Archibiosis - The Co-constitutive relationship between Humans and Nature

‘Archibiosis’ explores the potential of plant root-based biomaterial for creating an eco-responsive architecture by using environmentally informed design methods, This Thesis rethinks the relationship between architecture and the natural environment, with architecture not only catering humans but other ecosystems, rewilding our cities. The aim of the project is to design a modular prototype, which will reintroduce natural habitats we have destroyed in our cities. This will act as homes to other living beings, increase biodiversity, increase the economic value of an area, improve air quality and human well- being, while using material that is sustainable, reducing the carbon footprint, creating an ecological system that humans will care for and benefit from. This prototype will be designed out as a pavilion, where it then acts as an urban intervention, replacing bus stops, building around our streetlamps, and even added to our facades, where the community comes together to take care, reactivating the commons. This project will focus on achieving a symbiotic and care-based relationship between humans and nature by creating a co-constitutive practice between the two, where they build together, and benefit each other. It also focuses on nurturing nature, oikonomy, and layering to increase biodiversity. Plant roots, being the brain of the plant are incredibly intelligent, and I started experimentation and research in ways it can be incorporated in Architecture. They tighten and stitch themselves around patterns, reads its surrounding environment, and behaves accordingly. They flourish in agar, used as a type of transparent soil that creates a protective dry membrane around the roots. They can be harvested and used as a sustainable insulation material and can also be looked at as a living material, where it continues to grow and photosynthesis as proved in experimentation shown in this thesis, increasing the green index of our cities. Using plants and plant roots attracts other species, and therefore aids in increasing biodiversity. When layering I take inspiration from the concept of the holobiont. The design will represent the growth of plant roots and nature. The geometry is based on natural patterns and growth of plants. Thus, enhancing the performance of architecture by mediating and creating a symbiosis between man-made and nature. This project acts as a starting point for further research and design with plant roots applied in architecture, while also providing spaces catering for other ecological habitats, rewilding our cities.

‘Archibiosis’项目探索了基于植物根系的生物材料在采用环境导向设计方法打造生态响应型建筑方面的潜力。本论文重新思考了建筑与自然环境的关系，主张建筑不应仅服务于人类，更应兼顾其他生态系统，助力城市荒野化复兴。本项目的目标是打造一款模块化原型装置，以此重新引入我们在城市中破坏殆尽的自然栖息地。该原型将作为其他生物的栖息家园，提升生物多样性，提升区域经济价值，改善空气质量与人类福祉；同时采用可持续材料，降低碳足迹，构建一套人类能够爱护并从中获益的生态系统。该原型将被设计为亭阁装置，作为城市介入性设计的载体，可替代公交站台、依附于街灯搭建，甚至可加装于建筑外墙；届时社区居民可共同参与管护，激活公共空间的活力。本项目致力于通过构建人类与自然的共生共塑实践，达成二者间彼此依存、互利共赢的共生关怀关系。同时注重自然抚育、生态经营与空间分层，以提升生物多样性。植物根系堪称植物的‘大脑’，具备极高的智能水平，因此本研究展开了将其融入建筑设计的相关实验与探索。根系会环绕特定结构收紧、交织固定，感知周边环境并据此调整生长状态。根系可在琼脂（agar）培养基中茁壮生长——琼脂作为一种透明土壤介质，可在根系表面形成保护性的干燥膜层。收获后的根系可作为可持续隔热材料使用，同时也可被视为活体材料：正如本论文中实验所证实的那样，它可持续生长并进行光合作用，从而提升城市的绿化指标。利用植物与植物根系可吸引其他物种，进而助力提升生物多样性。在进行空间分层设计时，本研究借鉴了‘全息共生体（holobiont）’的概念。该设计将呈现植物根系与自然的生长过程，其几何形态源于植物的自然生长模式与形态规律，借此通过协调人工造物与自然间的关系，构建共生模式，提升建筑的生态性能。本项目为植物根系在建筑领域的后续研究与设计提供了起点，同时也为其他生态栖息地提供了承载空间，助力城市荒野化复兴。