Concept Biomimetic Presented By: Architect : K A R E E M A F I F I by Dennis L. Dollens and Ignasi Pérez Arnal 0619/tools_1-1.html

Concept BiomimeticConcept Biomimetic

Presented By:Presented By:

Architect : K A R E E M A F I F I Architect : K A R E E M A F I F I

by Dennis L. Dollens and Ignasi Pérez by Dennis L. Dollens and Ignasi Pérez Arnal Arnal

http://www.architectureweek.com/http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0619/tools_1-1.html2002/0619/tools_1-1.html

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19 June 2002 19 June 2002

Plants as concept generators for biomimetic lightweightstructures

with variable stiffness and selfrepairMechanisms

Keywords: bionics, biomimetics, selfrepair,pneumatic structures, Tensairity

Plants possess many structural and functional properties that have a high potential to serve as concept generators for the

production of biomimetic technical materials and structures.

The primary goal is conceptually describing andmodeling the structure and function of interior pressurized

linings in hollow plant organs and the selfrepairCharacteristics

This can be realized by

(1) physical models transferring the structural features of plants into technical structures, (2) theoretical modeling with computer programs for finite elements or other

numerical modeling methods (3) the insights from basic biological research and modeling processes will be transferred into

industrial products with variable stiffness and selfrepair mechanisms.

INTRODUCTION

Plants serve as generators of biological concepts for technical structures with variable stiffness. Their structure

is characterized by a thin outer ring of strengtheningTissue The stability of these stems depends

significantly on the internal pressurethe outer ring of strengthening tissue is connected

via wedge-shapedelements with an inner ring of

strengthening tissue forming a mechanically resistant sandwich structure.

Structures with selfrepairMechanism

The ability to heal fissures and injuries is characteristic,and an essential feature, of living organisms. It

can even be considered a basic requirement for survivalin natural environments. In technical materials and

structures, however, selfrepairis apart from a few examples

almost entirely absent. A central aim of ourresearch is to analyze fast healing processes in plants

quantitatively and to transfer the insights into biomimeticself repairing

technical materials.

ConceptConcept

By looking at biological and botanical life for By looking at biological and botanical life for ideas that can be exported to architecture ideas that can be exported to architecture

branching, membranes, photosynthesis, leaf branching, membranes, photosynthesis, leaf phyllotaxis, aesthetics, etc. an agenda of phyllotaxis, aesthetics, etc. an agenda of

design concepts can be proposed that design concepts can be proposed that simulates desirable properties found in nature simulates desirable properties found in nature for deployment in building. Material scientists for deployment in building. Material scientists

are looking to a process called biomimetic are looking to a process called biomimetic investigation where researchers look to natural investigation where researchers look to natural forms of life and organic elements shells, fish, forms of life and organic elements shells, fish,

bacteria, plants, animals, spiders, etc. for bacteria, plants, animals, spiders, etc. for properties such as hardness, lightness, properties such as hardness, lightness,

strength, softness, stickiness, etc., to extract strength, softness, stickiness, etc., to extract for new materials and new ways of for new materials and new ways of

manufacturing. manufacturing.

Spiral BridgeSpiral Bridge

Dennis Dollens Dennis Dollens with Ignasi Pérez Arnal , Barcelona with Ignasi Pérez Arnal , Barcelona

Digital-Botanic Architecture by Dennis Dollens



Aim of work

How to integrate new, digitally generated designs into environmentally sensitive sites with appropriate (and often technological materials) ?

DesignMore specifically, the master plan for a community designed by Pérez Arnal’s architectural practice in Barcelona, called for the bridging of a small, tree-lined ravine and stream—a beautiful greenbelt bisecting the French site. Housing is located on one side of the stream, a clubhouse and swimming pool on the other. Our Spiral Bridge links the two and is the larger of two footbridges for the community. It is intended to function as a semi-transparent design structure carefully embedded in the site with little or no affect on the existing trees.




Project description

The bridge’s three intersecting, differently scaled, spirals are derived from two “visual biomimetic” observations stemming from:

1) the biologically produced glass strands of the euplectella sponge grow in quadric lattices around a cylindrical-like sectional form creating a skeletal mesh that is further interwoven with grown spirals (giving us a clue to how nature could fashion spiraling forms over linear elements)

2) the helicopter-like fall/flight of the winged seed pod that invisibly inscribes a spiral in flight along a curving flight path.

3) The Spiral Bridge is in the final phases of design. It is 20 meters long and 4 meters at its height. The spirals were generated on a modified catenary curve determined by physically hanging a rope from one side of the site to the other then photometrically digitizing the resulting curve.




The Spiral Bridge is in the final phases of design .


Digitally-Growing Structure, Space, SurfaceDigitally-Growing Structure, Space, Surface Dennis Dollens—BioMimetic Architecture Dennis Dollens—BioMimetic Architecture


Digitally-Growing Structure, Space, SurfaceDigitally-Growing Structure, Space, SurfaceDennis Dollens—BioMimetic Architecture Dennis Dollens—BioMimetic Architecture

One Project, Three Steps

In order to manage the potential scale of such a project I have outlined a process that uses three building elements that can each be considered in physical and theoretical termsstructure, volumetric space, skin(membrane). and From these three basic architectural elements he has experimented in order to begin a series of design “growths” that could each be used in different ways and at different scales.



1- Growing Structure (branches)

A branching structure was begun as a root system and as it progressed it became apparent that it would function better as branches so he inverted the file and removed two for the four initial branches. With a basic tree he began to experiment with different growth parameters available like phototropism, gravitropism, number of faces, etc.and used these variables until a digital growth was realized that branched upward, exhibited prismatic faces (loosely like Gothic tracery), and was highly asymmetrical within an apparent symmetry. his intention was to create not only a column that could be used in various ways but to also create a structural armature that could be used without the tree-trunk as a central, structural armature (illustrated supporting floors that initially were grown from the branches).



2. Growing Space (seed pods)

Having used growth parameters to create the “Gothic” profile within a tree for the column, I realized that other types of more geometric, more spatial manipulations were possible so iterated, nested, and distorted platonic solids became my focus in an attempt to grow crystal-like grouped spaces. And to support such a growth in a geometric armature, in this case what look like spider legs. As the renderings and the model demonstrate, this process produces a massed-system of interconnecting geometries that with further articulation could be seen as a building.



3. Growing Surface (leaves as monocoques)

The third experiment, after the development of pod-spaces and the tree column, was to grow a leaf that could be articulated or multiplied for a canopy or roof segment; additionally it could join the tree as an object within a grown design lexicon. The initial impulse for this came from an intention to collaborate with a Barcelona-based architect on a competition entry for a civic project in Pontecagnano, I literally grew a leafed plant of no particular genus. The idea was that a very large, light-weight canopy could be built like an airplane wing, a monocoque, with integral skin and structure; and that the individual leaf-like canopy could then be a repeated module in an irregular truss construction or could use the grown column to support individual units. advanced production methods using new plastics, resins, metals, or composites a related design surprise was emerging from the initial renderings. From some vantage points the canopy complex looked like the wings of a bird in flight .; yet from several other perspectives the elevation looked like the ruffled botanic leaves of a plant. One view was rhythmic even with asymmetrical scale changes.




Conclusion

Biomimetic Synthesis— Currently being designed is a root system where individual roots generate splines which in turn are used to generate walls. Above, a root cluster determining intersecting and connected spaces as an experimente in structure, space, and surface

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Concept Biomimetic Presented By: Architect : K A R E E M A F I F I by Dennis L. Dollens and Ignasi Pérez Arnal 0619/tools_1-1.html