Sustainable, biomorphic buildings; Visions of Our future

5 biomorphic architectural projects

1. Leaf House, Brazil, designed by Mareines and Patalano Arquitetura









2. Ecological Children's Activity and Education Center / 24H Architects, Thailand








3. Centre Pompidou-Metz in France by Shigeru Ban Architects, Japan








Community Center in Kunming Eco-Town (China) by Shigeru Ban, with landscaping by SWA


4. The National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, China, by French architect Paul Andreu









5. Solar Forest - Electric Car Charging System for Parking Lots Solar Forest by Neville Mars

Utopic biomorphia a flowing, permaculture joy

Valencia Museum, by architect Santiago Calatrava




Designing green is not just about saving energy and reducing carbon footprints, it involves inspiring natural designs, comfortable, functional workspaces, healthy communities, and ultimately, creating a synthesis of beauty in both form and function, erecting buildings that live and breathe as contributors to society.


Earth's largest solar-powered building, in Dezhou, Shangdong, China


It is true that some architects feel constrained by LEED and other green building codes, yet I encourage forward thinkers to utilize government and association guidelines as absolute minimums. Use geothermal systems, strategic windows placement (smaller, eye-level on north side, medium size on east and west, with largest windows on south side), appropriate flora (deciduous on south side, coniferous on north side) etc and then you're building from the ground up, with solid foundations.

The point being, be conscious, but stay creative!



Here are glimpses, beginning with a sculpture (part of 8-part series by Irish artist Eilis O'Connell) from an exhibition entitled Biomorphia:





Jet House by Jerome Olivet



Centre Pompidou-Metz, by Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines



Biomorphic skyscraper and greening of Toronto waterfront, by Butterworth / Zeng


ACROS Fukuoka, green building project in Japan, above and below




World Trade Center Transportation Hub, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava


Ecological Children Activity and Education Center / 24H - Thailand

Biomorphic buildings embrace our future

David Butterworth, Associate Partner, Kirkor Architects


According to Dictionary.com:

Biomorph (noun):

a painted, drawn, or sculptured free form or design suggestive in shape of a living organism, esp. an ameba or protozoan: The paintings of Joan Miró are often notable for their playful, bright-colored biomorphs.

Related forms:

bi·o·mor·phic, adjective
bi·o·mor·phism, noun

Origin:

1890–95; bio- + -morph



The Senior Conceptual Designer at Kirkor Architects, David Butterworth, has created (together with Samuel Zeng of DO HERE Architectural Renderings) a vision of biomorphic buildings on the Toronto waterfront for the 2009 Portlands Competition (descriptive text by David):




We only see fragments of the past and brave gestures of the future in the densification of urban cores. Each gesticulation becomes an expression – a murmur on the reality of what could be achieved.





True freedom of expression allows complete indulgence concerning the interplay of form and structure. Allowing buildings to set their footprint in avenues of un-built mass provides for urban renewal in areas of cities previously left as urban wasteland from decaying manufacturing.





The iconic landmark transforms itself over time and becomes an emblem of a generation. The sense of ownership of this emblem comes not only from its footprint in the city but the iconic nature of its ability to be recognized.





David promises more gorgeous, flowing buildings in 2011, so stay tuned!!!