Drew Powers - Assignment 3B

Biomimicry – Turning to nature and its processes to solve issues in architecture

Question: How can nature be modeled in the real world to solve many of our future problems in architecture?

David-Artman, Anat. 2008. Mathematics as the vital force of architecture. Nexus Network Journal 10 (2) (Autumn): 323-30.

Kaplinsky, Joe. 2006. Biomimicry versus humanism. Architectural Design 76 (1): 66-71.

Pawlyn, Michael. 2010. Michael pawlyn: Using nature's genius in architecture, ed. Michael Pawlyn. London, England: TED, http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/michael_pawlyn_using_nature_s_genius_in_architecture.html (accessed September 6, 2011).

Shearcroft, Geoff. 2009. Architecture for a changing planet: With its radical nature exhibition, the barbican art gallery in london considers 40 years of ecological art and architecture. Architects' Journal 230 (4) (07): 41-2.

Weber, William. 2007. Innovative by nature. Architecture Minnesota 33 (1) (2007): 46.

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Social/Cultural Stratification

Question: How does infrastructure that is essential to society impact and divide socioeconomic classes?

Bernard, Michael M. 1970. Urban transportation systems: Problems, policies and planning. Urban Law Annual: 1-84.

Braithwaite, Lloyd. 1960. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND CULTURAL PLURALISM. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 83 (5): 816-36.

Giovannini, Joseph. 2009. Highway high: A progressive public school repairs an architecturally fragmented neighborhood. I.D 56 (2) (2009): 79-80.

Mann, Roy B. 1991. Boston's southwest corridor: From urban battleground to paths of peace. Places 7 (3) (Spring): 46-61.

Shannon, Megan. 2008. LANDSCAPES OF MODERNITY: CLASS, POWER & THE PRODUCTION OF NATURAL SPACE.

Wong, Aline K. 1981. Planned development, social stratification, and the sexual division of labor in singapore. Signs 7 (2, Development and the Sexual Division of Labor) (Winter): pp. 434-452, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3173886.

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Reflection:

After completing further research and exploration over the last week I feel as though I have a two distinct trains of thought that could lead to a potential thesis exploration. I have refined my ideas of a synthesis of nature and architecture into an idea of biomimicry. This idea is intriguing because there are many unique and innovative ways in which nature solves many problems such as waste reduction and cyclical processes. I found many sources on the concept of biomimicry in architecture and feel as though it could be a fruitful exploration. My second idea for further exploration is how built infrastructure can effect cultural/social stratification within communities. I feel as though my strategy would be to find further research on the actual impacts of these types of infrastructure, and to explore ways to remedy the issues that are caused. My goal would be to help reunite communities create awareness “of the other side.”