Mutualism: Ecosystem Dynamics and Architectural Theory

Part One J.U. Biodiversity Research and Discovery Center:

Part One:Mutualism: Ecosystem Dynamics and Architectural Theory

Part Two:Fox River Vally Biodiversity Research and Discovery Center

Loren Johnson, M.Arch.Judson University

loren johnson_thesis presentation_08.02.14

SEEKING THE QUESTION THEORY DEVELOPMENT DESIGN TESTING PRACTICE

FGM ARCHITECTS

1 YEAR 9 MONTHS 9 MONTHS 1 YEAR

ARCC King Medal for ResearchDean’s Award for Academic ExcellenceAIA Henry Adams Certificate


GRADUATE THESIS: PROCESS


how would a post-carbon architecture look/function?


what does post-carbon architecture look like?how should architecture keep from polluting?how can we fix the problems we’ve created?

how can architecture celebrate life?how can architecture sustain biodiversity?

how can architecture keep occupants healthy?how can architecture relate more to its place?

what is the nature of relationship between architecture and life?










“all creativity involves the making of fictions, “hybrid and ambiguous thought structures used to attain a purpose in-

directly”

_Hans Vailhinger “The Philosophy of As-If”hand-picked materials

primarily outdoor habitation

hunter-gatherer society


hand-picked materials

primarily outdoor habitation

hunter-gatherer society

<1492-1789 AD 1800-2013 AD

“externalized” interaction with naturepersonal interaction with nature

manufactured materials

primarily indoor habitation

“profession-based” society

Ecology Humanity HumanityEcology Externality


Species X

Species X

Species Y

Species Y

Interaction Type

Interaction Type

*In seeking to understand the interac-tion between our architecture and

ecology, we can place architecture in surrogacy of the human species

and translate the traditional interac-tion types.

SPECIES INTERACTION THEORY

ARCHITECTURAL SURROGATE THEORY*


ORGANIZATION SCALES

beta

alpha

Bullit Center, SeattleMiller Hull Architects

Great Blue Heron

materialcomponent

assembly

building

organismspeciespopulation

community

gam-

A A

B B

Y Ystreetneighborhood

city/town

ecosystembiomebiosphere


Species X Species Y Species Y

Interaction Type

Interaction Type

Traditional Theory

cattle

receives:neutral

receives:neutral

cattle egret

receives:food source

receives:material

source

ozark forest building

X Y0 +

Commensalismnet positive

thorncrown chapele. fay jones

System/Species X

Arch. Surrogate Theory


Traditional Theory

anemone clownfish vegetation building

Arch. Surrogate Theory

sieeb, mario cucinella

architects

Species X Species Y

Interaction Type

X Y+ +

Mutualismgross positive

System/Species X Species Y

Interaction Type

receives:securityparasite removal

receives:habitat

receives:security

food source

receives:clean air


Mutualism - Metabiosis Precedents

Bird CityEveline Visser

Brick BiotopeFabrikaat

Hotel for BeesAtelierD

Dr. Carol Williams

B B BB B BA A AA A A


FINAL DESIGN PROJECT: PRODUCT

loren johnson_thesis presentation_08.02.14Y



loren johnson_thesis presentation_08.02.14B

B B


set

set rise

Optimal Orientation Analysis Summer Prevailing Winds Wind Canyon Effect

dec 21

june 21

set


Anthropologic

OrganizedRationalDisjointedHuman-dominated

Ecologic

DisorganizedIrrational

CohesiveNature-

dominated

Organizational Site Transect

loren johnson_thesis presentation_08.02.14Screw Piles

Terrestrial Zone

Flux Zone

Aquatic Prey Zone

Water Level

Bridge Surface

Creek Bed

_Of great importance in designing for native eco-systems is the idea of mim-icking or initializing positive responses to stimuli. One of the techniques used in this project is the idea of a land bridge that initializes an aquatic ecosystem’s response to shelter. For in-stance, when trees fall into these environments, there is an immediate boost of bio-diversity and biomass in the form of predator/prey rela-tionships, shelter for rearing young, and a resting place.

Biofacilitation Bridge

Observation:

Fallen trees and debris create aquatic breeding grounds in streams, rivers, and lakes.

Concept:

Could a bridge replicate this process?

B BAA


Site Modelling


How Do We Learn From, In, About... Nature?

Observation?

Observation- Ordered Seating- Scientific Equipment- Compromised by lack of context.

Immersion- Abscence of architec-ture- Portable instruments- Compromised by lack of structure and control

Graduated Area- Diverse opportunity- Mixed seating options- Proximity to structure, but without its limitationsImmersion?

Nature-Learning Environments


Existing Habitat and Building Configuration

East-West Orientation_ Optimal solar orientation, maximizes north and south exposure

Two-story Volume_Due to programmatic require-ments and site constraints. Pushes the constraints of net-zero energy.

Break and Bend_Provides for wildlife passage through center of building mass, allows for human obser-vation of wildlife traffic as well as immersion of the human be-ing in a natural setting.

Thermal Corridor_Allows for maximum winter solar gain into a controlled space.

Land Bridge Addition

New Project Placement

Form Development


Form Development


First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

loren johnson_thesis presentation_08.02.14First Floor Plan




loren johnson_thesis presentation_08.02.14A B





Summer Solstice_72o

Winter Solstice_27o

January/December 21st, Noon

February/November 21st, Noon

March/October 21st, Noon

April/September 21st, Noon

May/August 21st, Noon

June/July 21st, Noon

Labs_1st Floor Building 2 Thermal Corridor_2nd FloorOffices_2nd Floor

Wall SectionSolar Gain Diagrams

A


Biodiversity Case Study_La Rue Pine Hills Ecological Area

Habitat Creation A

B





thank you

Documents

Mutualism: Ecosystem Dynamics and Architectural Theory