Metabolic Infrastructures: An Organic Analogy between Literal Imitation and Metaphor

Abstract

Throughout history, nature and organisms have served as analogies for both design and the contemplation of architecture and cities. In this paper, the concept of metabolism as an organic analogy in architecture and the built environment is discussed by juxtaposing the two approaches. Literal imitation seen in interdisciplinary studies of urban metabolism offers a new applicative perspective for sustainable cities. On the other hand, the historical reference of Japanese Metabolism, from the 1960s, offers a relevant metaphoric example with an added poetic humanist spirit. Regarded through an infrastructure prism, the organic analogy of metabolism is discussed by employing themes of the relationship between organisms and environment, the correlation between organs, the relationship between form and function, and the principle of vitality. Furthermore, the concept of metabolic infrastructure is presented as a way of bridging the literal and metaphorical approach and as a possible tool to mitigate the metabolic rift.