PASKUQAN PROJECT

The lotus flower

The lotus flower is the natural concept chosen for biomimicry, the intention is to mimic the flower, not in terms of form, but rather the mechanisms and behaviour including reactions to light, thermal insulation, response to different atmospheres around it and the way it provides itself with energy to survive.

The first and most significant behaviour of the lotus that can be an inspiration is the mechanism for opening and closing depending on the amount of daylight supplied around the plant.

Another interesting and minimal approach we can learn from this flower is the way it nourishes itself by turning the water it absorbs into the glucose necessary for it to live. This is through photosynthesis, which is inspiration enough for selfsufficiency in natural beings and the way they depend on their own capabilities to produce their own power and consume it in silent grace.

Another lesson learnt from the structure of this plant is the self-shading technique that the higher leaves provide for the flower. That is to ensure that it is kept safe and protected from harsh solar lighting and that the seed pod stays secure until it ripens.

CASE STUDY 1

Mega Foodwalk Landscape / Landscape Collaboration

·  Architects

Landscape Collaboration

·  Location

Megabangna 39 Moo 6 Bangna-Trad Rd., Km.8 Bangkaew, Bangplee, Samutprakarn, 10540 Thailand

·  Lead Designer

Somkiet (Boyd) Chokvijitkul

·  Project Team

Pavin Banternghansa, Priyanuch Sreechan, Hattapon Ninpech, Weerachat Mangiew, Thodsaphum Kaimek

·  Lead Architect

FOS Co., Ltd.

·  Area

58000.0 m2

·  Project Year

2018

Mega Food Walk is an extended semi-outdoor expansion zone at Mega Bangna. The microclimate within Mega Food walk is controlled by the integration of landscape design and innovative engineering, resulting in a waterscape that is a successful catalyst of activities where adults can enjoy the atmosphere while children line up for interactive water features.

The water features are also used as a cooling system by circulating cold water generated from solar-powered chillers. The cool water flows along various features in the landscape, as the changing physical form of meandering flows, ripples, and cascades of water deliver unique forms of water splash and an evaporative cooling effect at each bend. As a result, the microclimate is adjusted to an ideal human comfort zone while also providing added moisture for plants to grow.

An integrated cooling system provides additional benefits to the space by controlling the humidity and temperature at an ideal temperature for the growth of a soft scenery inspired by the Scandinavian forests of Småland, Sweden. The projected 'forest' uses softscape palette of plants indigenous to a sub-tropical climate, including finely textured ferns and moss, to create a unique commercial landscape that blends the surrounding restaurants with natural greenery. User-based landscape design creates a new way to experience both landscape and shops that are located on different levels. The lower level is dropped to create a sunken plaza space for various events.

CASE STUDY 2

The Bird’s Nest – with its unique outer casing of tangled steel girders is one of the key landmarks of the Games.

Capacity: 80000

5 years to construct

Designer:Herzog & DeMeuron(Swiss),

China Architecture Design Institute, ArupSport

Nature fits form to function

Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, China is inspired by a Bird’s nest.

This movement is known as biomimicry; “a new science that studies nature’s models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems.”

•Olympic Stadium draws directly from nature, as elements of the bird nest are exposed as its major aesthetic motif,

     with little material wasted to disguise the structure.

•In keeping with the bird’s nest analogy, the façade is in-filled with translucent ETFE panels.

•The ETFE panels serve to protect spectators from the elements and provide acoustic insulation, while allowing sunlight to filter through to feed the natural grass field.

•Furthermore, the panels are lighter than either glass or aluminium panels would be, reducing the dead load supported by the roof.

•The panels are also self-cleaning and durable, reducing costly maintenance. Openings in the façade allow natural ventilation as air filters through the public concourse, into the stadium, and eventually vents through the central opening in the roof structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the National Olympic stadium in Beijing is an innovative building in terms of its design

and the way it functions through its use of biomimicry. There is a hope and likelihood that this building

known as the “birds nest” will influence future buildings (especially stadia) to exploit biomimicry to

create safer, healthier, economically and environmentally responsible structures.