November 2013

Biornametics presented in "out of the box - 10 Questions about Artistic Research"

Exhibition 29 November 2013 - 5 January 2014, MAK , Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna

An Exhibition of the University of Applied Arts Vienna

What do artistic researchers actually do? With this question as its departure point, the exhibition Out of the Box presents a broad spectrum of recent research practices in which knowledge is produced through artistic approaches. Snapshots from ten international research projects of the University of Applied Arts Vienna are featured, which break open the borders between art and science. These projects were supported in the framework of the Austrian Science Fund’s PEEK Program for Arts-based Research.

In these projects the artists practise new forms of collaboration together with experts from different disciplines. They enter into an open-ended process, which often determines their strategies and methods. In this way, they generate new forms of research and alternative models of thinking and knowledge. The concrete practice of artistic research becomes visible and tangible in the exhibition.

Ocotber 2013

Biomimetic strategies for innovation and sustainable development

Gruber P., Benti D.: Biomimetic strategies for innovation and sustainable development
in: Sustainable Building 2013, Democratic transition and sustainable communities, Overcoming challenges through innovative practical solutions, Conference Proceedings, Cairo, 6.-7.11.2013, pp. 578-590
Shaker Verlag Aachen, 2013

March 2013

Join us Monday, March 18th, 6 pm
at the Lichthof, University of Applied Arts
Oskar-Kokoschka-Platz 2
1010 Vienna, Austria

What is the Architect doing in the Jungle? Biornametics.
Barbara Imhof, Petra Gruber (eds.)

Book Presentation, March 18th, 2013

18.00 Welcome
Rektor Dr. Gerald Bast, Universität für Angewandte Kunst
David Marold, Springer Verlag

Introduction to What is the architect doing in the jungle? Biornametics.
Editors: Dr. Barbara Imhof, Dr. Petra Gruber

18.20 Panel introducing the follow-up project GrAB – Growing as Building
GrAB takes growth patterns and dynamics from nature and applies them to architecture with the goal of creating a new living architecture.

Panelists:
Prof. Julian Vincent, University of Bath, UK
AProf. Reiner Zettl, Institute of Architecture, University of Applied Arts, A
Dr. Barbara Imhof, LIQUIFER Systems Group, A
Visiting Prof. Petra Gruber, EiABC Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Addis Ababa University, ET
MMag. Dominika Glogowski, artEC/Oindustry, A (moderator)

19.15 Get together, drinks

Books will be for sale at the event.
Editors and authors will be present at the event.

What is the Architect doing in the Jungle? Biornametics.
Barbara Imhof, Petra Gruber (eds.)

How can architects and natural scientists collaborate in a fruitful dialogue that generates new insights for cross-disciplinary innovation? The book contributes to the current discussion of arts-based research by taking the example of the interdisciplinary research project BIORNAMETICS – Architecture Defined By Natural Patterns. Biornametics is an emerging contemporary design practice that explores a new methodology that interconnects scientific evidence and creative design in the field of architecture. The word biornametics is generated from “ornament”, referring to the famous Austrian architect Adolf Loos, and “biomimetics”. It is concerned with the detection of the principles behind processes of emerging and dissolving patterns in animate and inanimate nature. Reflections on the architectural direction of Biornametics, instances of the collaboration of arts and science and the application of the methodology show a diverse world of thoughts and approaches to the theme.

Springer, Series: Edition Angewandte, ISBN 978-3-7091-1528-2, January 2013

March 2013

Presentation of Biornametics at ecm - educating/curating/managing
Seminar in the Master Course at the University of Applied Arts,Vvienna
8.3.2013, 10.0 - 13.00, HS 2

December 2012

OUT to ORDER NOW!

What is the architect doing in the Jungle? Biornametics.
Barbara Imhof, Petra Gruber (eds.)

What is the architect doing in the jungle?
How can architects and natural scientists immerge into a fruitful dialogue to generate new insights for cross-disciplinary innovation?

The book contributes to the current discussion of arts-based research taking the example of the interdisciplinary research project BIORNAMETICS – Architecture Defined By Natural Patterns. Biornametics is an emerging contemporary design practice that explores a new methodology to interconnect scientific evidence with creative design in the field of architecture. The word biornametics is generated from “ornament”, referring to the famous Austrian architect Adolf Loos, and “biomimetics”. It is concerned with the detection of the principles behind processes of emerging and dissolving patterns in animate and inanimate nature. Reflections on the architectural direction of Biornametics, issues of arts and science collaboration, and the application of the methodology show a diverse world of thoughts and approaches to the theme.

Springer, Series: Edition Angewandte, ISBN 978-3-7091-1528-2, January 2013

December 2012

¡Follow-up project won!
Out of 55 submissions 6 projects were selected to be funded by the FWF - Austrian Science Fund, PEEK - programme.

One selected research project is GrAB at the University of Applied Arts >

GrAB - Growing As Building

“GrAB - Growing As Building” takes growth patterns and dynamics from nature and applies them to architecture with the goal of creating a new living architecture.

The aim of the project GrAB is to develop architectural concepts for growing structures. Three main directions will be investigated: transfer of abstracted growth principles from nature to architecture, integration of biology into material systems and intervention of biological organisms and concepts with existing architecture. Key issues of investigation will be mechanisms of genetically-controlled and environmentally-informed, self-organised growth in organisms and the differentiation of tissues and materials. Research parameters will include for example size, height, speed and properties like the stiffness or flexibility of structures, which are equally important in living systems and in architecture.

The methodology of biomimetic information transfer used will be based on refined methods from previous projects like "Biornametics". Computer simulations re-modelling relevant principles and physical models will be used to understand selected natural phenomena and inform the translation process. Artistic and architectural tools and methods will be jointly used with practices from the natural sciences. A Biolab will provide hands-on experience with growth of organisms.

The architectural interest lies in the development of structures in a specific environment following an interaction of elements derived from natural pattern formation. To support the transfer of dynamic, growing structures recent advancements in processing technologies like additive manufacturing systems will be looked at and possibly integrated into design concepts and both analogue and digital models. Scales tackled can include materials (also nanoscale), built elements and structures and urban systems.
Apart from architects and artists, scientists from the field of biology, biomimetics and engineering including students will collaborate to develop this project in a holistic way and to supply all the necessary expertise.

November 2012

Sustainability through Biomimicry

The conference "Sustainability through Biomimicry" was held in Dammam, Saudi-Arabia from 26.-27.11.2012
Numerous researchers and lecturers working in different fields of bioinspired designs presented their projects, mostly university-based design programs that explore the use of models from living and non-living nature. Keynotes included for example Taryn Mead (Biomimicry group US), Michael Pawlyn (explorationarchitecture, UK) and Ille Gebeshuber (University Kebangsaan Malaysia).

The project BIORNAMETICS got selected for the conference and was presented by Petra Gruber.

August 2012
Biornametics – Architecture defined by Natural Patterns – is an emerging contemporary design practice that explores a new methodology to interconnect scientific evidence with creative design in the field of architecture.

DEFINED IN
Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology, Bhushan, Bharat (Ed.) Volume 1, 0-9-E, Springer, Wien, 2012, XLIX, 2868 p.
OUT NOW

Comprehensive multi-discipline Major Reference Work on the important research topic of Nanotechnology
- Contributors from Academia and Industry
- Leading international persons included in the Editorial Board
- Excellent reference provided in electronic and print formats
- The Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology provides a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary reference to the many fields relevant to the general field of nanotechnology. It aims to be a comprehensive and genuinely international reference work and will be aimed at graduate students, researchers, and practitioners.

26. – 28. November 2012
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH BIOMIMICRY - Discovering a World of Solutions Inspired by nature, Dammam University, College of Design, Saudi Arabia
Presentation: “Sustainable Biomimetics In Architecture- Lessons from Attenborough, Loos and Biornametics”- Paper by I. C. Gebeshuber, P. Gruber, B.Imhof, accepted for publication 2012

4. – 5. November 2011, Academy of Fine Arts,Vienna
Input talk: Biornametics - Künstlerische Erforschung der Natur und ihre Anwendung in der Architektur
at the symposium
Wieviel Wissenschaft bekommt der Kunst?
Symposium der ARGE „Wissenschaft und Kunst“ der Österreichischen Forschungsgemeinschaft (Austrian Research Association)

June 1st/2nd 2010 Workshop Biornametics - University of Applied Arts