Archibiosis - The Co-constitutive relationship between Humans and Nature
Description
‘Archibiosis’ explores the potential of plant root-based biomaterial for creating an eco-responsive architecture by using environmentally informed design methods, This Thesis rethinks the relationship between architecture and the natural environment, with architecture not only catering humans but other ecosystems, rewilding our cities. The aim of the project is to design a modular prototype, which will reintroduce natural habitats we have destroyed in our cities. This will act as homes to other living beings, increase biodiversity, increase the economic value of an area, improve air quality and human well- being, while using material that is sustainable, reducing the carbon footprint, creating an ecological system that humans will care for and benefit from. This prototype will be designed out as a pavilion, where it then acts as an urban intervention, replacing bus stops, building around our streetlamps, and even added to our facades, where the community comes together to take care, reactivating the commons. This project will focus on achieving a symbiotic and care-based relationship between humans and nature by creating a co-constitutive practice between the two, where they build together, and benefit each other. It also focuses on nurturing nature, oikonomy, and layering to increase biodiversity. Plant roots, being the brain of the plant are incredibly intelligent, and I started experimentation and research in ways it can be incorporated in Architecture. They tighten and stitch themselves around patterns, reads its surrounding environment, and behaves accordingly. They flourish in agar, used as a type of transparent soil that creates a protective dry membrane around the roots. They can be harvested and used as a sustainable insulation material and can also be looked at as a living material, where it continues to grow and photosynthesis as proved in experimentation shown in this thesis, increasing the green index of our cities. Using plants and plant roots attracts other species, and therefore aids in increasing biodiversity. When layering I take inspiration from the concept of the holobiont. The design will represent the growth of plant roots and nature. The geometry is based on natural patterns and growth of plants. Thus, enhancing the performance of architecture by mediating and creating a symbiosis between man-made and nature. This project acts as a starting point for further research and design with plant roots applied in architecture, while also providing spaces catering for other ecological habitats, rewilding our cities.