Bio-Tool #1: Bacteria

bacteria and time are the base ingredients for this Architectural approach to a big problem: <<serious natural hazards>>.

one of the aspects i find most interesting about this proposal is the way Magnus Larsson uses the source of the problem – the sand – as its solution: the problem of the villages surrounding deserts relies on the sand’s movement, so he found a natural way to bind it together (back into a rock) and create Architectural spaces out of it.

congratulations, Magnus!

<<Architecture student Magnus Larsson wants to turn some of the most deserted and harsh landscapes on the planet into habitable structures. How? By turning loose sand dunes into solid architecture using bacteria. A team at UC Davis has been looking at the microorganism bacillus pasteurii to solidify the ground in earthquake-prone areas. As Larsson puts it, “All I did was to deliberately misapply their technology … and to pump up the scale, and turn it into a 6,000-km-long wall that’s made of sand and protects against sand.”>>

Concrete Geometries

“The ‘Concrete Geometries’ Research Cluster at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London is seeking submissions of work from the fields of art, architecture, sciences and humanities that explore the relationship between spatial form and social or aesthetic processes.”

this is an interesting opportunity for the development of studies in algorithmic architecture. go for it!

RepRap

finally, someone made it!

in the first video, you’ll find the philosophy that backs this open source project as well as the technology: bringing 3D printing to the people – or to communities. so now anyone can design AND produce their own things, even though in a small size and scale (at least for the moment) – which is a major breakthrough that can/will lead to design and production (r)evolution, making it more democratic.

but then again, this is the beginning and as more people collaborate on the project and improve the technology, better solutions will become available – free for anyone!

take a look and think about it

Darwin Version:

Mendel Version:

check also Makerbot.com – another option with great acceptance – and thingiverse.com!

opportunity

CCB (centro cultural de belém, lisbon) launched a project competition for their summer outdoors event, taking place between july and august.

anyone can send them a project proposal of any kind and any theme. it is a good opportunity to show your ideas, don’t waste it!