building_unimaginable_shapes.html (accessed September 12, 2013).]
[This TED talk was about  Hansmeyer’s work and his ideologies about creating original designs. It was a useful source in that it provided Michael Hansmeyer’s description of his own work as well as his thoughts on architecture and form.]

[“Michael Hansmeyer – Computational Architecture: Grotto.” Michael Hansmeyer – Computational Architecture. http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/projects/grotto.html?screenSize=1&color=0#12 (accessed September 10, 2013).]

[“Radical Openness at TED Global | View | Architectural Review.” The Architectural Review. http://www.architectural-review.com/radical-openness-at-ted-global/8633331.article (accessed September 10, 2013).]

[Arcology: Architecture and Ecology]

[Arcology is architecture and ecology combined as one integral process. It was created by Paolo Soleri and is thought to be capable of demonstrating positive response to the many problems of urban civilization, population, pollution, energy depletion, natural resource depletion, food scarcity and quality of life. Arcology tries to reorganize the sprawling urban landscape and create dense, integrated, three-dimensional cities in order to support the everyday activities that sustain human life. Arcology is relevant today because it attempts to solve the human caused issues of urban sprawl, resource depletion, and dependance on other nations. It can be seen as something that is bio-mimetic because it attempts to solve a human problem by resorting to/learning from nature. Some current examples of Arcology are Crystal Island and Masdar City. There was also an ideas Arcology skyscraper competition that was just completed testing the limits of skyscrapers and everyday lifestyles. ]

— [Joshua Rubbelke]

RESEARCH RESOURCES

[Soleri, Paolo. Arcology, the city in the image of man. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 1969.]

[Soleri proposes a dense, integrated three-dimensional urban form that gets rid of urban sprawl because of its wasteful consumption of land, energy resources, and time. Also because of its tendency to isolate people from each other and the community. “Miniaturization creates the Urban Effect, the complex interaction between diverse entities and individuals, which mark healthy systems both in the natural world and in every successful and culturally significant city in history” (Soleri). Soleri relates mankind to nature stating that nature and human evolution have parallel progressions. It is one of the most important books to understand Arcology.]

[Yergaliyev, Karim. “World’s Biggest Building Coming to Moscow: Crystal Island | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building .” Inhabitat. inhabitat.com/tallest-skyscraper-in-the-world-coming-to-moscow/ (accessed September 15, 2013).]

[Article giving a detailed introduction to Norman Foster’s Crystal Island. It explains how the building “breaths” to allow ventilation and cut energy costs. This is a modern day example of an arcology building. The building is currently on hold due to lack of funds.]

[Lima, Antonietta Iolanda. Soleri: architecture as human ecology. New York, N.Y.: Monacelli Press, 2003.]

[This book follows the entire career of Paolo Soleri and documents his thoughts on his coined term: arcology. It gives an overview of Arcosanti, Soleri’s arcological city for 5,000 people.]

[Earthship Biotecture]

[http://www.Solaripedia.com]

[Michael Reynolds’ design for biotecture or “radically sustainable buildings,” resulted in Earthship, a habitat constructed of natural and recycled materials which limits the production of waste. Just like biomimicry attempts to imitate, biotecture utilizes actual natural phenomenons in order to provide necessities, such as insulation, for a home.  Earthship redefines the traditional home, and is designed on the philosophy that the “home [should] care for the inhabitants” rather than the inhabitants caring for the home. Reynolds implements this in his design through fully integrating the design with nature– for example, the Earthship homes are surrounded by a thermal wrap of soil which provides thermal stability, among other elements that make them independent of interconnected systems such as plumbing or heating.  Because of the design’s close integration with nature, and the fact that the design seeks to imitate building systems through natural effects (like stack effect) it seems like it is decidedly organic architecture. Even the name, biotecture, implies its relationship to organicism. Additionally, the design for the Earthship homes are ever-evolving as new designs are being developed constantly. Although Earthships were more popular as a housing option in the 1970s when the concept emerged, they are still being built today. However, in today’s society, Earthships are mainly being built in third world countries by design build teams rather than providing a common solution implementable around the world. Biotecture’s organic nature and the fact that Earthships provide shelter mainly to those who are in dire need of it rather than universally, it is easy to see that a practical design– ie. one that is affordable, self-sufficient, and ecologically responsible– is not something desired by the masses. Perhaps organicism can only be appreciated and desired when it is restricted to form, not to both form and function.

— [Kamila Buraczynski]

RESEARCH RESOURCES

[“Blogs » Author » Michael Reynolds.” Earthship Biotecture – Radically Sustainable Buildings. http://earthship.com/blogs/author/biotecture/ (accessed September 4, 2013).] [This blog is updated by Michael Reynolds himself, and provides the reader with his insights, poetry, goals, and updates regarding volunteer builds around the world.]

[“Earthship Biotecture – Radically Sustainable Buildings.” Earthship
Biotecture – Radically Sustainable Buildings.http://www.earthship.com
(accessed September 6, 2013).]
[This is the official website for Earthship biotecture. It provides goal outlines, current projects, builds, seminars, and information on the Earthship Academy.]

[“Earthship Biotecture – YouTube.” YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/user/earthship (accessed September 5, 2013).
[This YouTube video explains Earthships and the concept behind them in a visual way. It is particularly helpful in providing imagery of completed Earthship homes as well as what kind of materials go into making them.

[“Earthship Plans.” Dream Green Home Plans. http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com/plans/earthship.htm (accessed September 6, 2013).] [Dream Green Home Plans provides plans for some of the Earthships as well as information on the homes. This site was useful in explaining the various types of Earthships available, requirements for building an Earthship, and the price ranges for the various styles.