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Research and Notes

Readings from class:

Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth

Although Fuller’s book was written in the 60’s, many of his ideas and suggestions still remain very important and relevant in today’s society. An uncanny example of this is Fuller stating that burning fossil fuels isn’t a renewable source of energy and transportation, in fact we are dipping into resource “savings” everytime we make use of the fuel.

Morris The Red, Morris The Green

“At the core of (Morris’s) socialism, was the struggle against pollution and destruction of the environment.” Jack Lindsay

Better the environment by stopping mass production in a competition with another company.

Raymond Reynolds stated that Morris believed commercialism was not only responsible for destroying humans lives, but also for ruining nature.

...‘what Nature gives us, and what a reasonable man can make out of the gifts of Nature for his reasonable use’ - Morris.

Here Morris is stating that we need only to use and produce what we need, not what we want. The resources nature gifts us with are plenty enough to thrive and return back to the land in an two way relationship.

He believed that the first step to a better future was world wide unison in the envisionment of a world where are not at battle with our planet, in sought of domination; then it would happen.

Personal Research:

Insist on the right of humanity and nature to coexist in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition.

What does humanity and nature coexisting really mean?

The principle is almost a little ironic. Technically humanity is part of nature, we’ve just prided ourselves as a superior species in a world where nature and us are two different concepts.

How do we measure a healthy, supportive, diverse, and sustainable condition?

Is it possible?

How have humans positively and negatively acted in accordance to the principle in both past and present times?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5114301/

The Human–Nature Relationship and Its Impact on Health: A Critical Review

Valentine Seymour

https://www.humansandnature.org/sustainability-s-source-in-human-nature

Sustainability's Source in Human Nature

Earon Davis

https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/JSM-01-2016-0037

Humans’ relationship to nature – framing sustainable marketing

Helge Lober 2016

Graphic Agility

Adbusters

Packard Material

Circular Economy System

Manitoga:

Manitoga are an exemplary precedent for ecological design that might prompt a reconsideration of modern design’s relationship to nature

characterized by a shift away from the excessive number of delicate and decorative pieces demanded by formal entertaining.

a closer integration of indoor and outdoor living,

but paid careful attention to texture, colour, light and sensual qualities, consciously sculpting the landscape, stones, and vegetation into particular scenic effects

These textures, sounds, smells, and tactile encounters engage the walker with natural materials and processes, and at certain points, Wright narrows a trail in order to force the walker to brush past laurel branches or negotiate granite boulders apparently blocking access

This management has had two goals: To return the landscape to a diverse, healthy, self-sustaining system, and to create dramatic and complex aesthetic effects’

The duality of Wright’s project is understood by Franklin as both regenerative and aesthetic, the latter acknowledging the consciously constructed nature of landscape design, a characteristic generally underestimated in early ecological design projects.

My strategy insist upon the rights of humanity and nature coexisting (in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable manner) is to produce a series of posters / prints that raise awareness of the imbalance and inequality in our world. Primarily I will focus on how humans often alienate themselves from the environment, believing that the world is theirs, and that they are in someway superior to everyone else.

S kellert

(I guess you could say this is focusing more on the healthy and supportive aspects of the principle.)

https://sites.psu.edu/arch311w/2015/12/09/designing-for-human-and-wildlife-users-2/

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/nature-view-nature-design-reconnecting-people-nature-through-design/1069371/

https://www.fastcompany.com/1679785/empowerment-marketing-advertising-to-humans-as-more-than-just-selfish-machines

https://econation.co.nz/biomimicry/

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/nature-view-nature-design-reconnecting-people-nature-through-design/1069371/

Rona Binay Masters Thesis: COEXIST: Mixing With Urban Wildlife, by Rona Binay

https://productsofdesign.sva.edu/blog/rona-binay-thesis

https://ronabinaythesis.tumblr.com/

Why should we care about wildlife?

Because we it to survive. We simply cannot live without wildlife.

Diversity of other species controls population, and provide us with scientifically proven calmer emotions.

Issues such as bees only become visible  or ‘interesting’ after it is too late.

Data from the United nations shows the historical increase in the population living in urban areas as opposed to rural. This is likely to increase based on predictions.

70%, meaning cities are where most people experience nature in their daily lives.

Cities are not only the problem, but they are the beginning of the solution to conserving biodiversity.

Researching only and not acting accomplishes nothing.

How can we incorporate nature and biodiversity into our design process?

1. Raise awareness

Trace

Wildspotting > engages people actively

2. Make Changes

Urban birdbath

finch

3. Shift the point of view.

The way to raise awareness is to create an interest or curiosity around the subject.

>educate people about the brilliance of wildlife and our ecosystem.

3 biggest threats to birds are habitat loss, climate change, and collisions with glass or vehicles.

980 million birds die yearly from collisions with glass, only counting the US.

Design not only for / to humans but for every species.

Liz McQuiston Graphic Agitation

Social Change +

Graphic Design

Graphic design fighting for nature

WWF

1970 Earth Day Poster

Fsm

Both human

and natural systems have become more vulnerable,

and the earth has crossed several planetary bound-

aries (Rockstrom et al., 2009, Steffen et al., 2015).

Such consequences have largely resulted from the

historical views of human–nature relationships—

humans should and can conquer nature (Liu, 2010),

or humans can utilize nature without limits (Simon,

1996).

For example, many people began to use

forests in rural China as fuelwood upon their settle-

ment (Liu etal., 1999). The amount of fuelwood col-

lection increased as human population increased.

However, as electricity became more available and

affordable, fuelwood use decreased. As a result of

the new policy banning forest harvesting, forest

harvesting was stopped and thus human–nature

coupling in the form of forest harvesting was dis-

solved (Yang etal., 2013a)

On one hand, hu-

mans rely on natural subsystems (e.g., ecosystem

services such as clean water, fresh air, food, shel-

ter, bioenergy) for survival and development (5).

At the same time, humans alter the natural sub-

systems, usually in a manner that degrades them.

Impacts:

However, the Biophilia hypothesis (44) remains the most substantially contributed to theory and argues for the instinctive esthetic preference for natural environments and subconscious affiliation for other living organisms.

Supportive findings include humans’ preference for scenes dominated by natural elements (4), improved cognitive functioning through connectivity with nature… More recently, evidence is emerging to suggest that connectivity to nature can generate positive impacts on one’s health, increasing with intensity and duration

This conservative behavior (e.g., natural defenses, habitat management, and ecological restoration) can be termed “Urgent Biophilia” (81) and is the conscious urge to express affinity for nature pending an environmental disaster. As Radkau (69) suggests, with warnings of climatic change, biodiversity loss, and depletions in natural resources, this poses a threat to humanity.

, physical health is defined as a healthy organism capable of maintaining physiological fitness through protective or adaptive responses during changing circumstances

It has the ability to both determine as well as be determined by a host of multifaceted health and social factors being inextricably linked to overall health, inclusive of diet, exercise, and environmental conditions. As a result, there are no single definitive indicators used to capture its overall measurement.

Empirical research in this domain was first carried out by Ulrich (46) who found that those hospital patients exposed to natural scenery from a window view experienced decreased levels of pain and shorter recovery time after surgery.

Much of its research within the Evolutionary Psychology discipline examines the recuperative effects of nature on well-being and its beneficial properties following researcher’s arguments of humanity’s affiliation for nature

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Which Patterns I Will Focus on

Of the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, the ones that relate the most to my chosen Hannover Principle are: Visual Connections with Nature, Non-Visual Connections with Nature, Biomorphic Forms and Patterns, and Connections with Natural Systems.

Both visual and non visual connections to nature are important as they both provide similar experiences, yet through nearly opposite ways. Being in the physical presence, or being able to view nature and natural materials improves cognitive functions, however it is equally important to be either independently or simultaneously stimulated by non visual connections. In certain situations it may only be feasible for non visual connections such as an office workspace, or industrial areas. This puts an emphasis on the relationship between humanity and nature and the importance of their co-existence as it not only benefits us, but can be used to benefit nature too.

Biomorphic Forms and Patterns is important in modern (and prior) design as it alludes to shapes, ideas, and emotions that nature presents us with. Through use of simple design techniques and natural patterns we are able to create a visually pleasing, and much more positive environment. Even man made connections with nature trigger hormones and emotions that raise out cognitive awareness and attention.

Connections with Natural systems is arguably one of the most important design patterns to follow. Staying connected our surroundings and researching the ways they work and how they are affected. Ultimately humanity is a natural system, so it is illogical to not consider ourselves a part of one large natural system (comprised of many smaller systems).

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Week 3

Highlights from Terrapin Bright Green’s 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design:

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design:

Biophilia is humankind’s innate biological connection with nature.

The consistency of natural themes in historic structures and places suggests that biophilic design is not a new phenomenon; rather, as a field of applied science, it is the codification of history, human intuition and neural sciences showing that connections with nature are vital to maintaining a healthful and vibrant existence as an urban species.

American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted argued in 1865, that “…the enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it, tranquilizes it and yet enlivens it; and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body, gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigoration to the whole system” (2. Olmsted, 1865 ).

So while golf courses and suburban lawns may be a savanna analogue, in many cases they require intense inputs of water and fertilizer and thus are unfortunately unsustainable design practices.

Nature in the Space encompasses seven biophilic design patterns:

Visual Connection with Nature. A view to elements of nature, living systems and natural processes.

Non-Visual Connection with Nature. Auditory, haptic, olfactory, or gustatory stimuli that engender a deliberate and positive reference to nature, living systems or natural processes.

Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli. Stochastic and ephemeral connections with nature that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely.

Thermal & Airflow Variability. Subtle changes in air temperature, relative humidity, airflow across the skin, and surface temperatures that mimic natural environments.

Presence of Water. A condition that enhances the experience of a place through seeing, hearing or touching water.

Dynamic & Diffuse Light. Leverages varying intensities of light and shadow that change over time to create conditions that occur in nature.

Connection with Natural Systems. Awareness of natural processes, especially seasonal and temporal changes characteristic of a healthy ecosystem.

Natural Analogues encompasses three patterns of biophilic design:

Biomorphic Forms & Patterns. Symbolic references to contoured, patterned, textured or numerical arrangements that persist in nature.

Material Connection with Nature. Materials and elements from nature that, through minimal processing, reflect the local ecology or geology and create a distinct sense of place.

Complexity & Order. Rich sensory information that adheres to a spatial hierarchy similar to those encountered in nature.

Nature of the Space encompasses four biophilic design patterns:

Prospect. An unimpeded view over a distance, for surveillance and planning.

Refuge. A place for withdrawal from environmental conditions or the main flow of activity, in which the individual is protected from behind and overhead.

Mystery. The promise of more information, achieved through partially obscured views or other sensory devices that entice the individual to travel deeper into the environment.

Risk/Peril. An identifiable threat coupled with a reliable safeguard.

Much of the evidence for biophilia can be linked to research in one or more of three overarching mind-body systems – cognitive, psychological and physiological

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Terrapin Bright Green

Areas of interest from Terrapin Bright Green’s website are Biodiversity, and Health and Wellbeing.

Terrapin seek to improve biodiversity in our ecosystem through means of thorough research of our surrounding space, and spaces on earth that aren’t as close to us. This process helps encourage ecological restoration where applicable.

Terrapin also look into the health and wellbeing of people and our environment in our daily lives. They aim to make improvements in facilities and knowledge readily accessible to psychologists, scientists, designer and investors. This allows them to dig deeper into what makes humans work the way we do, and how we could improve our mental health, and physical wellbeing.

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Biophillia

Humans like little habitats

Dopamine released

Walks with pets and nature have healing powers

Since 1850 it’s been believed that nature has healing powers, “…believed that the beautiful setting…restored patients to a more natural balance of the senses”

How might I employ this concept into my own research?

These examples of biomimicry provide proof that humans can learn many useful things if we were to direct our studies on our environment. Through living harmonically with nature we can truly achieve a higher level of living. To employ this kind of thinking into my own practices I might create some visual representations influenced by natural patterns to attack certain issues. It is important to note how (other than the Tool song) the examples all show us how animals adapt and work together to overcome problems. We can take away the underlying ideas and methods that the animals have used. Studying how different species work and overcome problems via means of evolution makes a lot of sense since they’re masters of their practice.

Keywords for searches:

Biophillia

Biomimcry

Fibonacci

Co-exist

Relationship

Interspecies relationship

Sustainability

Dependency

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Biomimicry doesn’t always have to only focus on advancing the technical and scientific side of life, it has also been used to create art and design. Tool, a metal band formed in the 90’s, created the song ‘Lateralus’ entirely based on use of the fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci sequence is a sequence where each number is the sum of the preceding numbers, which makes up the more commonly known idea ‘The Golden Ratio’. The golden ratio is often found in natural patterns such as ferns, the inside pattern of a shell, flower centres, etc. What’s really interesting about Lateralus is that the most obvious examples of the Fibonacci sequence are usually visual, however Tool used the sequence in a musical manner. Maynard (Tool’s frontman) wrote the lyrics in a way which reflects the sequence through the syllables of each line. The first  verse starts: Black, (1) Then, (1)

White Are, (2) All I see, (3) In my infancy, (5)

Red and Yellow then came to be, (8)

Reaching out to me, (5)

Lets me see, (3)

As the song progresses the process of climbing up and down the sequence repeats itself. There is much more to this example, however another interesting facts about the song is how Maynard’s vocals begin at 1 minute and 37 seconds, equating to 1.618 minutes, which is effectively the number that the golden ratio provides in a literal sense. Each verse lasts for 55 seconds which is yet again an influence from the sequence. The song also shifts through time signatures of 9/8 8/8 7/8 which adds up to the 16th number of the sequence. Almost every numerical value in the song is intended to have some for connection to it, which overall comes together to form a pretty great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI63B3cY7q0&t=27s Source

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZEx1NVqwfk Sauce

(you should listen to Tool they’re really good and have some great ideas in relation to our planet and existence)

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Another example of life forms being studied to create a more sound structure is the engineering firm Arup designing an entire shopping complex, replicating shapes and convection currents found in termite mounds to build Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe. Even in the middle of a scorching hot desert, termites manage to keep their mounds cool enough for survival. They achieve this by carefully opening and closing air pockets and passageways that allow for maximum airflow and pushes the hot air through. The hot air is guided through the intricate airways until it reaches the central chimney, where the hot air rises out and cool air sinks down below, comforting the mites. Eastgate mimics this with use of convection currents to regulate air temperature. The centre consists of two large buildings with an open, glass covered area in between. The open area constantly allows air to be sucked in via fans on the bottom floor, and pushed through the vertical section of ducts. Like the mounds, this effectively regulates the temps and uses 10% less energy than conventional buildings of its size.

https://inhabitat.com/building-modelled-on-termites-eastgate-centre-in-zimbabwe/

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Booming noises aren’t the only issue that comes with build up and changes in air pressure, the structural integrity of the tunnels or buildings are weakened too. Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners worked on designing the Waterloo International Terminal in such a way that constantly changing air pressures and volumes didn’t negatively affect the facility, meaning trains could flow through easily. Designers again looked at how years of evolution had handled this problem, and the solution is thanks the pangolins. Pangolins are similar to armadillos in their tendency to curl up, and are often referred to as spiny anteaters. Pangolins are covered in small shield like scales that when curled up overlap one another, and are able to also fully extend. Although they do not have to adapt to changing internal air pressures, they are known to be very flexible and the team decided it was necessary to create a structure that could move freely. The outer panels of the building were connected at only one hinging point, which allowed for them to move with the wind, and ever so slightly follow similar motion to that or a snake or pangolin’s scales upon curling.

https://grimshaw.global/projects/international-terminal-waterloo/

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A very famous and good example of this is the way in which Japanese physicist, designers, and engineers created the Bullet Train. Originally the trains were shaped like a bullet which proved effective in terms of aerodynamics, however often caused a large booming sound when exiting tunnels and such. This was caused by shape of the front of the train as it was literally in the form of a bullet. To combat this, designers studied how the Kingfisher bird dove into the water. This lead to a reformed front carriage design, now replicating the long beak of the bird, which aids the windflow, minimizing the booming sound, and conserving up to 15% of the energy used in powering the train.

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Week 2, Bio-mimicry

Biomimicry is the study and practice of replicating patterns and ideas found in nature.

Bio - studies of natural science, and living organisms. Mimicry - mimicking something or someone in physical appearance, structure, or behaviour.

1. Since the beginning of time, nature has been able to evolve, adapt and overcome. Nature manages to exercise the processes with ease, precision, and in a graceful manner. Biomimicry looks into what makes these processes so smooth and how nature overcomes issues. It is not simply to make advancements in technology, but can is also used in the design world as the two often go hand in hand. Looking at it from a scientific point of view, biomimicry is helpful in expanding knowledge in nearly every field. An example of this is mimicking photosynthesis via solar power, or studying the aerodynamics of certain animals/organisms. Designers might look more at the aesthetics that nature provides, the most common example would be what’s known as the golden ratio; a spiralling pattern relative to the fibonacci sequence (ex. ferns).

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Hannover Principle

Insist on the right of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition.

This principle responds to the issue humans now face with the world and the state we have put it in. Ideally this would mean we wouldn’t be harming each other, animals, organisms our surroundings and nature in general. We would live equally and care for the land as it provides for us. We would stop the exploitation our finite resources and look for a better alternative.

I have decided to use this principle has the primary focus of the second assignment. I chose this because the relationship between humans, animals and Earth and the effects they have on eachother is an interest of mine. I feel as though this principle would also have a lot in common with the third Hannover principle “Respect the relationship between spirit and matter.

Examples:

Tree planting and protection foundations support this principle.

Protection of endangered species is something humanity offers in a way to insist on the co-existence. Certain species may not survive without human intervention (although so probably wouldn’t have been endangered in the first place).