Assignment 2 Non-Linear Systems Biology Review

BENV2426 Experimental Modelling – Assignment 2 Tier 1

Non-linear Systems Biology and Design

Non-linear Systems Biology and Design – Surface Design

The purpose of this study is to explore the fundamental processes in living systems. The topic being discussed relates to the potential application in the novel design responsive surfaces and spatial structures. The articles I have chosen focus on investigations of studies between nonlinear systems in biology and architectural design. The resulting product is an abstract surface architecture that has the ability to respond to both environmental and interior programmed systems.

The articles discuss how through these studies architects are able to gain a new way of thinking about design, incorporating the dynamic feedback and reciprocity of the 3-D models created. The project reflects the relationship between the interior and exterior environment much like an architectural project, and allows for an abstract understanding of the form relating to dynamic conditions. As digital and physical algorithms are developed, geometric abstraction gives rise to the formation of the spatial structures and allow for these to shape shift, just as an architect would create iterations of their work.

Architects similarly to pathologists both have concerns as to how form is generated or lost, and this reflects in the relationships that have emerged between these two fields. Both fields provide models that provide vital information in their respective areas; architects are able to provide tensegrity structures and geodesic domes allowing for increased insight into how living systems function and are assembled. Models borrowed from biology allow for the emergence of complex, non-linear global sys­tems from simple local rules of organisation. This in turn has led to the new discovery of structural organisations in architectural design. Through these developments studied within this text it allows for architects to look to nature to design better structures. Many structures today are developed based on those we see in the world around us such as spider webs, providing a stepping stone for how nonlinear systems within biology are used in design. Using these parts of nature as a starting point has allowed for various architects and engineers to branch off and use other forms of nature to create structures that have never been seen before, yet still follow the concept of nonlinear systems.

These discoveries and research have led to more collaborations between architects and biologists that gives rise to new modelling concepts that has expanded the spectrum as realms of work start to intertwine allowing for new relationships and blueprints of algorithms that can be designed at all scales. This allows for certain aspects of design to be transformed and adapted to particular environments, whether it is by scaling or stretching. These ideas and changing ideas allow for designed objects to be transformed in the way nature changes, allowing for architecture to mimic nature. The future of architecture and design is in genetic engineering, biotechnology and universal computing, and could in fact be modelling through the mutation of code or design.

In conclusion, the ideas and concepts present within these texts have allowed for collaboration between these realms in the world. The relationships and cooperation has led to more advanced and complex developments not only in architecture but also various sciences and engineering. However, we do not design buildings after the structure of nonlinear biology, but architects can use these concepts to develop architectural contexts. These new abstract models provide new approaches for designing and fabricating shells, spatial and structures that can shift and transform in alternative and scalable contexts.

Assignment 2 Nature Review

BENV2426 Experimental Modelling – Assignment 2 Tier 1

Natural Geometry in Architectural Design

Exploring Complex Forms in Nature Through Mathematical Modelling

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship and links between the realms of nature and architecture. The sources I have chosen discuss how complex forms of architecture are developed through mathematical modelling of natural geometry in objects and organisms. They show that nature will always be a stimulant for the development of ideas within architecture and provides architects with “new potential solutions for their problematic”. The concept of “biomimetic” is explored throughout the texts as architects imitate and learn from nature, expressed through tree-like, web-like, skeleton-like, pneumatic and shell like structures, that is reflected in architecture today. This provides natural inspiration for architects, which is considered to be a visual expression of nature. However, many architects use these methods and natures geometry to set an analogy between natural and architectural forms.

The texts aim to firstly answer the question of “what/how architects can learn from the optimized futures and efficiencies in the formation of processes in nature?” This question is answered by showing that all inspiring natural forms and structures are very complex and difficult to understand as a whole when considering structural, physical and material properties in relation to architecture. The source then states that the development of a way of transferring these ideas from nature into architecture is needed, this being a “thinking model”.  An example of this process is known as a computation cycle, whereby complex geometry within nature is analysed, which inspires the complex forms and structures of architecture in the modern era. The idea of “Real problems” in the natural world due to the large numbers of parameters and variables means that mathematical modelling is the only way to solve such issues. This means that architects must follow steps to learn from the natural world, these being that they must observe the real model and then simplify it, prepare the working model and decide on the variables and parameters. They then must create the mathematical model as an abstract or simplified version of the complex form of geometry. Therefore, perceptions of nature in the architectural realm have been changing due to the impact of technological advances, and that abstracting the natural form and structures using mathematical models would be beneficial in exploring the natural realm to create new forms and structures. Through this modelling process discussed within the source it shows how our conceptual models are related to the physical model of nature in the real world. Not only is an understanding of nature’s form and structure developed, architects are also learning from the abstraction.

Through the example of ‘Sea Shells’ it is evident how complex geometry within nature is expressed through architectural design. The shell today is common in both the natural man-made world due to the high structural performance and the shelter provided within. Shells provide the architecture with form and an exterior surrounding that are capable of spanning over large distances without needing any internals supports, which in turn provides an open interior. These forms of shell geometry show us the link between modern architecture and complex geometry within nature, providing a gateway of endless opportunities as each piece of nature is individual and inspiring in its own way.

The articles I have chosen provides us with the information needed to link nature and architecture that can be built upon two approaches. The first being the development of architectural form through sketches of forms, using properties of colour, pattern and textures, and the other is learning from natural forms and applying this to architectural form, following its behavioural and generative properties. As we learn from nature, we are open to a new platform for finding complex geometry in architecture. The intention of this research is to inspire more interest in the analysis of natural forms through the integration of architecture and technology into the example of “seashells” and their “implementations in architecture”. Similarly in architecture, our perception of nature has been changing through the impact of the developing computational technologies and tools. Basically, abstraction/simplification of natural complex forms/structures by mathematical models would be a starting point to explore inspiring forms.