Videre: Drawing and Evolutionary Architectures
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Videre: Drawing and Evolutionary Architectures Paul Cureton Abstract Keywords organises the space-time continuum eco- systematically.”5 Analysing the works of the seascape architect Seascape Architecture, Autopia Ampere, Wolf Hilbertz (1938 -2007), coral scientist Drawing, Visualisation, Mineral Accretion, He based the system on three sub sections Dr Tomas Goreau, architect Newton Hilbertz, Goreau. frst, a sensing structure subsystem akin Fallis and collective, the paper considers to a living organism, it requires a material the development of ‘self organizing’ natural Introduction to sense such environments. Secondly, a building materials developing a mode material and reclamation system which of working - Cybertecture (Cybernetics “Cybertecture is a concept to reverse a manipulates the sensing structure to the & Architecture) (Hilbertz 1970). Tis historical process radically.” Wolf Hilbertz needs of the user. Tirdly, a computer investigation focuses particularly on that of system which would act as a decentralised Biorock® the mineral accretion technology, “Te old falls down, times change, and new nervous structure organises the sensing and involves a process of creating artifcial life blossoms out of ruins.” Goethe and reclamation systems to adapt to the coral reefs which are stronger and more total needs of the user. It would have resilient to degrading factors found on Examination and integration of the reversible capabilities and could balance natural reefs. Te technology exemplifes an mechanisms of evolutionary processes itself against any disruption. Te system evolutionary environmental system, a coral can yield a raft of experience which can would absorb and be capable of higher level which is more reliant, tradable, multiplies then be drawn from, of the processes of tasks of organisation and complexity and in growth three to fve times faster than things. Te desire for heuristic evolutionary symbiotic processes.6 Such work, it was normal, protects coastline, and grows architectures that are “self-organizing hoped, would create an autoplastic system fsh populations through its constantly environmental open systems capable of – open systems being regulated by the law evolving habitat (Hilbertz, Goreau 1970, forming higher orders of organization”1 is of nature only – “creating, changing and 1992, 2008). Importantly the technology has collectively being reshaped towards new terminating, in an in-deterministic manner, wide implications for restoring, designing technologies that address our environmental diversity and contexture.”7 Architecture and managing fragile and threatened coral impact. A heuristic approach is to enable was to be seen as a material in transition ecosystems thus creating an emerging feld of change, a new life as Goethe places it. Te and experiment which would never be Seascape Architecture (Goreau, Hilbertz 2005). heuristic method is one of discovering and completed: “it will incessantly explain and fnding, projecting solutions borne out of form the world out of it’s very self-anew Through the application of such the now. To this end the seascape architect and thus, at any given time, will be the technology, an accreted city of coral is Wolf Hilbertz (1938 -2007), coral scientist best of all architectures.”8 Such goals to envisioned - Autopia Ampere. Te early Dr. Tomas Goreau and Newton Fallis, Hilbertz could only be realised through stage of the project involved large scale Forest Higgs & collective, from the late the integration of the hard and soft sciences hand drawings of possible outcomes and 1960s researched and articulated categorical and the arts - architecture and engineering issues in construction and production imperatives2 for natural building materials essentially - moving beyond a ‘responsive (Fallis 2010). Te drawings of Autopia that created a symbiosis of man, animal, environment’ towards an ‘evolutionary can be considered as heuristic and also plant, technology and nature.3 Tese environment’ - a socio-cultural and visionary in the testing of ideas - (Videre, imperatives included renewable building environmental solution. Tis evolutionary Latin. to see). Te author’s composite materials with low to moderate states of environment works on the premises of drawings present this vision as a method energy that could be naturally grown dynamic stimulating interrelationships to understanding the project as a form of whilst also supporting biodiversity.4 It was and rich connections, “between man, his ‘dialogic drawing’ (Dee 2004). From this through examination of the phenomena extensions and nature; being simultaneously basis there is a consideration of the role of of natural organization that a cybernetic beginning and end, originator and result, hand drawing, its decline and its relation to function (utilising computer technology producer and user.”9 Such visions and other visualization techniques-arguing the that determines the frequency of this alternative thinking are similar to those of case for the maintenance of this particular natural change) could enable these new Soleri, Buckminster Fuller et al, belonging ‘visionary’ species (a morphological type) of structures and materials -what Hilbertz to both an enriching pedagogic mode for drawing in architectural practice (Evans called Cybertecture (CYBERnetics & studio practice, but which also have radical 1996, 2000). Tis is a type of drawing archiTECTURE), analogous to living challenges to accepted systems and ways of which arguably can ‘infuence’ and ‘work systems, control mechanisms that working, as Vesley remarks, “what we know out’ to provide or image heuristically organize materials in a self-determined contributes to what we make, and what is charged solutions, spaces and structures manner. Hilbertz attempted to outline an already made contributes substantially to to our changing climate. evolutionary environmental system “which what it is possible to know.”10 Accepting (left) Autopia Ampere, After Newton Fallis (1970) and Wolf Hilbertz (1978), 2009, Pencil, 23.5cm * 13.8cm. m a de 19 at wsa such patterns, the identifcation of the a dangerous spiralling downturn on the possibilities of coral structuring and the marine resources of natural destruction pressing need to conserve the unique and human decimation.16 In comparison marine habitat so essential to life that as Hilbertz and Goreau claim, coral reefs Hilbertz develops, demonstrate such would be the most valuable ecosystem for heuristic methods which in turn represent over a 100 countries worldwide if their the original (visual) representations at a economic and environmental services conceptual level – a cycle evolving pattern were properly accounted for and properly of thinking. managed.17 Te arks coastline protection limits erosion and is substantially cheaper Coral Arks to implement than concrete seawalls. Tis has been implemented in the Maldives The piloting of mineral accretion creating a Biorock breakwater- causing the demonstrated a harmonious ocean building beach to grow by ffty feet in a few years material called Biorock® (also called by absorbing the wave energy.18 Te use of Seament, Seacrete, or Mineral Accretion). coral as building material has appeared in Applying an electrical charge powered by the ancient city of Cartagena de las Indas photovoltaic or wind generators to a sunken in Colombia.19 Tis precedent shows the steel mesh armature (usually construction history of such thinking.20 In addition coral grade rebar) would charge and repair or reef restoration has been reported in the create new coral reefs as well as being self- 1800s attaching corals to wooden stakes, repairing.11 Te electrical charge would and was known to Darwin.21 crystallise materials and create walls of calcium carbonate. Small coral tissue Te arks have signifcant economic benefts would then become attached to the Biorock to tourism apropos particular areas which reef structure and both accelerate growth have undergone extensive damage due to when the electrical charge is sustained. Te storms become snorkelling and dive spots. coral is left with more metabolic energy, Tis creates networks of stakeholders all reproductive cability and environmental of which work together to monitor and resistance in the process. Tus, it becomes sustain the arks. Other artifcial reefs stronger by age, is more resilient and such as old cars, sunken ships or concrete multiplies in growth three to fve times modules coral take longer to take root and faster than normal and protects coastline.12 establish due to the pollutants that they Te Biorock corals “are more intensely excrete22 - “thus do not produce genuine pigmented, have higher growth rates and coral reef communities”.23 Additional better developed branching and growth benefts include the construction costs- morpohology”,13 than those genetically wire, electricity and labour being the only identical and growing in the same outlay. Testing has taken place in Saya environmental conditions. Pigmentation De Mahla banks,24 NE Indian Ocean, a of corals plays an important role in shallow marine ecosystem (and essential the regulation and absorption of solar stepping stone for shallow water species). radiation and thus their ability to grow Hilbertz and Collective searched for suitable within harsh environments. Te reefs research sites examining the geography and can also be grown in areas where water bathymetry when he came upon Seamount quality is an issue. Likewise the reefs can Ampere,25 east of Gibraltar and Skerki Bank be specifed to any shape or size