Bio-inspired Design / Parametric Design / Architecture

Izmir Institute of Technology - Bio-inspired Design

Location: Campus of IZTECH, Izmir, TURKEY / 38.318446, 26.638349
Built Area: 100 m2
Volume: 1000 m3
Building Type: Shading Structure

Personal Contribution

Architectural Design, Visualization, Modelling, Preliminary Sketches

Partner(s)

Bahadir Altin (Architecture) - Architectural Design, Modelling, Visualization, Preliminary Sketches
Hatice Damla Dag (Molecular Biology & Genetics) - Research, Documentation, Inspiration of the Source

Instructors

Virgina Thompson Couch (Architecture) virginiacouch@iyte.edu.tr
Anne Frary (Molecular Biology & Genetics) annefrary@iyte.edu.tr

Trabeculae³ | Human Bone inspired

Shade Structure

Trabeculae³ is a self-standing shading structure inspired by the human sponge bone, trabecuale; providing efficiency in material use. permeability, durability against weather conditions.

Project Location & Main Goals to Achieve

The campus of the Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), located at the countryside of Izmir, Turkey, is a campus that is vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions due to its elevated and uninterrupted location. These conditions cause many inconviniences for students, teachers and staff especially during long walks between the distant buildings. In order to provide protection from the intense sun and the strong wind, IZTECH campus needs a shade structure that is resistant to its harsh weather conditions.

Description of the Source Organism

In order to achieve a durable, flexible and efficient design, human bone was selected as the source organism. Providing strength and elasticity, bones are organs that structurally support the body by containing hard living tissue. Considering it as a matrix of calcium salts deposited around protein fibers, bones maintain their rigidity with the minerals and flex with collagen fibers they consists.

Understanding of the Form

With the analysis of the source, the layers of the bone structure; compact bone and sponge bone layers were examined. Combination of the rigidity of the compact bone with the elasticity of the sponge bone provides resistance to the both loads of compression and tension. Additionally analysis of the collagen fibers within bone matrix that run in separate directions showed the resistance against torsional stress. In conclusion, inspiration of the bone turned into a hypothesis that mimicks its flexibility, strength and airy structure in the design.

The Final Form & Spatial Experience

Consisting of hard shell (inspired by compacted bone) and inner mesh structure (inspired by sponge bone), the final form is achieved. Materials are picked as wood for the outer layers and kevlar for the inner mesh structure to imitate the durability and fibrious structure of the source object.
Creating an inviting scenery on every direction, Trabeculae'3 aims to invite the visitors to socialize while being protected in the common space that it provides.
Consisting of hard shell outer layers of wood and airy inner layer out of a web of kevlar ropes, thte structure provides diffused daylight at the interior and airy atmosphere due to its permeability.

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