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.