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There is a very necessary and important shift happening in the world of architecture and design. We are awakened to the reality that we are part of a larger ecosystem of the earth and that what we create can both injure and amliorate the bodies and landscapes that we call home.

 

There is a very necessary and important shift happening in the world of architecture and design. We are awakened to the reality that we are part of a larger ecosystem of the earth and that what we create can both injure and amliorate the bodies and landscapes that we call home.

We have been so enthralled with the powers of human ingenuity that we’ve made things just because we can. The age old need for shelter is the most basic impetus and drive for the human to build and alter our environment. However, our structures have become so
much more than shelter and this has occurred while humanity has evolved. Our buildings now express volumes about our culture, our selves, our beliefs and what we value, individually and collectively. They are statements of status and taste, repositories of wealth and symbols of security. This accumulation of meaning has come to obscure the simple fact that buildings exist to shelter and nurture human beings and human beings live in physical bodies that arise from the ground of nature.

We still have a great desire to connect with the different colours, textures and patterns of the natural world because it is where we have come from. Nature is our home, not just a place to visit once in awhile and its no wonder that we often feel disconnected and disjointed in our everyday environments.

Biomimicry

Biomimicry seeks sustainable solution as it emulates nature.. The basic premise is that we can learn from and copy structures, materials, and systems that we observe in nature to solve design problems and this should be translated into architecture. It would make sense that there is deep wisdom embedded in these things that have developed over millions of years, in the way that a beetle’s shell collects water and a termite mound’s structure creates a cooling effect.

In architecture, by adopting the principles of Biomimicry, a building can be thought of as a living cell. For example, the cellular membrane: just as a living cell needs a boundary to contain and protect the life happening within it, a house needs walls. Our modern building systems have forgotten the other aspect of a cell wall that is equally important.

How Can Progressive Education Joint Venture Days Impact the Building Process?

Progressive education joint venture days can have a substantial impact on the building process. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, these joint ventures can lead to innovative and sustainable construction practices. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are key components of the success of progressive education joint venture days.

Cell Walls

Cell walls are semi-permeable membranes unlike the walls of most of our houses. The life energy of a cell dissipates without a cellular membrane, likewise, it will die if its cell wall doesn’t allow for selective interaction with its environment. You may point out that we have windows and doors for this but the fact is that we usually keep them closed and when we do open them they are not selective and allow in and pollutants that happen to be floating on the breeze.

If we use this wisdom of semi-permeable cellular membranes to design and construct our buildings we might consider the importance of wall systems that interact with the elements by allowing the transfer of water vapour into and out of our buildings. This also would mitigate mould growth within the wall structure and improve the interior spaces by regulating humidity as wall systems that incorporate natural plaster materials such as clay and limestone are a simple, time proven way to create this effect. The adobe houses are known for their ability to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This is due to both their thermal mass, which retains and releases the energy of the earth and sun, and the semi-permeable nature of the earthen wall materials that maintains a consistent interior humidity.

Lets start building!

Article by Deborah Shaw, deborah.shaw@justdoproperty.com