Fractal Geometry
Fractal geometry formation, which is focused on this study by Asli Agirbas, is a system seen in nature. A model based on fractal growth principle was proposed for tile design.
Ladybird Pavilion
This three-meter-tall pavilion is composed of two adaptive folding elements, which have been programmed to open and close like the wings of a ladybird. collaboratively conceived and fabricated by three institutes at the university of stuttgart.
Biomimicry of Feathers
This thesis by Sarah Sunyoung Park, will examine the design of an airport building through biomimicry. Because of a correlation between flights, airplanes, airports, and feathers, she has selected a feather for her biological inspiration.
Sedona Table
A polished aluminium dining table inspired by the infamous red rocks of Sedona; the form references the peaks and plateaus of Sedona’s unique sandstone formations. This design by Janne Kyttanen has a strong Silhouette and organic triangular detailing.
Biomimetic Geometry
This paper by Aleksandar Čučaković, Biljana Jović and Mirjana Komnenov provides an initial exploration of natural forms streamed into geometric patterns, providing a basis for further research that may find use in generative architectural design.
Seed and Signal
Seed and Signal by Hypersonic is a kinetic sculpture that explores the dynamics of group behavior. In nature, individuals that crowd together often exhibit dynamics whereby tiny changes in behavior can alter the balance of the group between order and chaos.
Water Reaction
Water Reaction, a project by Royal College of Art student Chao Chen, is an to create a material that reacts to external conditions with no human input required. Unlike other more high-tech approaches to this idea, Chen was inspired by a pinecone.
VULCAN Pavilion
Guinness World Records has awarded the title of “largest 3D printed structure” to VULCAN, a temporary pavilion designed by the Beijing-based Laboratory for Creative Design (LCD). Made up of 1023 printed segments, structure was 9.08 meters long.
PolyBrick 2.0
In this paper by integrating specialized expertise across disciplines of architecture, engineering, and material science, authors propose an algorithmic toolset to generate PolyBrick geometries that can be applied to various architectural typologies.
Designing with Gradients
This paper presents a novel generative model that can create functional and expressive geometries by evolving volumetric gradient patterns. Using three case studies, authors demonstrate the key advantages of their approach.
Biomimetic Shells
This paper by Achim Menges, Jan Knippers et. al. pursues the development and construction of a robotically fabricated, lightweight timber plate system through a biologically informed, integrative computational design method.
Aguahoja
Neri Oxman and MIT have developed programmable water-based biocomposites for digital design and fabrication. Named Aguahoja, the project has exhibited both a pavilion and a series of artifacts constructed from molecular components.
Responsive Textiles
This paper by Jane Scott describes the framework behind the development of a series of knitted prototypes inspired by the biomimetic model of the hygromorph. Three moisture responsive pieces are described which use properties of wood veneer.
Swarm Light
The ‘Swarm Light’ by rAndom International is an experimental light installation with a real ‚collective consciousness’ that subtly reacts to the viewer’s audible presence.
Crysalis III
Crysalis (III) is a sculptural piece that explores cellular morphologies using parametric tools and composite materials. Designed and built by MATSYS, the sculpture takes direct inspiration from the organization of barnacle-like cells.
Light Pollination Installation
Commissioned by iGuzzini, Light Pollination consists of 20,000 LED lights embedded on the ends of fibre-optic cables. These gently pulse with light to mimic the phenomenon of bioluminescence in nature.
Embroidered Artwork
The embroidered artwork of Meredith Woolnough explores the beauty and fragility of nature. She uses a synthetic embroidery thread and a water-soluble fabric to create her work. The water-soluble fabric is what makes her work possible.
Porifera Jewelry
Porifera is a 3D-printed brass jewelry collection inspired by the forms of deep-sea dwelling glass sponges. These ancient sponges form reefs of glass with complex, porous architectures that are home to many species.
Parametric Barnacle Lamp
In this project by Kai Zhang, designer used bristol paper as construction material. After playing around with paper and exploring possible forms he used grasshopper to parametrically generate the lamp’s form.
RADIOLARIA
The Radiolaria Bernotat Co are a family of eleven lamps made of 3D-knitted textile with glow-in-the-dark seams, inspired by the phenomenon of bioluminescence and the microscopic organisms discovered by German scientist Ernst Haeckel.
Geometrical Plants
Civilization has struggled to understand this perfect geometry for thousands of years. In the 4th century, Plato believed that symmetry in nature was proof of universal forms; in 1952, the famous code-breaker Alan Turing wrote a book trying to explain how such patterns in nature could be formed.
Reaction Diffusion Pattern
In Kouhei Nakama’s production, Diffusion, programming is used to generate patterns on a human form. The central question is “Why do humans not have patterned skin like animals?”. To explore this concept, Nakama implements reaction-diffusion algorithms to generate patterns that resemble those found in plants and animals.
Bix Display Skin
Affectionately named The Friendly Alien, by its designers Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, the Knusthaus Graz was built for the European Cultural Capital 2003 activities in Graz, Austria.
UAE Pavilion
Following a seven month design competition with submissions from the world’s leading architecture firms, the National Media Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) selected Santiago Calatrava’s proposal for the UAE Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020.
Silk Pavilion
Designed by the Mediated Matter research group at the MIT Media Lab in collaboration with Prof. Fiorenzo Omenetto (TUFTS University) and Dr. James Weaver (WYSS Institute, Harvard University), The Silk Pavilion explores the relationship between digital and biological fabrication on product and architectural scales.
Sea-Urchin Shell Pavilion
The research team at the Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) have taken morphological inspiration from the structure of the sea urchin and the sand dollar, both sea-bed invertebrates, to create what almost bears semblance to a floating bee hive, in a team combining architects, engineers, biologists, and palaeontologists.
Scutoid
A completely new geometric shape has been discovered by a group of researchers looking into the dynamics of cells that contribute toward the embryonic development and lead to the formation of human organs. Lehigh University professor, Javier Buceta, helped discover this geometric shape— the scutoid.
Biologic
A team of MIT researchers has designed a breathable workout suit with ventilating flaps that open and close in response to an athlete’s body heat and sweat. These flaps, which range from thumbnail- to finger-sized, are lined with live microbial cells that shrink and expand in response to changes in humidity.
Autonomous Earthworm Robot
Researchers at MIT, Harvard University and Seoul National University have engineered a soft autonomous robot that moves via peristalsis, crawling across surfaces by contracting segments of its body, much like an earthworm. The robot, made almost entirely of soft materials, is remarkably resilient.
Eiffel Inspired by Femur
Find out how human bones inspired the Eiffel Tower through the design principle of structural hierarchy.