Post on 03-Nov-2014
description
Biomimicry is human’s imitation of natural forms and processes into the design of something completely intelligent and sustainable
WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY?
WHY BIOMIMICRY?
- Animals have already perfected some of the designs that humans still struggle with
- Humans must learn to live sustainably without causing further harm to the environment, and nature can show them how
- Organisms create natural designs that function highly effectively without the use of harmful chemicals, pollutants, or non-renewable energies
For example...
Termites are experts in heating and air-conditioning. They normally reside in sub-saharan deserts with tempera-tures that fluctuate between 35 and 105 degrees fahrenheit. However, their carefully constructed mounds remain at a steady temperature year round and their design requires no energy use. Engineers and architects are taking cues from their devices in hopes of creating a man-made building that can self-regulate its internal climate.
EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMICRY
George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, designed velcro after noticing how the seeds from the burdock plant stuck to his wool socks.
Lotusan, a paint manufacturing company, developed an exterior paint that mimicks the lotus leaf. Similar to the effect of water whicking off the leaves
of the lotus flower, their paint repels dirt and water as well.
The fibonacci spiral is a highly complex geometric sequence that is found in thousands of natural forms. This design has been applied to
fans, propellers, and impellers to help increase the flow of air and fluid.
Gecko tape is an adhesive material that is covered with nanoscopic hairs that mimic those found on geckos and lizards. The product is currently used in underwater and space station applications,and has not yet reached the
commercial mainstream production line.
PROJECT PROPOSALExtensive research conducted for the uses of biomimicry yielded that its applications have been limited within the fields of engineering, robotics, bio-medicine, and industrial and architectural design. As an interior designer, I wanted to explore the principles of biomimicry and determine which ones, if any, were applicable to interiors. However, the final design would have to represent a deeper understanding of biomimetics, other than simply alligator skin applique and nature motifs.
Therefore...
My proposal was to incorporate principles of biomimicry into interior design; with hopes of achieving a completely multi-functional and sustainable design that promotes growth and cooperation within the building’s context in its natural environment.
SAND
STICKS
GRASS STONE
MUDSNOW
CHOOSING THE SITE
The project required that students utilize an existing building.
Research suggests that my building should:
- Be in a location that is suitable for harvesting vast amounts of solar, hydro, and wind power- Contain between 14,000 and 22,000 square feet- Have a large lot size that can be used for tours outside of the nature center- Be capable of utilizing natural light in order to save on energy consumption- Be located within the boundaries of a large city
Chosen Building information:
Address: 190 NE 199th StreetLocation: North Miami Beach, FloridaYear Built: 1989Square Footage: approx. 17,000 s.f.Stories: 2Current Use: Multi-Office Building
SITE ANALYSIS
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
HOTELS
STREETS
WATER
COMMERCIAL AREAS
SITE ANALYSISSURROUNDING BUILDINGS
ROADS
WATER
GREEN AREAS
SITE ANALYSISROAD TO ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS
Star indicates actual building location on plan
ROADS
WATER
GREEN AREAS
RESIDENCES
EXISTING PATHS
EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS
SITE ANALYSISEXISTING ENVIRONMENT
BUILDING
PARKING LOT
WATER
EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS
ROADS
SITE ANALYSISSURROUNDING BUILDINGS
BUILDING ANALYSIS
SOLAR STUDIES
6:00 am 3:00 pm 6:00 pm9:00 am 12:00 pm
HOT SPOT
MEDIUM SPOT
COOL SPOT MORNING MID-DAY AFTERNOON
N
SOLAR STUDY CONCLUSION
HOT SPOT
MEDIUM SPOT
COOL SPOT
Because of the area’s frequent rainfall
and its high exposure to sunlight, a
rooftop garden will be added to the
building. The water collected by the
plants will be harvested for plumbing,
then recycled back into the environment.
The use of solar panels is extremely
beneficial because the area receives
year-round sunlight. The solar energy
collected from the panels will help to
power the equipment and fixtures
within the building.
A vertical greening unit will be used on the
south west side of the building. That particular area receives the most sunlight,
yet features no shade from overhangs or
awnings. The living wall will help deter the
heat and reduce the drastic hot spot that would affect the interior.
PROGRAM
RO O M N A M E S Q . F TG . NUM B E R TO TA L S Q . F TG . FLO O R
Lobby 1270 1 1270 1W ait ing A rea 320 1 320 1G ift S hop 400 1 400 1G allery 1580 1 1580 1Library /B ird V iew 240 1 240 1V etrinary Care 1440 1 1440 1V et S taff Lounge 240 1 240 1G ues t Res troom 110 2 220 1E m ploy ee R es troom 120 2 240 1S torage Room 150 1 150 1Hous ek eeping 140 1 140 1M ec hanic al 170 1 170 1E lec tric al 180 1 180 1Data A 140 1 140 1Rec y c le A 180 1 180 1
Direc tor's O ffic e 140 1 140 2O pen W ork O ffic es 60 8 480 2E m ploy ee C onferenc e 310 1 310 2P rinter/S upply A rea 310 1 310 2Res ourc e Li brary 690 1 690 2E m ploy ee D ining and Loung e 510 1 510 2E m ploy ee S hower 120 1 120 2E m ploy ee K itc hen 340 1 340 2E m ploy ee Loung e 240 1 240 2E m ploy ee R es troom 70 1 70 2Crafts R oom 610 1 610 2Learning R oom 620 1 620 2K itc hen/P rep f or Learning 450 1 450 2G ues t Loung e 240 1 240 2G ues t Res troom 110 2 220 2Hous ek eeping 120 1 120 2Rec y c le B 170 1 170 2Data B 130 1 130 2
DECISION MODEL
PRINCIPLES
ENGAGE INRELATIONSHIPS
FIT FORM TOFUNCTION
USE CYCLICALPROCESSES
BE SUSTAINABLE
ANIMAL TRAITS
SPECIALIZEDCOMMUNICATION
CONSTANT GROWTHAND ADAPTATION
RECYCLE AND REUSE HABITATS
USE LOCALAMENITIES
APPLICATION
PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND UTILIZE ADVANCED
TELE-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
FEATURE MOBILE AND EVOLVING STRUCTURES
AND BUILDING SYSTEMS
RECYCLE ENERGY AND GIVEBACK TO SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT
USE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THAT
SUPPORT THE AREA
1
2
3
4
The open plan of the employee offices and work spacespromotes collaboration and teamwork. The conferenceand adjoining resource room also feature the newest
technologies in idea transfer and project management.
NSECOND FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A
PRINCIPLE 1
PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND UTILIZE ADVANCED
TELE-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Everything within the learning rooms can be easily movedor disassembled. All furniture and equipment is on casters,which allows for various configurations. As well, the large space is divided by moveable walls from “dirtt” and from a
demountable track wall system.
NSECOND FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A
PRINCIPLE 2
FEATURE MOBILE AND EVOLVING STRUCTURES
AND BUILDING SYSTEMS
The veterinary care facility uses renewableresources. All electricity comes from solar
and hydro power. The plumbing is processedthrough a gray water system and released back into the environment for subsurface
landscape irrigation.
NFIRST FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A
PRINCIPLE 3
RECYCLE ENERGY AND GIVEBACK TO SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT
PRINCIPLE 4
USE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THAT
SUPPORT THE AREA
All furnishings and fixtures within the gallerycome from local distributors and are 100% post-
consumer products or are wholly recycleable.Also, artwork and sculptures are created by local
artists. This relationship with the surrounding areasupports growth of southern Florida and its
economy, as well as eliminates high prices and pollutants caused by transportation.
NFIRST FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A