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Research Proposal
2022 | Summer Research | Bio-Interactive Architecture
The research proposal developed in summer 2022. With this paper, we look at biological systems and interactions among various species of an ecosystem that makes up for a well balanced environment that is regenerative and able to sustain life. We question how Architecture, when viewed as an organism integrates itself with biological processes to ensure a sustained life. For this specific exercise, Lichens were chosen for their symbiotic interactions at multiple levels, drawing interpretations to inform Architectural Vocabulary of Symbiosis.
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Plotting symbiotic Relations
Entanglement
The drawing is a demonstration of entanglements found in lichen ecology. Lichens throughout their Life-cycle maintain a symbiotic relationship with their ecosystem, and symbiotic interactions area long term interaction that play a critical role in evolution. The drawing identifies 5 parameters that make lichens symbiotic and resilient. Their various interactions through initiation, metabolic, reproductive and end of life when put on the interactions map, help visualize their degree of symbiosis in their ecosystem.
Plotting symbiotic Relations
The drawing demonstrates Bio-interaction of a building proposal throughout its various life-cycle phases. For simplification of the process, life-cycle phases were segregated into three phases: Construction, Operations and End of Life. The x- axis is representative of individual processes in a particular phase. This is charted against the elements from natural ecosystem, plotted on Y-axis. The resultant is triangulated against the Symbiotic interaction taking place between the two.
Water Capture
In regular conditions they capture moisture from air and store it in their thallus Their morphological traits allow capturing of moisture from air and soil. Their morphology allows them to capture it through Humid air, dew and rainfall.
Soil Moisture Retention Bolstering Biodiversity In uencing Microclimate Survival in the Extreme Climatic Conditions
As Lichens are poikilohydric, absence of water regulation mechanism lets water slip to soil or the substrate they latch onto. This bene ts the soil microbial biome and aids in seed germination. This can also be seen as encouraging biodiversity
Northern Flyins Squirrel and Hummingbirds are known to use Lichens to build nests. Lichens Fix Carbon and Nitrogen in soil which is essential to other vegetative organisms. In drought conditions bigger mammals and carnivores consume it as a source of Carbohydrates.
Lichens when in a mat arrangement, tend to bu er the underlying soil temperature and keep it safe for habitation. Lichen morphology and their arrangement pattern are important factors to the degree of micro-climate in uence they have.
Lichens can survive extreme climatic conditions owing to their Metabolic and morphological adaptation They can go metabolically dormant and lose coloration in drought conditions. Due to their resilience, Space-X is considering lichens as a viable option to vegetate MARS.
