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Genetic Architectures Research GroupIt involves an interdisciplinary approach to the application of genetics in architecture. It is based on two perspectives: the real, natural and direct working with geneticists, and the metaphorical, artificial and digital using CAD-CAM technologies.
It is a new look at ecology and environment introducing biological techniques, searching with digital tools a biodigital fusion in architecture. It focuses on the relevance of the new digital paradigms in the design process, on digital architecture and the most progressive experimental architecture. New technologies bring us closer to new production processes (Data Driven Production, CNC, 3D Printers) which create non-standard architecture - more in line with the logic that governs the genes (variation, mutation, hybridisation) - rather than focusing on industrialised chain processes. This line has opened a new understanding of architecture with new cybernetic-digital and ecological-environmental design. |
Group Members
Alberto T. Estévez (Director) | Yomna Abdallah (Vice-Director) | Pablo Baquero | Dragos Brescan | Karl S. Chu | Josep Corcó | Dennis Dollens | Marina El-kess Pola | Gabriel Fernández | Agustí Fontarnau | Daniela Frogheri | Effimia Giannopoulou | Marwan Halabi | Mohamad Maksoud | Affonso Orciuoli | Ignasi Pérez Arnal | Ariel Valenzuela | Angad Warang
RESEARCH PROJECTS
"Genetic Barcelona Project", 1st phase, 2003-2006 © Alberto T. Estévez
"Genetic Barcelona Project", 2nd phase, 2007-2010 © Alberto T. Estévez
Genetic research about bioluminescence for architectural applications: Bio-lamp, "battery" with bioluminescent bacteria that live originally in abyssal fish. In 2008, for first time in architecture history, without electrical installation, a whole home was systematically illuminated with bioluminescence. Searching efficiency this phase also introduces in other non-bioluminescent bacteria and plants the genes group responsible for bioluminescence in previously mentioned bacteria.
"Genetic Barcelona Project", 3rd phase, 2011-2014 © Alberto T. Estévez
The genetic creation of bioluminescent plants for urban and domestic use: ornamental plants with bacteria and insects genes for bioluminescence.
Applying living tisues to architecture, 2007-2010 © Alberto T. Estévez
Research into genetic control of cell growth, making living tissue grow as a building material: cellular masses that become alive walls that emerge alone, soft and furry architecture that grows.
Microscopic Structures, 2008-2019 © Alberto T. Estévez
Research about layers where the cellular masses emerge and organize themselves as the first structural level, which is very relevant for architecture: use of electron microscope allows us to see a perspective of thousands of magnifications.
Fractal Structures, 2008-2009 © Alberto T. Estévez
Research about levels of fractality that can be detected in living structures using electron microscope: this it the way cellular masses grow like structural systems.
Pictures taken with FEI Quanta 200 scanning electron microscope (SCT-UB).
Pictures taken with FEI Quanta 200 scanning electron microscope (SCT-UB).
Biodigital Structures, panels, 2008 (-2011) © Alberto T. Estévez
CAD-CAM technologies to produce real architecture at 1:1 scale, following a microscopic research, in this case about radiolarian and pollen structures. In this way started the studies for extracting the genetic rules and the structural parameters for application with digital tools. Having its digital DNA that let also the architectural design “emerge” alone, have been manufactured different kind of shapes and uses.
Biodigital Structures, Biodigital Barcelona Pavilion, 2008-2009 © Alberto T. Estévez
CAD-CAM technologies to produce real architecture at 1:1 scale, following a microscopic research, in this case about radiolarian and pollen structures. In this way started the studies for extracting the genetic rules and the structural parameters for application with digital tools. Having its digital DNA that let also the architectural design “emerge” alone, have been manufactured different kind of shapes and uses.
Biodigital Barcelona Bench, 2010 - 2016 © Alberto T. Estévez
A shape that can perform for many human ways of sitting, covered with natural grass, the bench brings back nature into the city, a smart and useful nature which can be lived and experienced. Transitions between different sections are digitally manufactured with wood rips.
Laboratories © Alberto T. Estévez
Esta línea de investigación se encuentra financiada por la Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, así como por la Fundació La Caixa,
el Incasol de la Generalitat de Catalunya y el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.
el Incasol de la Generalitat de Catalunya y el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.