PICNIC Organic Design Living Architecture Rachel Armstrong TEDGlobal Fellow, Teaching Fellow, AVATAR group The Bartlett School of Architecture [email_address]

Living Architecture New model of sustainable architectural practice that directly connects the built environment to nature

New model of sustainable architectural practice that directly connects the built environment to nature

Architecture as Biosphere Living Architecture is part of the biosphere Integrated through common chemical language called metabolism Metabolism connects living systems to the environment

Living Architecture is part of the biosphere

Integrated through common chemical language called metabolism

Metabolism connects living systems to the environment

Metabolic Materials Materials that are capable of metabolism These materials are ‘living’ and can be thought of as Living Technology

Materials that are capable of metabolism

These materials are ‘living’ and can be thought of as Living Technology

Living Technology Possess some but not all of the properties of living systems Qualitatively different to 20 th century technologies with which we are familiar Capable of growth, movement, sensitivity, repair, complex behaviour and even reproduction

Possess some but not all of the properties of living systems

Qualitatively different to 20 th century technologies with which we are familiar

Capable of growth, movement, sensitivity, repair, complex behaviour and even reproduction

Low Tech Biotech For practical purposes in the built environment, these materials need to be robust, safe, ubiquitous and inexpensive

For practical purposes in the built environment, these materials need to be robust, safe, ubiquitous and inexpensive

Innovation by Design Use existing metabolic systems and materials to create the desired outcome ‘ Cellular Gardening’

Use existing metabolic systems and materials to create the desired outcome

‘ Cellular Gardening’

Growing Silicon Bone Diatom factory Growing silicon bone that combines structural and semi-conductor properties Courtesy Shin Tseng

Innovation by Invention Low tech, chemical computers Protocell technology: an example of Living Technology NO DNA Based on the chemistry of oils Programmable using inorganic chemistry Can produce architectural outcomes

Low tech, chemical computers

Protocell technology: an example of Living Technology

NO DNA

Based on the chemistry of oils

Programmable using inorganic chemistry

Can produce architectural outcomes

Protocell Technology

Protocell Cluster

Modification of Environment

Skin Shedding

Producing Solid Material

Protocell Pearl

Protocell Shell

Sustainably Reclaiming Venice Protocell technology programmed to move away from light and deposit limestone under the wood pile foundations of the historic city Generation of an artificial reef New ecological niches for marine organisms

Protocell technology programmed to move away from light and deposit limestone under the wood pile foundations of the historic city

Generation of an artificial reef

New ecological niches for marine organisms

Protocell Technology Protocell technology Programmed to create solid out of dissolved carbon dioxide Courtesy Christian Kerrigan

Protocell Photosensitivity Protocell technology under wood piles underneath Venice Programmed to move away from light filled canals to darkened foundations Courtesy Christian Kerrigan

Protocell Activation Protocell technology petrifying foundations Protocell technology forms solid materials by crystallization and accretion Courtesy Christian Kerrigan

Venetian Artificial Reef Artificial Reef underneath Venice Sensitive to environmental variables and local marine ecology Courtesy Christian Kerrigan

Summary It is possible to ‘solve’ climate change by addressing the underlying chemistry contributing to Global Warming Living Architecture is one way in which we can start to do this

It is possible to ‘solve’ climate change by addressing the underlying chemistry contributing to Global Warming

Living Architecture is one way in which we can start to do this