Diba Ghazia
BioHarmony
Technology, Nature, Collaboration, Complex Geometries, Genetic Modification
This project reimagines the role of an architect to shift from that of a sole designer to a collaborator with elements of nature, technology, and architecture.
In the realm of contemporary architecture, there exists a notable and growing fascination with complex and intricate geometries. This newfound enthusiasm which is the trend these days is largely due to the remarkable capabilities offered by advanced software and especially artificial intelligence (AI) systems that are currently used. To bring these intricate geometries to life, educational institutions, architectural firms, and researchers increasingly turned to digital fabrication methods, such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and modular robotics.
In the context of this thesis, my proposal to embrace a collaborative approach with nature to produce architecture rather than relying on modular robots. In response to the current ecological situation, including climate change and environmental pollution, the role of architecture is being reevaluated and reimagined. This involves embracing a more proactive and sustainable approach that aligns with nature and incorporates advanced technologies. In this thesis the main idea is that architects are no longer viewed as sole designers, but as collaborators with elements of nature and technology. By integrating these aspects into the design process, architecture can become more responsive to environmental challenges and contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious built environment.
With this approach, I seek inspiration from nature's architects, including termites, spiders, and bees, to envision novel avenues for collaboration. Specifically, in this project, genetically modified bees will collaborate with architects to design buildings in 2070. Bees are known for their ability to engineer the hive, but What if they could create larger hive-comb cells? Through genetic engineering, we can resize the bees and explore this possibility. Genetic modification techniques have been evolving across plants, animals, and insects for decades, enabling alterations in size, shape, pattern, blossom time, and even fruits. From resizing salmon for food production to modifying ant size, scientific advancements demonstrate the potential for a future lab/factory to generate big genetically modified bees. While this idea has ethical implications, this system can construct buildings accommodating diverse inhabitants, including humans, birds, fungi, plants, and more.
The envisioned system involves architects designing a scaffolding structure based on the building program and requirements. GM bees are then introduced into the environment, where they will freely grow hive cells within the voids and spaces of the scaffolding. The bees will safely return to the factory once the cells have almost covered the entire structure. The scaffolding can then be removed, allowing architects to finalize the interior spaces and complete the design process.
In conclusion, the future of architecture is an exciting evolution, one where the boundaries between nature, advanced technology, and design become more & more blurred. This thesis underscores the immense potential of collaboration between architects, genetically modified bees, and advanced technologies. The traditional notion of the architect as a singular authority over design is giving way to a collaborative approach, where designers co-create with both biotic and technological agents. By reimagining our design processes, we can pioneer architectural sustainable solutions that are environmentally conscious and harmonious with the natural world.
Hive Cells Growing on Skyscrapers
Building B
Close-up of Buildings C and A facades