THE ROOT BRIDGES OF CHERRAPUNJI

Resource: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/root-bridges-cherrapungee

Centuries-old bridges, grown from tangled roots

In the depths of northeaster India there is a bridge that constructed by itself. The bridge is made out of roots of the Ficus elastica tree. The tree produces a serious of secondary roots from higher up its truck ad comfortably perch a top huge boulders along the riverbanks, or even in the middle of the river themselves. In order to make a rubber tree's roots grow in the right direction the Khasis use betel nut trunks, sliced down the middle and hollowed out to create root guidance system. The thin, tender roots of the rubber tree, prevented from fanning out by the betel nut trunks, grow straight out. When they reach the other side of the river, they’re allowed to take root in the soil. Given enough time, a sturdy, living bridge is produced.

Relating to previous post of metabolic material, this natural system of growth tree can be expected to study further to apply in infrastructure system such as bridge and highways. The city grows like a tree. As it grows it needs more space for inhabitants. As the time passes significance of growing architecture that adapts to the changing environment will be focused.

[Ted Talk] Rachel Armstrong: Architecture that repairs itself?

Resource: https://www.ted.com/talks/rachel_armstrong_architecture_that_repairs_itself

Metabolic material is interesting concept taking the mechanisms of biology to form our desires. A living material that consistently responding to its surroundings and in some point to grow and repair by itself. It it likely to be used in areas with repeat flooding or urban areas lower than sea levels since it requires the water for system development. Speaker suggested saving Venice as a case study in this talk that it it believed this technology can prevent city to sink any further by using the protocell technology. This concept is to generate and design an artificial reef under the foundation of existing wooden piles to stop the further sinking and in possible case to bring it back to the new land. Application of this idea will need to consume a long time and it may not be able to succeed in first try but if it continues develop it can be applied to prevent and repair upcoming unexpected natural disaster. Yes, we do work hard to prevent any further disasters happening but in some point mother nature does struck us and give a hard time. It is important to preventing future issues but if the problems are already there we cannot ignore them. We should find a way to resolve them to learn a lesson from the past. This technology considers building from the bottom structure and creates architecture than re-connects itself back to the city through the use of surrounding environment. It makes our world our living more symbiotic and using technology that does not outgrows in negative ways.

Chinese company 3D prints 10 buildings in a day using construction waste

Resource: http://www.dezeen.com/2014/04/24/chinese-company-3d-prints-buildings-construction-waste/

Finally the building waste meets new technology to contribute in built environment stepping further to sustainable future. Recently material firm in China has successfully built a house with mix of industry wast and cement using 3D Printer. It will be used as office at the industrial park in Shanghai. The building is not only usable but it also demonstrated future process of building an architecture that consume less energy and labor. 

It is still long way to go since the roof structure was not resolved by the printer and also other technical issues such as waterproofing and need of testing actual impact on human health. But I see a great potential of these project and its application in future. In my opinion this technique can be quite useful if it develops further to designing an affordable housing or emergency shelter that requires low budget and short period of time. 

It’s The Little things

Resource: http://greenmagazine.com.au/its-the-little-things/

I found and watched this short award winning animation Secret Life of Things series. It was created by Leyla Acaroglu, Eco Innovator and supports from Design and Technology Teachers Association Victoria. It tells the story of everyday use object on its point of view and how the product can be misused, neglected and abandoned. First I thought using animation as a education tool was very smart and easy way to introduce the importance of sustainability to public. As it was discussed from previous few posts, it is important to plan ahead and arrange a sustainable environment for future generation. But it does not mean the present issues should be ignored in anyway and when future plans are something that happens in large context, current situation can be start from something small. From the little things that is around you. Designing a product that is re-usable and easy to fix, understanding the right way to use the product for long lasting experience and be aware of every action that can have great impact on environment.

ADEPT plans looping masterplan for Chinese city district

Resource: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/08/23/adept-plans-looping-masterplan-for-chinese-city-district/


Continues from the topic of previous post, thinking green for city planning, this project could be good precedent studies for current process of green city. 

This master plan competition for Hengyang, China was won by Danish architecture studio ADEPT, design involving a sequence of loop zone. Respecting historical precincts and integrating existing environment, the small loops of zones interact with its own character. And this relationship is lies between sustainable transportation system. The logical idea was inheriting tradition values and offer new way of living for community which enhance the experience of the urban environment and gives unique identity to the city. 

Most exciting part of this project is to see a city that is develop base on the green public transportation. Unlike how old cities that has been developed based on its cultural district these master plan can expect to be a car free city that would suggest new look of future city

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[Ted Talk] A Song of the City by Jaime Lerner

Original Resource) http://www.ted.com/talks/jaime_lerner_sings_of_the_city

Jaime Lerner is a Brazilian politician. He was the governor of the state of Paraná, in southern Brazil. He is renowned as an architect and urban planner, having been mayor of Curitiba, capital of Paraná, three times.

In this video he discuss about living in city, living with city and living for city. He took a great transformation of city by developing mobility and sustainability at the same time. Creating a structure that can connect all the mobility system and reduce the use of cars. Also the importance of education to future generation that would inherit the existing environment to continue its idea.

After I watch this video, the perspective of city planning has shifted slightly. Before this my idea of city planning is something that does not happening currently more for the future, a future that feels bit of distance from where I live now. (Like City of Sydney 2030 Sustainable City) But I see that big things starts from the small stuff.



However there was also public comment on current situation of city Curitiba where the IME, the express-bus-centric traffic system going under the issue of traffic jams and rush hour and feeling it is getting worse.
It is important to trying to solve the current issue but also to be aware of further upcoming problems and maintenance of the system. I guess for this reason Jaime Lerner suggested importance of education. Educate future generation to prevent failure of system and continue the concern of mobility and sustainability.

Recycling+Building Materials / Critical Reflection

Recycling + Building Materials by Taylor Metcalf 

Published in Archdaily 7th August 2011
Resource: http://www.archdaily.com/155549/recyclingbuilding-materials/

SUMMARY

1. Recyclable Alternatives;
concrete, metal, brick and plastics can be produced from previous used materials which lowers 90% of the energy requirement and emission during the process.

2. Using local resources
re-proposing demolished trees or use destroyed trees from surrounding forest.

3. Discover the merits of demolished existing environment

4. Experiment with new unorthodox materials 

CRITICAL REFLECTION

It is a great examples of how we can turn unwanted waste into something usable and applicable material that are truly modern and trendy. The amazing part of this is it can still stay green at the same time, opportunity to reduce environmental impact and discover potential from the existing built environment.