Thomas Speck: Biomimetic architecture

26.08.2016

1

0 min 25 min 30 min

© P

lant B

iom

ech

. G

roup F

reib

urg

, IT

KE

Stu

ttgart

, IT

V D

enkendo

rf, E

MP

A D

üben

dorf

Thomas Speck

Functional Morphology and Biomimetics,

Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg

Freiburg Materials Research Centre (FMF) and

Freiburg Centre for Interactive Materials & Bioinspired

Technologies (FIT)

Sustainability Center Freiburg

Networks of Competence Biomimetics,

BIOKON and BIOKON-International

Biomimetic

ArchitecturePlants as concept generators

for novel building construction

Biological Design and

Integrative Structures

Cooperative Research Center TRR 141

Living Plant Construction (Baubotanik)Constructional integration of living plants in architectur

Living Plant Pavilion

in the Botanic Garden of

the University of Freiburg

(Construction: Weidenprinz)

© I

GM

A U

niv

. S

tutt

ga

rt &

Pla

nt

Bio

me

ch

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg

Three-story

sycamore cube

at the Landes-

gartenschau

Nagold

(Construction:

Dr. Ferdinand

Ludwig)© F

erd

inan

d L

ud

wig

–L

ivin

g P

lant

Co

nstr

uction

s &

IG

MA

Un

iv.

Stu

ttg

art

Cooperationproject PBMG Freiburg with IGMA and ITKE Univ. Stuttgart

T. S

peck (

2009):

Baubota

nik

, B

ionik

, B

iote

chnolo

gie

. In

: D

e B

ruyn

, G

., L

udw

ig,

F. &

Schw

erd

tfeger,

H. (e

ds.)

, Lebende B

aute

n –

Tra

inie

rbare

Bauw

erk

e: 63–77, LIT

-Verlag, B

erlin

.

26.08.2016

2

© T

U D

arm

std

t &

Pla

nt

Bio

mechanic

s G

roup F

reib

urg

A direct copy of functionalities

typically does not work due to

physical limitations (Reynolds

numbers, material properties,

energy requirement…)

What is definitively not

Biomimetics?

Biological inspiration for

biomimetic airplanes?

Green Building - Building Green in Cities – Helsinki, 25‘-26’08‘2016

© T

U D

arm

std

t &

Pla

nt

Bio

mechanic

s G

roup F

reib

urg

What is definitively

Biomimetics?

Biological inspiration for

biomimetic airplanes!

Optimization of winglets in

airplane wings (Boing 747) by

applying Evolutionary Strategies

as optimization method

(quantitative analysis, abstraction,

transfer of functional principles…)Green Building - Building Green in Cities – Helsinki, 25‘-26’08‘2016

26.08.2016

3

• What is biomimetics and what not?

• Different fields in biomimetics and specific situation

in architecture

• Philosophy and mode of collaboration in CRC 141

• Energy absorption in porous materials and scaling

processes

• Adaptive stiffness in rod-like biological and technical

structures

• Kinematics of plant surfaces and application in

elastic architecture (Flectofin® and Flectofold)

• Branchings in plants and building constructions -

outer form and inner structure

• Sustainability assessment in biomimetic architecture

• Biomimetic visions - past, present & future

Biomimetic architecturePlants as concept generators for novel building construction

© Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg



in architecture



processes


structures







Architecture

& Design Lightweight

Constructions

& Materials

Surfaces

& Interfaces

Fuiddynamics

Swimming

& Flying

Biomechatronics

& Robotics

Communication

& Sensorics

Optimisation

Biomi-metics

© Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg & various sources

Different fields of Biomimetics:

a many-faceted success story

26.08.2016

4

Architecture& Design Lightweight

Constructions& Materials

Surfaces& Interfaces

FuiddynamicsSwimming

& Flying

Biomechatronics& Robotics

Communication& Sensorics

Optimisation

Biomi-metics

Different fields of Biomimetics:

Specific situation in architecture

© Schroedel Verlag & Plant

Biomechanics Group Freiburg

Specific situation in architecture:

Takes adavantage not only from

specific developments belonging to

architectural biomimetics.

Incorporation of results from different

other fields of biomimetics: Lightweight

constructions & materials, surfaces &

interfaces, optimisation, sensor- and

energy-biomimetics

Biomimetics in architecture: Buildings are typically one of a kind

Test of biomimetic developments and products on the prototype

level under permanent use of the inhabitants

J. K

nip

pe

rs &

T. S

peck (

201

2)

Bio

inspira

tion

and

Bio

mim

etics, 7

.

DO

I:1

0.1

08

8/1

74

8-3

18

2/7

/1/0

15

00

2

Architecture: increasingly important

and innovative field of biomimetics



in architecture



processes


structures









26.08.2016

5

20 PIs from engineering, architecture, biology,

physics, mathematics & material sciences

23 PhD-student, 8 Postdocs

Collaborative Research Center - Transregio 141

Biological Design and Integrative StructuresAnalysis, Simulation and Implementation in Architecture

A common research activity of three universities and

three research institutes with the central aim to

evaluate the potential of biomimetic architecture

22 PIs from engineering, architecture, biology,

physics, mathematics & materials sciences

36 PhD-students & 13 Postdocs

First funding period of 3.75 years

(2014‘10 – 2018‘06)

8 more years (until 2025) envisaged

Aim of the CRC - Transregio 141:

Innovative biomimetic buildings inspired by plants and animals

Ultra-lightweight support structure

My Zeil Frankfurt: Support structure

by Knippers Helbing Stuttgart

Bio-inspired Research Pavillons 2011, 2012 & 2013

ICD & ITKE Stuttgart, Uni. Tübingen & Freiburg

Biomimetic facade shading – Thematic Pavillon Expo 2012

Yeosu, South Korea

J. Knippers & T.

Speck (2012): Design

and construction

principles in Nature

and Architecture. –

Bioinspiration and

Biomimetics, 7.

DOI:10.1088/1748-

3182/7/1/015002



© Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg & ITKE Stuttgart

26.08.2016

6



© IT

KE

Stu

ttgart

, P

lant B

iom

ech

. G

roup F

reib

urg

& U

ni T

übin

gen

Consequent application of biomimetics in all 14 R&D projects of CRC 141

Quantitative analysis, understanding of principles, abstraction, transfer of

functional principles in biomimetic products and reverse biomimetics

Consequent interdisciplinary approach in all 14 R&D projects of CRC 141

In each project collaboration of engineers, architects and material

scientists with biologists, physicists and mathematicians



in architecture



processes


structures









26.08.2016

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Motivation: Development of buildings that can

withstand high energy input

Main challenge: Bio-inspired solutions for

natural and man-made disasters - e.g. earth-

quakes, rock falls, storms, accidents ...

Plants and animals as source of inspiration for energy dissipation in load bearing systems

Cooperation

partners:

Impact tests with

pomelo fruits

Force

sensor

Mirror

Highspeed

camera 1

Highspeed

camera 2

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

s G

roup

Fre

iburg

Deformation of

pomelo fruits

100.000 fps

10.000

fps

Impact-damping and puncture-protection:

inspiration by fruit walls and seed coats

Local impact

Global answer

M. Thielen, C. Schmitt, S. Eckert, T. Speck & R. Seidel (2013): Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 8: DOI:10.1088/1748-3182/8/2/025001

En

erg

y d

iss

ipa

tio

n [

%]

in f

ree

fa

ll e

xp

eri

me

ts f

rom

6m

he

igh

t

15m

26.08.2016

8

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg Fiber bundles and deformation

Sample height in percent of original height

Foamy pomelo

peel with

gradual pore

size consisting

of cellular struts

and reinforced

by a 3D-network

of fiber bundles

Structure and

ultrastructure of

pomelo peel

Graded foam embedded in 3D-fiber bundle

network in highly damping Pomelo peel

M. Thielen, T. Speck & R. Seidel (2015): Royal Society Open Science, 2: 140322. DOI.org/10.1098/rsos.140322.

Macadamia-seedcoat – a microlayered, very tough and hard micro-lami-

nate with multiple layers of sclerenchyma fibers and sclereid cells

Structure and ultrastructure of the

seedcoat of a Macadamia seed

Example 1: Multilayer-system in Macadamia

seeds: highly integrated protection hull

Schematic drawing Fracture surface

© T

U B

erlin

, P

BG

Fre

iburg

& R

WT

H A

ache

n

P. Schüler, T. Speck, A. Bührig-Polaczek & C. Fleck (2014): PLoS ONE 9(8): e102913. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0102913

26.08.2016

9

50 µm

Cocos nucifer endosperm – a very tough & hard hierarchicallay structured

tissue with a 3D-net of sclerenchyma fibers & multilayered sclereid cells

Sclereid cells

Example 2: Structure of Cocos nucifera

endocarp: highly integrated protection hull

S. Schmier et al. (2016), In: J. Knippers, T. Speck & K. Nickel (eds.), Biomimetic Research for Architecture

and Building Construction: Biological Design and Integrative Structures, Springer.

Structure and

ultrastructure

of the fruit

& endocarp

of Cocos

nucifera

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

s

Gro

up

Fre

iburg

Exocarp (leathery)

Mesocarp (fibrous)

Endocarp (tough, hard)

Thin testa (paper-like)

Endosperm (pulp) withembryo

50 µm

Vascular bundle



Structure and

ultrastructure

of the fruit

& endocarp

of Cocos

nucifera

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

s

Gro

up

Fre

iburg

Exocarp

Mesocarp

EndocarpThin testa

Endosperm with embryo

µ-CT-analysis of the

arrangement of the

vascular bundles in

the endocarp of

Cocos nucifera

Mechanical analyses

show that vascular

bundles act as crack

deviators & stoppers

26.08.2016

10



Specific fracture force in

various hard-shelled fruits

and seeds

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg

S. Schmier,C. Lauer, I. Schäfer,K. Klang,G. Bauer, M. Thielen, K. Termin, C. Berthold, S. Schmauder, T. Speck & K. Nickel (2016), In: J. Knippers,

T. Speck & K. Nickel (eds.), Biomimetic Research for Architecture and Building Construction: Biological Design and Integrative Structures, Springer.

© F

ou

nd

ry In

stitu

te R

WT

H A

ache

n, P

lant

Bio

me

ch

anic

s G

roup

Fre

iburg

&

Ma

teria

ls E

ng

inee

ring

TU

Be

rlin

and

IL

EK

Stu

ttg

art

Impact-damping and puncture-protection:inspired by seeds, fruits & bark: hierarchical structure

Cooperationproject PBMG Freiburg, RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin in DFG-SPP 1420

Graded,

porous,

lightweight

concrete

Cooperationproject Mineralogy Uni Tübingen, PBMG Freiburg, ILEK Uni Stuttgart

26.08.2016

11



in architecture



processes


structures









© A

rchitektu

rbüro

Rasch +

Bra

dats

ch

, photo

s: J. Lie

nhard


Motivation: Development of rod-like structures

with adaptive stiffness and hinge-less kinematics

Inspired by plants and animals: Adaptive stiffness and hinge-free continuous kinematics

Main challenge:

Transfer of natural

solutions for adaptive

stiffness and/or hinge-

less joints into novel

bio-inspired technical

actuators for built

structures

Cooperation

partners:

O. Betz et al.(2016), In: J. Knippers, T. Speck & K. Nickel (eds.), Biomimetic Research for Architecture

and Building Construction: Biological Design and Integrative Structures, Springer.

26.08.2016

12

Adaptive functional morphology and biome-

chanics in selected rod-like plant structures

S. Poppinga, S. Hartmeyer, T. Masselter, I. Hartmeyer & T. Speck (2013): Plant Signaling & Behavior 8(7), e24685. DOI: 10.4161/psb.24685

Example 1: Snap-tentacles of carnivorous plants (Drosera glanduligera)

S. Poppinga, S. Hartmeyer, R. Seidel, T. Masselter, I. Hartmeyer & T. Speck (2012): PLoS ONE 7(9) e45735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045735

©P

lan

tB

iom

ech

anic

sG

rou

pFr

eib

urg

Cross-section of hinge zone

Phases of snap-tentacle movement

Actuation by active water transport

from adaxial to abaxial region and/or

turgor loss in cells of adaxial region.

Hypocotyl

Macro-

coty-

ledon

Inflores-

cence

Drying out process over 6.5 days


PBG Freiburg: M. Mylo, T. Kampowski, S. Poppinga & T. Speck / GreenPur – BW Foundation

Example 2: Tugor dependant adaptive functional morphology and

biomechanics in Monophyllaea horsfieldii



26.08.2016

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PBG Freiburg: M. Mylo, T. Kampowski, S. Poppinga & T. Speck / GreenPur – BW Foundation

Re-watering process over 1 day


Re-watering

(after 168 hours)

Rewatering process over 1 day

Drying out process

Day

1

Day

4

Day

5

Day

6

0 h 5 h 10 h 24 h

Variation in

hypocotyl

diameter

Time [h]

Hyp

oc

oty

ldia

me

ter

[mm

]

Re

lati

ve

Wa

ter

co

nte

nt

[/]

Be

nd

ing

Ela

sti

c M

od

ulu

s [

MP

a]

Day 1 - 4 drying out Day 5re-watering

Re-watering

(after 4 days)

Test plant 1

Test plant 2

Test plant 3

Test plant 4

Relative Water Content (RWC)

Actual fresh weight – Dry weight

Fully turgescent weight – Dry weight

Example 2: Turgor depandant

adaptive functional morphology

and biomechanics in

Monophyllaea horsfieldii





in architecture



processes


structures









26.08.2016

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Motivation: Development of planar, curved and

corrugated surfaces with hinge-less kinematics

Kinematics of planar, curved and corrugated surfaces – Biomimetic solutions for architecture

Main challenge: Finding possible solutions in botany for adaptive hinge-

less deployable planar structures in building construction and architecture

© itk

eS

tuttgart

& P

lant B

iom

echan

ics

Gro

up F

reib

urg

© img.alibaba.com

© bp.blogspotPeek und Cloppenburg, Cologne 2005 Renzo Piano &

Knippers Helbig

Cooperation

partners:

From the Bird-of-Paradise-Flower to the

Flectofin® façade-shading system

J. Lienhard, S. Schleicher, S. Poppinga, T. Masselter, M. Milwich, T. Speck & J. Knippers (2011): Bioinspiration and

Biomimetics, 6: DOI:10.1088/1748-3182/6/4/045001

© V

ideo:

Pete

r S

choppa

& C

arina V

ogt

Cla

uss

Mark

isen

(Mo

vie

: J. L

ien

hard

)

Prototype of

the façade-

shading-

system

Flectofin®:

bending

actuated by

hydraulic

pistons at

the base

© IT

KE

Stu

ttgart

& P

lant

Bio

mechanic

s G

roup F

reib

urg

Soma Architecture

(Vienna) and Knippers

Helbig Engineers

(Stuttgart)

Bio-inspired kinematic façade: Thematic Pavilion /

Expo 2012 (Yeosu, South Korea)

Further developments based on Flectofin®

Soma Architecture

(Vienna) and Knippers

Helbig Engineers

(Stuttgart)

26.08.2016

15

Double-Flectofin®:

Simulation & Demonstrator

© B. Miklautsch

Flectofin® a biomimetic façade-shading-

system based on fibre composite material

Cooperationproject PBG Freiburg, ITKE Univ. Stuttgart & ITV Denkendorf

Façade-shading

elements: Backbone and

shading membrane made

of glass fibre reinforced

polymers (GFRP)

S. S

chle

icher,

J.

Lie

nhard

, S

.

Poppin

ga, T

. S

peck &

J.

Knip

pers

(2015):

Com

pute

r-A

ided

Desig

n, 60: 105-1

17.

© I

TV

De

nke

nd

orf

/ IT

KE

Stu

ttg

art

© P

lant

Bio

mechaucs

Gro

up F

reib

urg

© IT

KE

Stu

ttgart

20x decelaration

Carnivorous waterwheel plant role model

for biomimetic façade-shading-systems

Kinetic model of the snap-trapping mechanism

of the waterwheel plant in FE-modelFlexible component inspired by water-

wheel plant applied to a curved surface

The two leaf-halves of the snap trap of Aldrovanda vesiculosa remain undeformed.

The closure of the snap trap is driven by a small hydraulical deformation (bending) of the

midrip connecting the halves of the snap trap and represents a motion amplification.

© IT

KE

Stu

ttgart

26.08.2016

16

Flectofold

© I

TK

E &

IT

FT

Un

ive

rsit

y o

fS

tutt

gart

an

dIT

V D

en

ken

do

rf

Biomimetic façade-shading modul made of fiber-reinforced material

CRC-TRR 141-Cooperationproject PBG Freiburg, ITKE & IBB Stuttgart, ITV Denkendorf

Elastic architecture: Flectofold - biomimetic

façade-shading inspired by waterwheel plant

S. P

op

pin

gaet

al.

(20

16

), In

: J.

Kn

ipp

ers,

T. S

pec

k &

K. N

icke

l (ed

s.),

B

iom

imet

ic R

ese

arch

fo

r A

rch

itec

ture

an

d B

uil

din

g C

on

stru

ctio

n:

Bio

logi

cal D

esig

n a

nd

Inte

grat

ive

Stru

ctu

res,

Sp

rin

ger.

Façade-shading

elements made

of glass fibre

reinforced

polymers (GFRP)



in architecture



processes


structures









26.08.2016

17


Motivation: Development of novel, biomimetically

optimized branching joints for architecture

Main challenge: Optimization of form and fibre-arrangement in

bioinspired technical branched fibrous composites especially for

truss structures in architecture and constructional engineering

Roof supporting structure of Stuttgart airport,

©Flughafen Stuttgart

Dracaena draco © Websicover.ru Pandanus tectorius © ‚Kwietone 25‘ at flickr.com

Branchings and axes as concept generators for joints of branched building structures

Cooperationpartners:

Highly load-bearing construction parts of

branched fiber-reinforced composites

Highly load-bearing

constructions in

architecture

Supporting structures

in automotives &

aerospace

Frames (e.g.

motobikes,

bicycles)

© www.metallguss-steinruecken.de © www.light-bikes.de

Multifunctional

lightweight struc-

tures in robotics

© J. Schmitz, Uni Bilefeld

Fields of

application in

architectureBiological role

models© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg

& o

the

rso

urc

es

© www.

dehner.de

26.08.2016

18

Dragon tree

(Dracaena marginata)

Thin section

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg

& B

ot.

In

stitu

t T

U D

resde

n

Higly load-bearing fiber-reinforced branching regions

Cooperationsproject: PBG Freiburg, ITV Denkendorf, TU Dresden, Uni Stuttgart

Maceration

Columnar cactus

(Pachycereus sp.)

Fiber- and woodsegment arrangement in

selected arborescent mono- & dicots

Dwarf umbrella tree

(Schefflera arboricola)

Maceration

3D-Analysis of the branching region of a

dragon tree by Magnet Resonance Imaging

L. Hesse, T. Masselter, J. Leupold, N. Spengler, T. Speck & J.G. Korvink (2016): Scientific Reports (in print).

T. Masselter, L. Hesse, J. Leupold, N. Spengler, J.G. Korvink & T. Speck (2015), In: 8th Plant Biomech. Conf., 230-234. Nagoya, Japan.

Start

End

Direction of

imaging

© P

lant

Bio

mechanic

s G

roup F

reib

urg

& U

niv

ers

ity

Clin

ics F

reib

urg

& K

IT

26.08.2016

19

3D-Analysis of the branching region of a

dragon tree by Magnet Resonance Imaging

F

Overlay of outer surface

showing deformation of

branching region

loaded

unloaded1.5 cm

1.5 cm 5 mm5 mm

Discretisation of individual bundles and overlay in unloaded and loaded

situation showing deformation of individual bundles in the branching region

© P

lant

Bio

mechanic

s G

roup F

reib

urg

& U

niv

ers

ity C

linic

s F

reib

urg

& K

IT

L. Hesse, T. Masselter, J. Leupold, N. Spengler, T. Speck & J.G. Korvink (2016): Scientific Reports (in print).

T. Masselter, L. Hesse, J. Leupold, N. Spengler, J.G. Korvink & T. Speck (2015), In: 8th Plant Biomech. Conf., 230-234. Nagoya, Japan.

µ-Computer-Tomography-Analysis of the

branching region of the dwarf umbrella tree

© P

lant

Bio

mechanic

s G

roup F

reib

urg

L. Born, F. Jonas, K. Bunk et al. (2016), In: J. Knippers, T. Speck & K. Nickel (eds.), Biomimetic Research for

Architecture and Building Construction: Biological Design and Integrative Structures, Springer.

Start

End

Direction of

imaging

3D-Analysis of outer shape

and inner structure

1.5 cm

Main

stem

Side-

branch

26.08.2016

20

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg

, IT

V D

enke

nd

orf

, IL

K D

resde

n &

TU

Dre

sde

n

Branched plant stems: concept generators

for branched fiber reinforced composits

L. Müller, M. Milwich, A. Gruhl, H. Böhm, M. Gude, T. Haushahn, T. Masselter, H. Schwager, T. Neinhuis & T.

Speck (2013): Technical Textiles, 56/5: 231 – 235.

© P

lant B

iom

ech

anic

sG

roup

Fre

iburg

, IT

V D

enke

nd

orf

&

IT

KE

Stu

ttg

art

Branched plant stems: concept generators

for braided concrete filled FRP tubes

Carbon fibre-reinforced polymer

(CFRP) filled with concrete (Co) and

test on FRP confined concrete

Test specimen with an interlayer for

free-flowing expanding Eurogrout

Fields of application in architecture:

highly load-bearing building constructions

26.08.2016

21



in architecture



processes


structures









Collaborative Research Center - Transregio 141Motivation: Testing the biomimetic promise: natural

solutions as concept generators for sustainable

technology development in the construction sector

Main challenge: Testing the biomimetic promise that

biomimetic solutions can help for sustainable technology

development in the construction sector

The biomimetic promise: natural solutions as concept generators for sustainable architecture

Biomimetic ribbed ceiling© PBG-FR

Bio-inspired lamp with

„Dandelion look“© ikea.com

© VDI – Guideline

Biomimetics

Cooperation

partners:

26.08.2016

22

Example: Sustainability assessment

for a biomimetic ceiling structure

Biological role model: bone Product: ribbed ceilingAbstraction: model

Biomimetic product Contribution to several

sustainability aims

→ Biomimetic promise is kept.Sustainabilityassessment

F. Antony, R. Grießhammer, T. Speck & O. Speck (2014): Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, 9. DOI:10.1088/1748-3182/9/1/016013

R. Horn, J. Gantner, L. Widmer, K.P. Sedlbauer & O. Speck(2016), In: J. Knippers, T. Speck & K. Nickel (eds.), Biomimetic Research for Architecture and Building Construction: Biological Design and Integrative Structures, Springer.



in architecture



processes


structures









26.08.2016

23

Biomimetics: The dream to learn

from nature becomes reality

Biomimetics is the Future of Innovation!

Ökopark Hartberg

© V

ers

ch

iede

ne

Qu

elle

n

Leonardo da Vinci

(1452-1519)

„Humans creative genius is capable of making various inventions (…). However, he will not be able to make one,

being more beautiful, more economic or more straightforward than the ones of nature, as in nature’s

inventions nothing is missing and nothing is superfluous.“

Green Building - Building Green in Cities – Helsinki, 25‘-26’08‘2016

Plant Biomechanics Group – Botanic Garden University of Freiburgwww.botanischer-garten.uni-freiburg.de

Competence Network ‚Biomimetics‘ Baden-Württemberg (MWK-BW)www.kompetenznetz-biomimetik.de

BIOKON e.V & BIOKON international – The Biomimetic Association (BIONA-BMBF)www.biokon.de & www.biokon-international.com

Education and Teaching in Biomimeticswww.bionik-online.de www.bionik-vitrine.de www.bionik-blog.de

Acknowledgements

6 Groupleaders, 2 Postdocs, 12 PhD-students,

12 Diploma-, Bachelor-. Master- & Stex-

Students, 4 Technicians, 12 Gardeners


Collaborative Research Center TRR 141

Engineering

Thomas Speck: Biomimetic architecture