starfish

iguana skin

pill bug

biomimicry:

wikipedia:

Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.

In her 1997 book, "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature" (ISBN 0-06-053322-6), author Janine M. Benyus introduces biomimicry, presents examples, and explains why the field is important now. She writes, "Our planet-mates (plants, animals and microbes) have been patiently perfecting their wares for more than 3.8 billion years ... turning rock and sea into a life-friendly home. What better models could there be?"

The book lists numerous examples of people who are studying nature's achievements, including photosynthesis, natural selection, and self-sustaining ecosystems, among others. Benyus then explains how those researchers use the inspirations found in nature to emulate "life's genius" for the purpose of improving manufacturing processes, creating new medicines, changing the way people grow food, or harnessing energy.

Here are a few cool videos from TED:




http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_full_on_engineering_and_evolution.html
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/theo_jansen_creates_new_creatures.html

the class...

Professor:

Erich Schoenenberger

Biomimicry

This studio section will explore the potentials of Biomimicry as a strategy for form finding, program organization as well as the investigation of structural solutions.

Biomimicry, despite it being a relatively new science has been talked about and adapted increasingly over the past years in a variety of fields. In simple terms it is the science of getting ideas from nature for the way we make or do things. The studio will aim to translate this researched and optimized bionic adaptation scripts into parametric models that have three-dimensional geometric properties. Subsequently the resulting paramedic models are to be investigated and exposed to the program and the site. Critical interrogations on behavior, scale and aesthetics of the models will be the guiding aspects to derive a detailed architectural proposal.

Program:

YMCA

The program for this studio will be a YMCA. The YMCA is a historic Institution that has undergone a tremendous transformation over the past 50 years. It is a curious crossbreed of hotel, sport facilities and community center and is in need of critical investigations.

Site Boundaries

Delancy Street/ Broom Street - Clinton Street / Essex Street

The site is currently a parking lot on the Perimeters of the Lower East Side (LES) adjacent to the Delancy street access to the Williamsburg bridge, the LES project high-rise residential buildings.

pre-initial research

...so the idea of Biomimicry has always been buzzing around within my realm pretty much 24-7 ever since I decided to take the leap into the world of architecture. Most of us are aware that there is a certain amount of controversy out there regarding whether it is "appropriate" for buildings to "imitate" nature, or animals, or anything.

This dilemma has finally found itself into my life and I will have to work with it. The idea of it is very exciting. I will take the most advantage of it as a student since I will not be burdened with reality of whether this "building" will be structurally sound, how will I route the fire-escapes, or how much revenue I will earn from optimizing construction materials.

I think it makes the most sense, especially for those who think that this is should NOT be a technique any architect with common sense should be exercising, if we think of BioMimicry more as theoretical and experimental exercise than anything. It is not 'pretending' to be anything other than trying to make our habitat adapt how a biological organism will adapt to its natural environment. This should be a fun process... who knows what we might find from this experimentation...

When thinking of organisms one may be interested in studying, this is what I narrowed down after thinking that ALL living things are intriguing:

- what lives deep down under, in the dark, and we can rarely see or touch?
... a starfish?
its stomach turns out to eat/digest food and it is contracted back when it's done.
weird! (=good)

- what do boys like and looks gross?
... an iguana?
it's totally a boy pet. It has a third eye!

- what would animals wear if they had fashion shows?
... an armor? but the armadillo is already over used.
a pill bug? it rolls up for self-defense and it has [a lot] more legs than the armadillo.


so the studying begins...