Biodynamics and Active Systems

This course examines the ways in which biological organisms achieve complex ‘emergent’ structures and performances from simple components, relating this to an exploration of current architectural/industrial component design, prototyping and production. The aim is to suggest the possibility of a radical bottom-up programme for architectural design proceeding from a component strategy derived from an analysis of biological systems. The course explores the concepts that are driving the implementation of new material systems, particularly in ‘smart’ or adaptive structures. An introduction to the ways in which organisms have evolved their form, materials and structures in response to varied functions and environments will be followed by an account of the way in which engineering design principles have been abstracted from nature in current research projects for industry and material science. An in-depth study of a natural system (general form, anatomy and energy flows and behaviour) will be carried out, and the interrelations explored and the engineering principles abstracted.