Biomimicry Technology Integration & Art Installation
Background
The Biomimicry Frontiers team worked with the project design leads at TRIDEL to determine practical applications of biomimicry that could be integrated into the built environment. The project was completed with an art piece, symbolizing the conscientious build and reminding those passing by that even in the busy hustle of a city, a connection to nature can be found.
Goal
Ensuring that the FORM building had practical applications of biomimicry through technology integration that would make a difference and showcasing the power of biomimicry with an art-piece that honours the biomimicry technology integrated into the building and reminds others that nature-based design is an innovative way forward.
Biomimicry-Inspired Technologies
As the project progressed, so did our biomimetic development strategy. This lead to the integration of the following biomimicry-inspired technologies into the apartment complex: Carboncure concrete and Ornilux windows.
Carboncure concrete: “CarbonCure manufactures a technology that introduces recycled CO₂ into fresh concrete to reduce its carbon footprint without compromising performance. Once injected, the CO₂ undergoes a mineralization process and becomes permanently embedded.”
Ornilux windows: “With the understanding that birds are able to see light in the ultraviolet spectrum, bird-friendly glass innovator, ARNOLD GLAS developed ORNILUX Bird Protection Glass. The glass has a patterned, UV reflective coating making it visible to birds while remaining virtually transparent to the human eye.”
Art | The Fibonacci sequence
The project was completed with a living wall art piece. Biomimicry Frontiers commissioned custom-made moss-filled hexagons from the Fat Plant Society, a moss interior design studio based in Kansas, to show on the wall the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13). The Fibonacci sequence is a pattern that is ubiquitous in nature and was the source of our President’s shift in thinking back in 2004. As an engineering student, this sequence helped inspire him to realize that engineering can be done differently if we tap into the design genius of nature. It is also a representation of the poetic beauty found in nature and thus felt integral to be included in our art piece. An explanation of the inspiration for the build was printed on wood and hung next to the moss-filled hexagons so that anyone who stops to stare would receive an explanation of both the biomimicry-inspired technology and the sequence represented.
Resources
Tridel FORM https://www.tridel.com/form/
CarconCure https://www.carboncure.com/
Ornilux Windows http://www.ornilux.com/
Fat Plant Society https://www.thefatplantsociety.com/
