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」以顺应环境的设计方法为路径，探索基于植物根系的生物材料在打造生态响应式建筑中的应用潜力。本论文重新思考建筑与自然环境的关系，主张建筑不应仅服务于人类，更需兼顾其他生态系统，助力城市的野化复兴。本项目的目标是设计一款模块化原型装置，以此重新引入人类在城市中破坏的自然栖息地。该装置可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，构建可供人类呵护并获益的生态系统。该原型将被设计为一座亭阁，作为城市介入性设计的载体，可替代公交站点、依附于街灯搭建，甚至可加装于建筑外墙，供社区成员共同管护，重新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互构实践，达成二者共生共护的关系，实现彼此共建、互惠共赢。同时，本项目聚焦于呵护自然、居所营建与层级构建，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，我由此展开了关于其如何融入建筑领域的实验与研究。它们会围绕特定结构收紧、缠绕，感知周边环境并做出适应性响应。在琼脂——一种可在根系周围形成保护性干燥膜的透明培养基质——中，根系可旺盛生长。根系可被采收用作可持续隔热材料，亦可作为活体材料——正如本论文中实验所证实的那样——持续生长并进行光合作用，提升城市的绿化指数。利用植物与植物根系可吸引其他物种，从而助力生物多样性提升。在层级构建的设计中，我从全息共生体（holobiont）的概念中汲取灵感。 本设计将具象化植物根系与自然的生长过程，其几何形态基于植物的自然生长模式与形态。由此，通过搭建人工与自然之间的共生媒介，强化建筑的生态性能。本项目可为植物根系在建筑领域的后续研究与设计应用奠定起点，同时为其他生态栖息地提供适配空间，助力城市实现野化复兴。