Architectural Design through the Geometrical Principles of Biological Growth

Ricardo Massena Gago

doi:10.3311/ppar.9891

Abstract

This research is in the field of biological design; more specifically it deals with the decoding of geometrical patterns of ecological shape and their transfer to architectural design. The transfer of these qualities is made through the construction of a geometric design tool, based on biological organization principles (growth). The morphologic pattern is decoded using two distinct drawing tools: shape grammars and Voronoi diagrams. The design tool allows the separation of biologic design from its ecologic references (biological structures), by generating a wide range of human structures with their morphological identity. The tool aims at reaching a morphological coherence between biological and human structures by introducing in human design certain qualities of biological morphology, such as evolutionary balance, integration ability in the environment, structural fluidity and structural multifunctionality.

Highlights

In recent years, human design of biologic purpose has been experimenting generative design processes distinct from those currently used in the field
The research focuses on three distinct themes: 1) identification of design processes potentiated with biological qualities; 2) interpretation of biologic geometry approaches and 3) identification of design tools that allow the reproduction of natural patterns
5 Conclusions Some geometrical characteristics of the defined biological pattern have already been implemented in other research lines

Summary

Introduction

Human design of biologic purpose has been experimenting generative design processes distinct from those currently used in the field. 2) develop a design tool, able to generate structures of architectural character with two purposes: on one hand, to be able to implement these qualities simultaneously in structures and by formal diversity, and on the other, to reveal structural organization principles by elements dependency in order to potentiate the shape integration with the environment. To reach these goals, the research focuses on three distinct themes: 1) identification of design processes potentiated with biological qualities; 2) interpretation of biologic geometry approaches and 3) identification of design tools that allow the reproduction of natural patterns

Background

Conclusions