Introduction
Creativity is the gift given to man by nature. Human Creativity knows no bound. Innovative people find inspiration to improve their work in each and everything they observe. Sky is the limit for those with innovativeness. Nature is like a teacher for man, and hence, it is the source of inspiration for flourishing the creativity. Nature is involved in every creative work, may it be art, painting, sculpture, or even architecture. If we observe the world around us, we can find several examples of creative works. If the creative work is to be applied in various fields, the experts are supported by modern technology. Technology rules the modern world these days, and it has occupied each and every field in existence. As technology has influenced all the fields, architecture is no exception. In the world of science and technology, we cannot carry on with the conventional method because the every field demands something unique. Procedure is more important than the material. It means that it does not matter what we produce, but how we produce is important. Representation of ideas is one of the fascinating characteristics of architecture. Architecture has an immense potential to exhibit one’s creativity on a large platform provided the person’s mind is occupied with loads of creative ideas. The human creativity comes from nature. There are several phenomena of nature, which have fascinated and triggered the imagination of the architects. These natural phenomena are utilized by the architects for their conceptualization. Among these nature’s phenomena, life form is an interesting topic for architects to adapt it and use it in the architectural structure. The paper first discusses biology; geometry in the context of architecture. The paper throws light on the term morphogenesis and its architectural context. It includes the detail study of the term morphogenesis with its definition and interpretation then discusses the term digital morphogenesis. The interpretation is given in context of the modern biology. The paper also gives examples of the adaptation of architectural design.
Biology is one of areas where nature’s creativity is at its best. Biological patterns are used widely in the area of interior designing. Furthermore they the patterns are also used for ornaments and decoration in the expressions of painter artists and architects. Here the researcher would like to explain the term of adaptation of nature through geometrical patter. The example is from the tribal art of India, i.e. Warli Art. The Warli Painting is the fine example of the nature’s representation in art, where Geometric figures of human beings, animals and plants are taken as the holistic pattern. The researcher found significant resemblance in Warli art and morphogenesis architecture. The following figure signifies human urge to follow nature pattern and Geometry in their representation of art.
As architecture involves thorough research, the stimuli are to be taken by nature for the structural application. On experiment and research point of view, architecture is not less than the scientists. Many experiments have been conducted while erecting a buildings and monuments since ancient time. As stated by Menges ‘Architecture, as a material practice, attains social, cultural and ecological relevance through the articulation of material arrangements and structures. Thus the way we conceptualize these material interventions and, in this context particularly the technology that enables their construction, presents a fundamental aspect in how we (re)think architecture. Paragraphs immediately following a heading are not indented.’ (Menges, 726)
The field of architecture experienced significant transition after the advent of technology. The creativity is now expressed with the use of technology in modern time. Softwares like Sketch- up, Cad, Cam, are some of the examples of technology used for architectural designs. The CAD CAM softwares are suggesting new ideas for the design of complex forms. Further they have helped to overcome the obstacles in computational representation. The designs which seemed to be difficult and expensive in past have been easily produced. The precise geometry of the building can be defined in a particular notational design. The CAD software is the one which has computerized the drawing and modeling process in a digital application. Previously before the development of CAD the drawing and modeling used to be performed by the analogue process.
Since architects are determined to be innovative, the nature’s influence is there in the representation. The technological development changed the architectural concepts completely. Instead of using age-old methods to sketch the designs the architects can easily complete the designs on softwares in a much lesser time. The modern architectural paradigms thus are formed with the help of digital technology. The gift of 3D printers by technology has immensely helped in the making of paradigms. Morphogenesis is one of such creative experiments in architecture. In the architectural terminology, morphogenetic is associated with a group of methods in which the role of digital media is significant. Here the brilliant idea used to combine the creativity of man and nature. It is a natural structure expressed through technology. The striking attribute of morphogenetic architecture is that it has related itself with a completely different branch, and that is biology. Many inspirations can be gathered from this branch like the structure of an organism ,the way they form, the way different body parts function, etc. The term can be elaborated with an example of the fish. In the respiration process, Dissolved oxygen is absorbed by the surface of the skin near the gills in a fish. In the same way, architects have now started designing eco-friendly buildings in which the skin of the building plays an important part. Taking an inspiration from the fish, the architects can successfully erect a sustainable building. For example the convention centre for Taichung, Taiwan has pleated exterior surfaces, which allow natural ventilation. This convention centre is designed in the shape of mountains to blend- in with the surroundings. ‘Studies of common and distinguishing features in architectural and natural morphogenesis are favorable to handle the problem of organic interaction between architecture and the natural environment, to create a comfortable, humanistic, and environmentally harmonic architecture. It is possible to use fractal algorithms, as well as visual images, models and metaphors of nonlinear dynamics in architectural projects.’(Kasyanov 269-288)
Biology as the Origin
The premises of a morphogenetic architecture can be traced back to the advent of modern biology and the experiments on the relation between evolutionary model and morphological studies. (Grobman) In biology the Geometry is used to describe shape of organism, tissues, cells and the organs. For example, the fractal geometry is used to identify the cancer cells faster and with more reliability. Morphogenetic architecture is very close to the biology. Biology and geometry are combined and the outcome is morphogenetic architecture. The biological forms and processes give inspiration to the architects while erecting a building or any construction. In morphogenesis architecture, the ideas from nature are adapted. The development or growth of organism takes place from inside. In plants it starts from the seed. In the same manner, the structure of the building develops from inside.
Yong Ha Kim has conducted a research called biological Growth in architecture in which he uses fundamental biological processes that can be replicated in architectural designing. The term metabolism is frequently used in biology. His research was based on metabolism. He explains that metabolism is fundamental system of living creatures. It is fundamental order for the biological growth. In architecture the biological growth can be operated as a catalyst and thus the architect can create an animated geometry. The catalyst gives a continuous stimulus in the architectural processes. These fundamental processes in architecture include the process from particle to line, from line to surface and from surface to line and again from line to particle. They are happening in the same sequence exactly as in biological processes. Furthermore Kim suggests that the architects can use the biological processes in architecture as a model to study and replicate its basic steps. (Kim)
Biology and Architecture
The architectural designing can be aligned with biology because it tries to include the concepts as well as techniques from nature. The observation of nature is the major process that is used to generate form-finding strategies. Form-finding strategy is a process of establishing a structural geometry for a mechanism to carry a particular load. The techniques include growth and adaptation, which are associated with nature. Architecture and biology are similar as both of these branches try to model growth and adaptation in silico, or performed on computer or with the help of computer technology. (Roudavski)
Analysis of computational design & Computational Morphogenesis
In architecture the computer technology is not the recent phenomenon. It has been used in architecture since 1960s. In 60s the computers used to be the tool for computational design. The development and emergence of personal computers further made the design easier and time saving. There was a significant impact of computers on architectural research and practice (Howard 1998). While describing the term digital architecture Liu and Lim state, ‘the ability to create and control more complex geometries, particularly in combination with computational tools for structural and environmental analysis and computer aided manufacturing for the actual fabrication process, has led to a new generation of buildings and proposals that are commonly referred to as digital architecture.’ (Liu and Lim, 2009) Computational design approaches can be explored and developed with immense creativity. But for that first of all it is necessary to have thorough knowledge about existing methodologies, tools and techniques of digital architecture. The architects need to focus on the three categories of existing architectural designs. These three categories are digital form definition, computerized form finding and computational form generation (Menges, 2010)
In the load of actually built project, there is an inconsistency between digital form definition and material reality of the building. This hampers the quality of the building. In such situation, the connection between biomorphic buildings and the world of living and non-living organism remain just on formal level. Computer based design facilitates us to involve in basic way by using the principle of higher level functionality and integration in nature. It further suggests new way of designing through the comprehensive set of computer techniques.(Hensel and Menges 2008)
‘Computational morphogenesis is the word that is generally used for expressing those techniques or ways of thought by which the configuration or the system itself of the structures is generated mainly through the usage of the computers, which is realized on the firm foundation of both FEM as a tool of numerical analysis and various kinds of method based on relatively newly developed algorithms for structural optimization.The major trait of natural morphogenesis is the formation and materialization processes are related intrinsically and inseparably.’(Ohamori p.1) The contemporary architecture is associated with the design approaches based on hierarchical relationship in which definition of form is preferable to its successive materialisation. The insight which shape in nature is developed from the interrelationship of material form, structure, and environment is very crucial for the research and design approach.
Using biology in building, morphogenetic architecture also has the environmental significance. In the growing population of the world, the environmental problem is also growing. The pollution is the main problem of today’s industrialization. To overcome this problem, the architects also are thinking about the sustainable building. While telling the environmental significance of morphogenetic architecture, Hensel and Menges state that the morphogenetic responsiveness can produce more flexible and environmentally sound architecture. Hensel and Menges are the great admirer of the eco-friendly approach while considering architecture. According to them “ecological understanding of architecture that promotes the differentiation of environmental conditions through a morphological intelligence, which promises not only a new spatial paradigm for architectural design, but also a far more sustainable one that links the performance capacity of material systems with environmental modulation and the resulting provisions and opportunities for inhabitation.”
Morphogenetic architecture can be termed as the representation of mathematical form of nature. Commonly, architecture is the branch near to geology, or civil engineering, geometry or mathematics. In morphogenesis the architects try to correlate the branch of architecture with biology. Morphogenesis is the term derived from Greek language. Morphogenesis is used in various branches such as biology, geology, In Biology; it is a process, which plays an important role in developing the shape of the organism. "Using Nature as our basis for design, a building or design must grow, as Nature grows, from the inside out. Most architects design their buildings as a shell and force their way inside. Nature grows from the idea of a seed and reaches out to its surroundings. A building thus, is akin to an organism and mirrors the beauty and complexity of Nature." (Mirzaei) Morphogenetic architecture mainly incorporates the concepts and processes of biology. Morphogenetic approach and its application is a striking idea in the current engineering and architectural structure. A continuing synthesis of biological evolution and development make it feasible to try exact new Engineering principles from the mechanism of morphogenesis. While applying the morphogenetic approach in architecture it is necessary first to study the concrete representational advantages of the approach. Morphogenesis in architecture works as a guide for maintaining integration of a design in the changing tendancies of the components. The biological forms and processes give inspiration to the architects while erecting a building or any construction. (Beal J.et.al) Nature is like a teacher that gives lessons to them. The structure of the building develops from inside. The architectural designing can be aligned with biology because Architecture designing tries to include the concepts as well as techniques from nature. The techniques include growth and adaptation which are associated with nature. Architecture and biology are similar as both of these branches try to model growth and adaptation in silico. Digital morphogenesis incorporates the major concepts such as emergence, self-organization and form-finding.(Hensel, Menges) “A system exhibits emergence when there are coherent elements at the macro-level that dynamically arise from the interactions between the parts at the micro-level. Such emergent are novel with regards to the individual parts of the system”. (Wolf & Holvoet) Self organization is also a very unique process. “Self-organization is a dynamical and adaptive process where systems acquire and maintain structure themselves, without external control” Roudavski explains the term in detail, He says, “Procedural, parametric and generative computer-supported techniques in combination with mass customization and automated fabrication enable holistic manipulation in silico and the subsequent production of increasingly complex architectural arrangements. By automating parts of the design process, computers make it easier to develop designs through versioning and gradual adjustment.
When we talk about the term emergence, it is the major prerequisite that the emergence should have the ability to adapt. The adaptability is essential in the process of self organization. Adaptation as defined by Flake is “a consequence of parallelism and iteration in a competitive environment with finite resources.” In Digital Morphogenesis the emergence and self-organization is utilized as generative principles.
In the biological language the term morphogenesis is used to refer several developmental aspects. If one wants to use it precisely, it is associated with forming certain shapes by moulding cells and tissues. In biological term, it means moulding of cells and tissues into a definite shape. (Waddington 433) The term morphogenetic is used to describe the several aspects involved in development process. 'In biology the word morphogenesis can be used to refer either to the structural changes observed in tissues as an embryo develops or to the underlying mechanisms responsible for the structural changes.' (Cowin & Doty 29) The morphogenetic processes include growth, repair, adaptation and ageing of the organism. If this process is studied and then the same knowledge is applied for designing, it would really be very productive especially for architectural structure.
Plant Morphogenesis
Plant morphogenesis is concerned with the origin and development of plant form and structure. Plant morphogenesis takes place mainly through differential growth. Permanent embryonic tissue results in a morphogenetic potential that varies greatly with the environment and continues to produce new organs throughout the life of the plant. Plant morphogenesis studied the process. Through the process; one comes to know that it involves many complexities. Plant morphogenesis involves several types of control mechanisms. Being a complex structure, direct experimentation and reverse engineering is difficult. Hence the mathematical and computational models are developed which facilitate simulating, and controlling the mechanisms. Computational modelling is an effective device for converting the processes in biology and architecture. In the study of morphogenesis the modern biology employs computational model in combination with experiments. The experiments are verified. Computational modelling of morphogenesis is geometrically less complex.
The major concepts such as emergence, self organization and form finding can be aligned with architectural structure. There are computational models of morphogenesis in botany. They suggest the similarities between architectural cellular structures and the Parasite. The examples describe concrete, working mechanism.
Diffusion-limited-Aggregation Process
The need for morphogenesis architecture lies in the scarcity of resources. It is the need of today’s world to work with available resources. Sometimes the resources are very scarce. Morphogenesis guides the architects to utilize the available resources in their structure. It is also the requirement for the architecture to tune themselves with the changing environment and its impacts.The diffusion-limited-aggregation process is an example of morphogenesis architecture. It is seen in many natural systems and living organisms. Parasitic architecture inspired by fungus and their colonies, can make the structure flexible. With the growing population, the major cities of the world are overcrowded. It has resulted into the scarcity of open space. In such circumstances, the parasitic architecture can be the solution to the problem of structural density of cities. In a biological term parasitism is a biological relationship between two organisms. The parasite is completely dependent upon the host organism for its growth and survival. The parasite in biology has two categories; one is endoparasites, and second in ectoparasites. (Bush 2001 & Deverall 1981)The earlier type of parasites lives inside the host organism, while the later does not grow within the organism. The parasitic architecture holds the same concept and lifestyle of parasites. Parasite architecture is a temporary and flexible structure, which can be supported by the existing and permanent infrastructure. Parasite architecture can be explained as self-contained new buildings which are attached to the existing structure or we can call it a host structure. These parasite buildings are benefitted by the existing structure in various ways, such as source of energy, water supply etc. Parasite architecture is effective especially in urban areas or overpopulated cities, occupied with structural density.
Distribution of Structural Features by Morphogenesis
If we take into consideration the following figure, it shows differentiation of epidermal cells into trichomes in Arabidopsis. The pattern here is triggered by the interaction between regulatory genes. The ability to generate several patterns by a procedure in complex cell congregations can be valuable for various purposes, right from decorative to structural. The figure shows that the computational model of morphogenesis can variously distribute structural features (for example cells) and their properties (colour)
Another example of morphogenetic architecture is the Venus Basket Sea Sponge shape tower in London. The biological elements are frequently used in designing the architecture. The plant or the animals become the inspiration for erecting the buildings. The London tower built in 2004 is the structure adopted from the structure of Venus Basket Sea Sponge. A six hundred feet glass tower was built in London in 2004; it was designed like a missile. But the concept was not the erection of missile like design. It was a Venus’ Flower Basket sea sponge. The tower has an environmental significance. It reduces stresses and provides natural ventilation. One major reason behind imitating plant it its capacity to harness the solar energy.
Esplanade is a theatre in Singapore. It is built by DP Architects. The skin of the building is inspired by Durian fruit. The spiky skin of the building resembles the spiky skin of the durian fruit. One can call the building as a botanical building.
Taipei 101 is another example of the adaptation of plant design in architecture. It is the huge tower and it had been the tallest tower in the world from 2004 to 2009. While erecting this structure the architects C.Y. Lee and partners have taken the inspiration from the slender bamboo. When look at the picture, we can easily resemble the building with the bamboo tree.
The imitation of nature is the human tendency. While imitating the nature, the architects follow the plants or animals that belong to that particular region. The regional nature influences the architects. Dubai has desert and the desert plants and trees such as palm trees grow there. An artificial island was established in Dubai. The island shapes like a palm tree. It has the both commercial and residential establishment.
Conclusion
The paper has discussed the morphogenesis architecture in the advent of technology. Though morphogenesis is the sustainable answer to today’s world, the knowledge has not yet been exploited. Even today the morphogenesis in architecture is rarely used. The thorough study of biology has rarely been included in architecture. The architects have not yet developed their sense and knowledge in biology. Biology is a vast subject. The architects have very limited knowledge and resources available from this area. Technology is not yet applied fully. Yet there is a wide scope for creativity in technological application also. The rare use of morphogenesis architecture is due to the thorough knowledge of biology, and technology. For morphogenesis project, a deep study, observation and theoretical approach is very important. It is still lacking. The morphogenetic architecture can offer a wide spectrum to the architects. It gives various dimensions for research and experiments to the architecture. The dimensions yet have not been studied in the field of architecture. The analytical skill and capacity to observe things from nature have yet to be developed among the architects. For that they need proper orientation and guidance. Nature is the major source of inspiration. The imitation of nature has never been harmful as nature is always perfect. Imitation of nature can facilitate to make the building sustainable one. More research is required in the field of imitation of nature and sustainability.
References
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