Team: Prof. Marjan Colletti , Georg Grasser, Peter Massin, Daniel Luckeneder, Markus Malin, Aleksandrina Rizova
Students: Angermann Johannes, Bacher Katharina, Blaschke Benjamin, Czarnecka Lucyna , Enz Vanessa, Fischer Julia, Gavrilovic Pedja, Gros Nicole, Gsaller Manuel, Hofbauer Natalie, Holte Stian , Huff Beatrice , Jovljevic Zeljka, Köll Hannah , Leonardi Lara , Liedtke Juliana , Liner Theresa, Mayr Pia, Mellin Christopher, Metzler Daniel, Michelitsch Marion , Ostrowski Roy, Özdemir Sadi, Premstaller Alexander, Rauter Kathrin, Rüßkamp David, Schickermüller Barbara, Schweigl Verena, Speiser Patrick , Stampfl Manuela, Strigl Lukas, Stuffer Fabian, Unterfrauner Maximilian, Vieweg Marius, Zebec Sara, Zeinhofer Alexandra , Zißler Andreas
Topic
Greenhouses in botanical gardens show a long tradition of innovative and sometimes extreme structures. These designs are spacious, light, transparent, thin, elegant, artificial. The concept of Bio(tro)nic gardens is explored in depth as part of the Maribor 2112Ai 100YC project. Greenhouses, and particularly bio(tro)nic greenhouses can provide valuable infrastructure for a variety of research and production companies and institutions in Maribor.
In the same way the landscape presented within greenhouses is in reality artificial (almost synthetic), the notion of bio(tro)nic gardens rethinks architecture in order to make it lighter, thinner, smarter and more transparent. Conceptually, creatively and technically, we seek a synthesis between nature, environment and architecture. The result is a symbiosis, based on environmental and artificial (man-made) interactions and interrelationships that constantly influence one another.
Bionics is based on the assumption that nature produces (relatively) optimised structures through the process of natural time-based evolution. However, optimisation does not necessarily mean reduction or minimisation. On the contrary – biological systems are extremely diverse and as such they could provoke the introduction of a richer architectural vocabulary than conventionally acquired.
Plants and water habitat are characterised by different forms, colours and scale – this visual and performative complexity is conveyed by our architectural projects. Through research into biomimetics, we are able to produce multiple variations of architectural aesthetics – to be applied to the development of a botanical/ hydro-botanical garden.
We investigate plant species and corresponding artificial systems, active and/or passive environmental engineering, adaptive interaction with the natural/ built surroundings. We develop innovative design approaches where bionic becomes mechatronic (the biological qualities are translated into mechanical interactive media) or biotronic (attuned to the interaction of biological, electronic and information technology components and modules).
Plant processes (photosynthesis, respiration, etc.), biological physical processes (such as metabolism) and building systems (ventilation, services, renewable technologies etc.) are perceived as important strategic guidelines. In addition, immediate physical design constraints (building site, historical development, geometry, etc.) are advantageously implemented in all proposals. As a result, site context, building structure and environmental understanding lead to the creation of multi-layered integrated architectural systems.
Architecture is not only what is visually perceived – it is also conveyed through its tactile properties. Architecture must respond to factors such as light, temperature, humidity, smell in the early stages of the design process.
Architecture needs to breathe!
