BEROL , Christian

introduction
The idea is not to make buildings look like botanic
organisms. The idea is to interlace nature and architecture,
enabling the design of hybridized, biological structures.
the overall aim is to create new architectural species
incorporating natural attributes ordered in performance, materials,
mechanics, communications, and form. Designing prototype
structures to remotely sense and execute tasks such as passive air
filtration, heat transfer, and water reclamation justifies the
expectation that experimental bio-architecture will necessarily
collaborate with science and technology.
eTree Generation.
One program for simulating plant morphology is Xfrog.
The software is generally employed to computationally
grow lifelike digital trees, shrubs, and flowers for special
effects in film. Xfrog has the ability to produce forms based
on botanic attributes, imparting to its 3D files selected
attributes of living organisms
eTree Generation.
its design-growth parameters can
also be tasked to generate original
structures based on the organic-derived
algorithms it uses to mimic, say, an oak or
an elm. Metaphorically, such manipulation
may result in species of digitally grown
design.
Example :
branching, leafing, and spiraling.
Above: Flexible STL eTree, digitally grown in Xfrog, whose trunk has
been repressed in favor of piercing, interlocking, looped branches and tendrils.
STL eTree illustrating branches looped and fused into the trunk, creating a
3D truss, column, or beam
eTree Generation.
Metaphorically, such manipulation may result in
species of digitally grown design. For example, branching
in trees may be transformedin a sense,
computationally hybridizedto produce experimental
structures with a botanic performance and heritage.
These types of environmental response are directly
inspired from observing plantsbringing to mind Claus
Matthecks idea for trees as instructors for designers
(Mattheck, 1998). The idea behind such design research is
to fuse botanical aesthetics, biological function, digital
programming, and structural performancelooking first
to natural forms and organisms, then finding useful
properties, and finally interlaying that information in a
projects design.
Digital Botanic
1) attempt to identify design principles,
generative strategies, or aesthetic logic secreted
in plants
2). reflect that information in digital simulations
3). develop the simulations as responsive
projects with physical models.
In a recombinatory sense, to hybridize biological ideas with
architectural formsevolve new systems from themand then articulate
the new design into parts and pieces capable of supporting and sheathing
experimental buildings.
Digital Botanic
Design experiments of this kind lead
toward botanically-informed architectures
carrying the generative heritage of digital files
originally modeled as simulated plants. The
projects do not exactly mimic a plants aesthetic,
morphology, or anatomy but are, nevertheless,
algorithmic cousins infused with plantlike
proportions and morphological mathematics.
Conclusion
One vision for integrating buildings and
biological design includes inventing new
architectural systemsthinking of them as
natural; thinking that architecture is part of
nature.
A parallel strategy
fosters collaborations
between design, biology, and
industry thereby
encouraging designers to
enter industrial and
manufacturing production in
order to create new
biomaterials.
3D test components populated over a
warped surface by ParaCloud for testing the idea of
individual monocoques as part of an aggreate
curtain wall.

Seed to Panels Almond shell interior, exterior, and
structural in between = natures monocoque.
Conclusion
Such buildings are likely to be
nurtured, and their functions guided, from
software, computation, environmental
sensors and actuators, and later from
living systems. In this scenario, software
and scripting become interpretive tools
for generating, analyzing, and integrating
design into nature.

illustrating tests for
parametrically linked components
of faade panels as possible
elements for deformable skins.

Below the
almond: three panel
designs for
interchanging interior
and exterior air,
developed between
1999 and 2006 and
related to the self
shading
Tower for Los Angeles
Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) are ideally suited
for providing very good thermal insulation with a
much thinner insulation thickness than usual. In
comparison with conventional insulation materials
such as polystyrene, the thermal conductivity is up to
ten times lower.
Maximum thermal resistance can be achieved
with minimum insulation thinness. At 0.005 W/mK,
the thermal conductivity of VIPs is extremely low.
The thickness of these VIPs ranges from 2mm to
40mm.

Thermal insulation: Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs)
Different sized
vacuum
insulation panels in
storage.
VIP insulation
must be made
to measure &
fitted precisely
on site.
Vacuum insulation panels can be used both for
new buildings constructions as well as in conversion
and renovation work and can be
applied to walls as well as floors. The lifetime of
modern panels is generally estimated at between 30
and 50 years. It can be applied not just for buildings
but also to insulate pipelines, in electronics and for
insulating packages, for example for the cool chain
transport of medications.
-Passive temperature regulation.
-Reduced heating and cooling demand.

Temperature regulation: Phase change materials (PCMs)
The good thermal retention of PCMs can be used
both in new and existing buildings as a passive
means of evening out temperature fluctuations
and reducing peak temperatures. It can be used
both for heating as well as cooling.

Right; an image of an opened microcapsule
embedded in a concrete carrier matrix, taken using
SEM. Left; an image of minute paraffin-filled capsules
in their solid state, taken using light microscopy. They
exhibit an exceptionally high thermal capacity and
during a phase change turn to liquid.

As PCM is able to take up energy (heat) without
the medium itself getting warm, it can absorb
extremes in temperature, allowing indoor areas to
remain cooler for longer, with the heat being
retained in the PCM and used to liquefy the
paraffin. Energy is stored latently when the material
changes from one physical state to another,
whether from solid to liquid or from liquid to
gaseous. The latent warmth or cold, which
effectively fulfils a buffer function, can be used for
temperature regulation.
Layer composition of a decorative
PCM gypsum plaster applied to a masonry
substrate. Although only 15mm thick, it
contains 3KG of microencapsulated latent
heat storage material per square meter.
is an aluminum based construction material
with coating applied as a free-flowing, dry
powder.
The powder coating on the aluminum helps to
enhance the ability of the metal to
resist corrosion and damage from the
elements, which becomes ideal for outdoor
use.
is generally a chromium free combination of
various phosphates and blends of fine particles
of such metals as titanium.
High precision in machining, excellent surface
treatment , lightweight & durable, and the
design, color, size can be customized, emits
volatile organic compounds
(VOC), thicker coatings, cost effective,
corrosion, weather, heat, alkali, and impact-
resistance
Powder Coated Aluminum

solution for creating
beautiful & cost effective
cladding from Aluminum
Composite Panels
extra-rigid material which,
although has outstanding
flatness properties, can still
be fabricated into shapes
build around a thermoplastic
core (2.5mm), bonded to
which are two sheets of
Aluminium (0.5mm), using a
sophisticated process
involving chemical adhesives
and high temperatures.
Cladding Panels - Alupanel XT
outward facing sheet is coated with
a 30 micron layer of Polyvinylidence
Difluoride (PVdf) paint.
highly resistant to corrosive
atmospheric conditions, solvent,
acids, UV, heat and low smoke
exposure.
covered with PE primer finish which
prevents any contact between the
aluminium and the atmosphere,
protecting it against corrosion.
The Core material of Alupanel XT is
produced from the first grade
polyethylene which is formed into
sheets by extrusion process.
Alupanel XT is available between 3-
6mm thick.
Iconic Building
ALEXANDRIA
NANOUNIVERSITY
Philosophical project NanoCity
The approach for designing this Nanouniversity is inspired by the
life cycle and material structure. The Faculty of engineering represents
the center of the molecule which is the Atom that can't be separated
from the orbiting electrons (the other faculties that support the
technology advancement made by the research center of the
university). The Links between the buildings are the arteries of the
project simulating the human body arteries and veins which connect
all parts of the project together and to the center of the research and
studies in the university making it the center of learning and the heart
of scientific researches of nanotechnologies. The materials used in the
university are nanomaterials and recyclable to ensure a long life cycle
to the project and buildings. All buildings of the university are
environmental friendly and do not produce emission making it a zero
emissions campus. Energy used in the project is clean and harvested
from the wind turbines supported in the northern parts of the site
and also the solar panels embedded in the facades.