agorà solari MIL | Milano - Italy
a biomimetic approach to urban regeneration
BArch 2009-2011 | Biomimetics
a biomimetic approach to urban regeneration
BArch 2009-2011 | Biomimetics
Agora Solari MIL forms the second part of the investigation for the potential uses of biomimicry in urban regeneration. Situated in the city of Milano – Italy, the developmental process of the project followed the group of rules set during the thesis project. The research progressed from the macro analysis of Milano - its zoning, workforce concentration, green areas, culture – to a meso scale analysis of the southern part of the city and then the micro scale of the site. Incredibly interesting was the concentration of agriculture in the SouthAgricultural Park, one of the biggest agricultural parks, and its relatively un-existent relationship with its own host city. Using a biomimetic approach,there was an urge to create a bond and a mutualistic synergy where the city of design and fashion could benefit from a large agricultural park, and vice-versa.
Milano - Macro - Analysis
Milano - South Agricultural Park
Milano - Meso - Site selection
It was particularly important during this investigation/experiment to identify the best possible site to test the theory. Characteristics included its central location, its importance in the past, its negligence in the present and its unforeseeable future; a dead spot in the city centre. Setting out a grid, and walking around the entire area led to the choice of a site southern of the city centre, adjacent to main motorways and within walking distance from the main water canal.
It was particularly important during this investigation/experiment to identify the best possible site to test the theory. Characteristics included its central location, its importance in the past, its negligence in the present and its unforeseeable future; a dead spot in the city centre. Setting out a grid, and walking around the entire area led to the choice of a site southern of the city centre, adjacent to main motorways and within walking distance from the main water canal.
Milano - Micro - Solar Environment
Biomimetic approach
The re-development of the area took the form of re-developing a diseased part of a dense, established, urban forest. Researching the process of floral growth in unfavorable environments presented the outcome of a soil micro-organism specifically adapted for this function. Needless to say the life characteristics were isolated, researched and architectonically translated before undertaking a physical experiment at different environmental conditions to overlook the growth patterns.
The re-development of the area took the form of re-developing a diseased part of a dense, established, urban forest. Researching the process of floral growth in unfavorable environments presented the outcome of a soil micro-organism specifically adapted for this function. Needless to say the life characteristics were isolated, researched and architectonically translated before undertaking a physical experiment at different environmental conditions to overlook the growth patterns.
Biomimetic approach on site
Programe development
Form development
As with any photosynthetic organism, light affected the growth rate and form of the parasitic organism under investigation. Not only affected the growth of the specific organism, but the growth of the specific organism affects the other organisms in the same habitat. In an architectural sense, existing architecture and environmental conditions affect the growth of new architecture, and new architecture affects the growth of future architecture within the same area. Therefore light availability and function of each space were important in the process of developing form. Following vernacular Italian ways of designing, the form of each building was extruded from the exact boundaries to the maximum height of the neighboring structures. Then, light rays carved this monolithic form in order to maximise light intake at each space, but at the same time maximise light availability for the adjacent buildings. Sequentially, balconies were created, courtyards and light-wells, effectively creating architecture specific for the exact context and environment.
As with any photosynthetic organism, light affected the growth rate and form of the parasitic organism under investigation. Not only affected the growth of the specific organism, but the growth of the specific organism affects the other organisms in the same habitat. In an architectural sense, existing architecture and environmental conditions affect the growth of new architecture, and new architecture affects the growth of future architecture within the same area. Therefore light availability and function of each space were important in the process of developing form. Following vernacular Italian ways of designing, the form of each building was extruded from the exact boundaries to the maximum height of the neighboring structures. Then, light rays carved this monolithic form in order to maximise light intake at each space, but at the same time maximise light availability for the adjacent buildings. Sequentially, balconies were created, courtyards and light-wells, effectively creating architecture specific for the exact context and environment.
