News: Biologically-Inspired Concrete Bones published at The Open Shed

http://theopenshed.com/tossed/thesis/stick-s-lightweight-structural-system/

The thesis investigation started in 2010 as a M.ARCH research was posted at The Open Shed, a website of the School of Architecture of the University of Puerto Rico that recognizes relevant projects for Puerto Rico from local architects and architecture students. This research proposal is the first biomimicry-based project being developed in Puerto Rico in order to address the Caribbean seismic vulnerability.

“Buildings of the future will have skeletal structures able to respond to nature’s hazards”

Special thanks to: Yomara Rivera and FABLAB, PUCPR (3D Printed Building Bones)

Architecture Inspired by the Living Things published at METRO

http://biotectonica.blogspot.com/2013/03/arquitectura-inspirada-en-las-cosas.html

An article about the design theory and work progress of BioTectonica Design Studio was recently published at METRO Newspaper. This spring semester (2013) the studio has focused on the investigation and translation of biologically-inspired design. Such research aims to propose novel architecture strategies of resiliency. In fact, in the studio, the students are investigating on biomorphic structures that can actually change their shape in order to adapt to some nature’s hazards such as earthquakes or storms and many of its implications. Inspired by nature, some of the structures achieved are able to float as the Lotus leaf, to deform as a palm, to be elastic as the spiderweb, to dispel sea surges as the coral and the mangroves, and even to deform as bamboo and some existing rocks in caverns.

http://www.metro.pr/entretener/arquitectura-inspirada-en-las-cosas-vivas/pGXmcs!roLH5BaCqMICw/


Special thanks to Sonia E. Rivera and Angel O. Rivera

TIP: Teaching Nature’s Lessons of Structural Design

http://biotectonica.blogspot.com/

 

What structural parameter can we learn from a mangrove? What ecological feature can we translate from the bamboo fibers? Such biomimetic thinking must drive the next nature of buildings for a truly sustainable future. Bio-Tectonic Analogues in Architecture, a biomimicry-based design studio at the School of Architecture of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico was recently reviewed by Corriente Verde Environmental Magazine. Such studio is currently researching novel design features as defined by nature for environmental and resilient outcomes for future architecture for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

News: Making Architecture Indistinguishable from Nature

Last November 29, 2012 the lecture on architectural bio-technologies was presented at the School of Architecture of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce. Such lecture exposed biology-based technologies currently being developed for architecture’s upgrading in order to become more resilient to Climate Change and, therefore achieving better ecological outcomes.

Including the biomimicry-inspired concrete frame designed at the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, the lecture focused on how responsive materials, 3D bioprinting and synthetic biology would change the architecture’s paradigm for the future of the building’s industry. In fact, the main topic for the lecture was that The Architecture of the future isn’t about creating buildings, but of creating a Second Nature instead!

News: Transtectonica at Transhumanity.net

http://transhumanity.net/articles/entry/transtectonica-filling-cities-with-monsters

“… fabricating a monster. If the building can heal, if the building can grow, and if the building can even move, then it is no longer a building.”

Wilfredo Mendez essay Transtectonica was recently published at Transhumanity Network. The essay synthesizes a series of investigations on living-based technologies for a better architecture for the future. Such [bio]technologies will foster the building’s enhancement of its ecological outcomes and resilient capabilities. As well as transhumanity seeks to foster the human body upgrading thru avant-garde technology, Transtectonica seeks to upgrade buildings thru bluring the boundaries between architectural technology and biological design.

The same article was also published at The Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies!

Special thanks to Hank Pellissier, Transhumanity director