aliciahazelelliott

[aliciahazelelliott]

[aliciahazelelliott]

[aliciahazelelliott]

[aliciahazelelliott]

[aliciahazelelliott]

[aliciahazelelliott]

[aliciahazelelliott]

Introduction

The topic that i have chosen to research is Biomimicry. I want to look at how nature can help designers create innovative solutions to problems in design. Within biomimicry i want to ensure that i keep an emphasis on sustainability and vernacular design, using materials sourced from the local area. As well as this i want to question the use of natural and manmade materials within design. I want to discover what would be the most effective and efficient material to best suit my biomimetic designs.

[aliciahazelelliott]

Japanese Bullet train inspired by the beak of a kingfisher

The original bullet trains did not have the streamlined beak-shaped front and because of this they generated extremely loud noises when travelling through tunnels, to fix this the chief engineer for the West Japan Railway Company created a shape similar to a kingfisher's bill. When fitted on the front of the engine, the nose of the train parts the air rather than compressing it, therefore eliminating the loud noises.

I find the use of biomimicry in design intriguing because nature can produce so many simple solutions to what may seem like complex problems. As designers sometimes rather than trying so hard to ‘think outside of the box’ maybe we need to take a step back and re-evaluate what we already know.

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Indus tiles by Shneel Malik

A modular design as a tool for the “bioremediation of water”. Indus is a tile-based filtration system, inspired by the architecture of a leaf. It regenerates water for reuse within the manufacturing process. Water flows over a series of vein-like channels containing algae prepared in a seaweed-based hydrogel as part of a decontamination process.

I really like this project and it really demonstrates just how much can be learnt from the structures and methods of nature. The biomimicry of a leaf has allowed Malik to find a solution to a pressing issue. This makes me question why biomimicry isn’t integrated into the majority of design as it evidently raises impressive solutions.

[aliciahazelelliott]

Kubu Nests by Porky Hefer

The structure is a human nest to be used outside hung in a tree or inside. It is a biomimicry of the work of weaver birds. Made from Kubu cane and wood, Hefer chose these materials to be the most sustainable and effective solution.

“Animals are vernacular architects and we can learn a lot from them about materials and form.”

I find Hefer’s work particularly interesting as his designs do not stray far from the original inspiration taken from the structures found in nature. His work is loyal to local and readily available, sometimes recycled materials making his pieces highly sustainable. I think his use of biomimicry is intriguing and this is definitely an area of design that i would like to explore in more depth.  

[aliciahazelelliott]

The Manta Ray Treehouse by Porky Hefer

The steel structure is clad with wood and local palm. It sits 5m in the air and has a wingspan of almost 15m. Another example of vernacular architecture, these structures utilise locally available materials that are non-disruptive to the natural surroundings.

[aliciahazelelliott]

The Polite House, Trondheim, Norway

In stark comparison to the vernacular design of the Wadden Sea Centre, this house is a representation of polite architecture. It includes non-local styles and uses design features that go beyond functional requirements. Although i find this style intriguing, i much prefer the vernacular use of natural materials and designing to compliment the environment. I find that this style of polite architecture, particularly in this reference, calls unnecessary attention to its aesthetic and places an emphasis on the appearance of the building rather than its functional capabilities.

[aliciahazelelliott]

Wadden Sea Centre, Denmark

This building is an example of a minimalist and modern design combined with vernacular elements. With its thatched roof and thermowood façade the centre displays tactile qualities that represent the traditional crafts and materials of the region. What I really like about this reference is its dedication to sustainability and how it reflects the ancient natural scenery that surrounds it.

[aliciahazelelliott]

African round huts

Most commonly made out of mud, grass and local materials, the African round hut is a key symbol of Africa. These huts are an example of vernacular architecture and usually last for around 1-2 years. I find these huts particularly interesting because of their use of only natural materials. How could this type of construction be implemented in modern structures in order to make them more sustainable?

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Experiments from sustainable brief

The test on the left is made with chalk and sawdust, the test on the right is made with clay and sawdust. Although they are made with all natural materials i think it evokes an interesting conversation about what is natural, they may be natural materials however they have been unnaturally manipulated into a shape and a compound that would not be found in nature. Can they still be considered natural?

[aliciahazelelliott]

Kishio Suga, Law Of Multitude (Tabunritsu), 1975.

The installation consists of solidly standing slabs of knee-high concrete, over which a piece of plastic has been stretched taut and held down with large rocks. The work captures the aspect of Mono-ha, an art movement led by Japanese and Korean artists of the 20th-century. The Mono-ha artists explored the encounter between natural and industrial materials.

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Urs Fischer,  “You” 2007

You was an eight-foot deep crater that measured approximately 11.6 x 9.1 m, extending almost to the walls of the gallery. It was dug within the pristine white walls of a New York-based gallery. The pit took ten days to build and cost $250,000. It was dug using jackhammers to remove the concrete floor. I really like the destructive nature of this installation and how it already existed before the ground was broken, it just needed Fischer to expose it. I like the idea of returning nature, the earth, back to a room that was unlikely to ever see it again.