Essay

As the relation between biomimicry, nanotechnology and new computing software evolves, a key design strategy surfaces — and a key aspect to that design strategy is BioDigital Architecture. In this branch of study and research, designers use different computer processes (algorithmic, for example) to grow architectural living systems. And these “living systems” are derived from, what Dennis Dollens describes as, metaphors of nature.

Designers can learn to understand nature in new terms, asking a different line of questions than usual. To design BioDigital Architecture, one must tap into the qualities of nature that motivate its cycles and response systems. And as you will see in the video below, Dennis Dollens lectures on exactly what that can mean for buildings.

I agree with Dollens that we can design and build better buildings by moving beyond our present-day “piece-meal” approach where separate components come together to yield a “sustainable” building. First, the window systems must coordinate with the roof system, then the roof and window systems must coordinate with the lighting systems. In the end, we wind up with separate system components which are later integrated into what we today call a “building system”.

BioDigital Architecture, on the other hand, will look toward nature for its principles. From those, designers can use computation (and other methods) to innovate systems that become much more than their parts. The totality of this livelier system might be marked by aspects of behavior, interaction and structure — where the layers that make up the system are more cyclical and responsive in nature.

It is my thinking that BioDigital Architecture will optimize the architect’s potential, leveraging our methods, talents and ideas to yield more fluid and inherently dynamic built forms. The following is Dennis Dollens’ short lecture. Please note that below the video is a link so you can take a peak at his publication which describes all of this, and more:

Image Credit: © Photomish Dan | Flickr