Soft living architecture : an alternative view of bio-informed practice / Rachel Armstrong.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Armstrong, Rachel, 1966- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Architecture and biology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

New York : Bloomsbury Academic, An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2018.

Summary:

"Soft Living Architecture explores the invention of new architectures based on living processes. It crafts a unique intersection between two fast-developing disciplines: biomimicry and biodesign in architecture, and bioinformatics and natural computing in the natural sciences. This is the first book to examine both the theory and methodology of architecture and design working directly with the natural world. It explores a range of approaches from the use of life-like systems in building design to the employment of actual growing and living cell and tissue cultures as architectural materials - creating architecture that can change, learn and grow with us. The use of 'living architecture' is cutting-edge and speculative, yet it is also inspiring a growing number of designers worldwide to adopt alternative perspectives on sustainability and environmental design. The book examines the ethical and theoretical issues arising alongside case-studies of experimental practice, to explore what we mean by 'natural' in the Anthropocene, and raise deep questions about the nature of design and the design of nature. This provocative and at times controversial book shows why it will become ever more necessary to embrace living processes in architecture if we are to thrive in a sustainable future."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

Contents:

PART I: THEORY

1. The nature of nature

2. Experimental architecture

3. Natural computing in practice

4. Aesthetics, ethics and values

PART II: PRACTICE

5. Architectural experiments - an exposé of method

6. Projects

7. Designing nature

References

Index.

Notes:

Compliant with Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Content is displayed as HTML full text which can easily be resized or read with assistive technology, with mark-up that allows screen readers and keyboard-only users to navigate easily.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781350011342

1350011347

9781350011366

1350011363

9781350011335

1350011339

OCLC:

1051003364