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.