Biomimmicry

Professor: Harris Dimitropoulos

Year: Second-year student project

Assignment: ​Study two protozoa species, design a hybrid with combined functions. Use hybrid to inspire an architectural solution analogous to the problem the protozoa solves. Results in sustainable living machine that balances ecosystem.

Precedent:  Jean Nouvel's Institut du Monde Arabe (responsive to natural environment), Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion House, living machines, Archigram, and SuperStudio.

Concept: Analogous to the purpose of the given protozoa (Arcella & Plasmodium), the hybrid is designed to filter water. Inspired building serves the dual function as an aquarium, drawing  water in, as well as a filtration center, cleaning water and pumping it back into use. 

Design: The hyposurface design senses whether the water pressure is too low to force marine life into the tank/aquarium, then reacts by moving in a pumping motion to "swallow" more ocean water.

Programs: Grasshopper 3D (algorhythmic modeling),                                Rhinoceros 3D, 3DStudio Max.