Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)

Another environmental exemplar that could be used to create a protective shell:

Name: Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)
Habitat: Brazil
Strange Factor: Growing up to 18 inches, the plant is known for its movements. When the leaves are touched, they will droop downwards temporarily. The same thing occurs when the plant is shaken or deprived of water. Reacting to the absence of light, the leaflets fold together at night and droop downward until sunrise.

This is an example of a design which utilises this metaphor:

This in search of a different approach of ‘using’ the energy cycle. Known as a cycle between energy sources and their outputs. But, what if these come together and make architecture react autonomously, just like nature does? What if nature itself teaches us how to play with the climate, the energy and in the end: our world.

 Mimosa pudica (tickle me plant) is well-known for its rapid plant movement. In the evening, at sunset, the leaflets fold together and the whole plant collapses downwards. At sunrise it will reopen. The leaves will / shall also close under various other stimuli, such as, warming, touching or shaking.  The movement is caused by “a rapid loss of pressure in strategically situated cells that cause the leaves to droop right before one’s eyes”. One of the strategies of life- this is warmth, the climate is maybe the perfect method to change the architectural point of view towards the need to use energy. What if there is a material that reacts just like the mimosa pudica? Fortunately there is such a material named  the muscle wire, also known as: Shape Memory Alloy’s.

A shape memory alloy is an alloy that remembers its shape. After a sample of SMA has been deformed from its original crystallographic configuration.

Its regains its original geometry at high temperatures, simply during unloading. shape memory alloy’s react at temperatures above 30°C. When the sun shines upon the SMA, they easily get a temperature of 50°C: the whole structure will open in summer and will be closed in winter and night.

By making efficient use of this sun heated system, we can optimally play with the extra natural energy. For example, when the temperature is low the roof closes and warmth is preserved. When the temperature is high, the roof shrinks, and nature wind and shadow are used for cooling. by playing with this kind of energy we can keep comfort costs low.

Experimental Models

I took particular interest in the natural exemplar of the Pill Milipede as it reminded me of the segmented design of our initial Folie. I thought the interesting shapes that make up its segmented coat and the way it used their hinged mobility to roll into a protective ball could be well utilized in an architectural design.

This style could be used to combat vandalism, bad weather and flooding if it were made watertight.

Inspirational Images:

Experimental Models:

Complications and Restrictions

Complications and restrictions of the Howard Smith Wharves Site

1.    The connecting areas are well known for drug and drinking problems and popular hangouts for the homeless. This could restrict the usability of the area, especially at night. The structure would also be open to vandalism.

2.    This area was badly affected by the floods last year and there is a possibility it will happen again, any structure would have to be able to withstand flooding.

3.    Lack of connection to surrounding areas the space is very hidden, although the area connects to a bike path it is not particularly popular. Any structure would have to be publicized well in order to be properly utilized.

4.    Noise levels might affect the learning process.

5.    The site works well in fine weather, but is very exposed to the elements when the weather turns. The winds can get especially strong when travelling along the river.

6.    The sun can become very intense at the site especially in the height of summer.

The main complications that seem to need solving are protection from vandalism, protection from flooding, attracting the public, protection from rain and winds and protection from the sun.

General Protection Environmental Ideas:

Armor protects from predators: armadillo

"Many larger creatures recognize the value of having the least possible surface area. Rolling into a ball is a simple but effective form of defence, used by creatures as diverse as the woodlouse, the hedgehog, and the armadillo. The economy of shape is made even more effective by adding some form of flexible armour-plating on the surface of the sphere. All the vulnerable and vital organs and limbs are tucked away inside the protective casing, presenting a predator with a frustrating ball game instead of a meal." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:21)

Pill millipedes protect themselves from predators by rolling their jointed skeletons into a ball.

"The pill millipede has the same strategy: its hard outer skeleton is jointed so it can roll into an impregnable ball, enclosing its head and numerous legs in armour plating. Not only is there no easy way in for the predator, but it would also need a much larger mouth to swallow a rolled-up millipede than a long thin stretched-out one." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:21)

Attracting Public Environmental Ideas: 

The lower mandible of skimmer birds is used to improve their nighttime fishing technique by disturbing phosphorescent plankton in the water, attracting fish to the surface.

"The skimmer…has a unique fishing technique. It hunts at dusk or by night, flying low across the water, opening its beak and trailing its lower mandible in the water as it flies. This creates a line of light in its wake, which attracts fish. The bird then returns along the same path to pick up the fish, its beak snapping shut on contact with an edible object." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:154)

Protection from Wind Environmental Ideas:

Stems and branches of Arctic willow protect from strong winds via horizontal growth.

"A species of willow developed that does not grow vertically upwards, like its European and American relatives. To do so would be to risk being flattened by the ferocious Arctic wind. Instead, it grows horizontally, keeping close to the ground. Even in the most favourable circumstances it seldom exceeds four inches in height. But it may become as long as some of its southern relatives are tall. When you walk across a carpet of such prostrate trees, you are, in effect, walking over a woodland canopy." (Attenborough 1995:249)

Protection from Sun Environmental Ideas:

Organic nanoparticles secreted by English ivy rootlets absorb and scatter ultraviolet light thanks to large surface-to-volume ratio and uniformity.

"Zhang, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, along with his research team and collaborators, has found that ivy nanoparticles may protect skin from UV radiation at least four times better than the metal-based sunblocks found on store shelves today…

"Zhang speculated the greenery's hidden power lay within a yellowish material secreted by the ivy…It also has the ability to soak up and disperse light which is integral to sunscreens.

"'Nanoparticles exhibit unique physical and chemical properties due to large surface-to-volume ratio which allows them to absorb and scatter light,' Zhang said. 'Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are currently used for sunscreen for the same reason, but the ivy nanoparticles are more uniform than the metal-based nanoparticles, and have unique material properties, which may help to enhance the absorption and scattering of light, and serve better as a sun-blocker.'" (EurekAlert! 2010)

Theme Group 10: Learning from nature

This week we started our theme groups. Theme Group 10 focus’ on looking into nature for metaphors to achieve a better sustainable outcome in architectural design. In this group we will be turning our initial Folie designs into a learning center for the natural environment.

We are told to analyze our sites complications and restrictions and to proactively turn to nature to seek the solutions, asking:

“how would nature do it?”

Examples:

Green Building in Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds

Biomimicry’s Cool Alternative: Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, typifies the best of green architecture and ecologically sensitive adaptation. The country’s largest office and shopping complex is an architectural marvel in its use of biomimicry principles The mid-rise building, designed by architect Mick Pearse in conjunction with engineers at Arup Associates has no conventional air-conditioning or heating, yet stays regulated year round with dramatically less energy consumption using design methods inspired by indigenous Zimbabwean masonry and the self-cooling mounds of African termites!

Byssus threads of the blue mussel attach to a wet, solid surface due to catechols on adhesive proteins that overcome the surface’s affinity for water molecules.

 "Pounding waves are no match for the mighty mussel, that produces strong, flexible threads that cling to rocks…mussels secrete a unique amino acid called dihydroxyphenylalanine…Researchers have developed a new group of adhesives for wood products inspired by the ability of mussels to cling to rocks using thread-like tentacles. These threads are proteins that retain powerful adhesive properties even in water.” (ScienceDaily 2005)

 Application Ideas: Adhesive that works underwater or on wet surfaces and is not water soluble. Adhesive that works without formaldehyde, reducing exposure of workers, the public, and the environment to a recognized human carcinogen.

Water-Repelling Metals

New metals will keep engines and turbines dry and ice-free.

 Staying dry: A chemically treated plastic surface is rough on the Nano scale, forcing water droplets to form beads that can roll off. GE researchers have now done the same with metal.

The advance builds on previous work that came out of GE's Global Research Center, in Niskayuna, NY. Two years ago, researchers showed that they could make Lexan--a widely employed plastic that's used to create CDs, iPods, aircraft windscreens, and car headlamps--water-repellant. They did this by chemically treating the surface to make it rough. The researchers have now demonstrated the same effect on metal surfaces. Many other super hydrophobic materials have been demonstrated, but most have used some kind of plastic. Superhydrophobic metals open up many new applications, says Jefrey Youngblood, a professor of materials engineering at Purdue University. "Metallic structures are more robust and can survive in harsher environments, allowing for their use in applications where plastic is infeasible, [such as in] planes, trains, automobiles, heavy machinery, and engines," Youngblood says.

Site Analysis

Site Analysis

Nolli Map of the Howard Smith Wharves site

This View of the area highlights the openness of the site in comparison to its busy surrounds. This uncluttered space is enhanced by its position next to the equally uninhabited river. 

Traffic Analysis Howard Smith Wharves site

This Image gives a clear insight into the feeling of the chosen site.  Although low traffic roads flank the majority of the area, the noise from the story bridge can be heard throughout the site. This noise is distant enough that it does not impinge on the ambiance of the site, but provides an almost melodic backing that highlights the hidden quality of the site.

Contour Map of Howard Smith Wharves site

This image also emphasizes the concealed element of the area. The cliff works to shield the Howard Smith Wharves site from the Valley and City precincts while the vastness of the river separates it from the opposing side. The Area is so well hidden it goes unnoticed by many daily commuters.