Organic Design Process for Sustainable Architecture :Organic Design Process for Sustainable Architecture Sabu Francis B.Arch (Hons) Jan 12, 2009


Goal :Goal Design architecture with the following objectives: preserve the resources of the earth retain all design objectives embrace the future gracefully accommodate multiple points of view contribute to the new complex world


What is the best design? :What is the best design? “No design” Let nature take its course!


Hmm... next best? :Hmm... next best? Next best is to put in man-made interventions hesitatingly, after careful thought


Mesa-Verde :Mesa-Verde


Designing for the Sun :Designing for the Sun


Minimal impact on “Gaia” :Minimal impact on “Gaia” The earth is a “super-organism” that embraces many life-forms living harmoniously Each life-form has its own structure that integrates well with the mother-earth and will not deplete her resources Structure need not be just physical. Even social, psychological, political and economic structures The human life-form unfortunately brings in structures which; when ill-thought, impacts adversely on the “Gaia”


Why is organic design important? :Why is organic design important? Sustainability is an important objective Take the example of embodied energy issues. If we do not understand it, we are going to run out of energy and pollute the planet even more


Understanding “disembodied” :Understanding “disembodied” When architects design, we tend to think the impact of each element as if they are not connected with any larger set of issues In fact, we are often taught to handle one design element at a time Which may be alright, as long as we tie them together holistically and not just between themselves ...but also we need to tie each design element to issues such as its impact on Gaia


What is embodied energy? :What is embodied energy? Lithistone has low embodied energy. All products have an embodied energy factor. It accounts for all of the energy needed to create a product from its natural state, through production, transportation, and installation. Portland cement products have a very high embodied energy factor, while Lithistone has a low embodied energy factor. In short, it takes far less power and fuel to make a Lithistone sink, than it does to make a concrete or porcelain sink. http://www.lithistone.net/ecology.php


Organic Architecture :Organic Architecture "So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no 'traditions' essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but—instead—exalting the simple laws of common sense—or of super-sense if you prefer—determining form by way of the nature of materials..." … Frank Lloyd Wright


What Organic architecture is not! :What Organic architecture is not! It is not wavy lines, curvilinear forms or a superficial visual imitation of nature! If some architecture grown out of an organic process do display curvy forms, it is all because of the organic design process and not because of pre-conceived notions of what the looks of the final designed form should be


How do we get organic architecture? :How do we get organic architecture? Out of an organic design process! The way an organism is created: Each part is related to the whole in some convincing, holistic manner The form should be a result of the examination of how this “organism” evolves If the “form” is part of the “function” then you will see that also play its part. Else form may be inconsequential


An organic design ...(David Pearson) :An organic design ...(David Pearson) be inspired by nature and be sustainable, healthy, conserving, and diverse unfold, like an organism, from the seed within exist in the "continuous present" and "begin again and again" follow the flows and be flexible and adaptable satisfy social, physical, and spiritual needs "grow out of the site" and be unique celebrate the spirit of youth, play and surprise express the rhythm of music and the power of dance


Little Flower Church :Little Flower Church


Church celebrations :Church celebrations


Cochin Fishing Nets :Cochin Fishing Nets


Hyperbolic-Paraboloid :Hyperbolic-Paraboloid


Hypar shell (single) :Hypar shell (single)


Multiple Hypar :Multiple Hypar


Multiple-Hypar :Multiple-Hypar


Church hypars :Church hypars


Church hypars :Church hypars


Hypars inside view :Hypars inside view


Organic Design Process :Organic Design Process Understand the site Understand the climate Understand the users Each individual user has multiple user roles All issues of user groups e.g. sociology, psychology, economics, philosophy … have repercussions in use of space


Iteratively work with design cycles :Iteratively work with design cycles Hesitatingly; very hesitatingly indeed, work out a design. Remember: Minimal intervention! Check if all your understanding of site, climate and users fits together holistically Checking means doing all the objective assessments Objectivity means getting reality-checks from others on what you may have concluded Dismantle the design without hesitation if they do not agree and you are obliged to start all over again That is how you do just ONE design cycle


Be a potter, not a digger :Be a potter, not a digger


Ensure design cycles are speedy! :Ensure design cycles are speedy! If the potter's wheel is spinning slowly you will get a sloppy pot Similarly, if you dwell too much time on one design cycle you will surely get a terrible design in that design cycle... Sometimes designers think that one has to “lovingly” get a design into place by spending lot of time in the same design cycle That is just rumination, not designing!


So how does the design cycles stop? :So how does the design cycles stop? It doesn't! After each design cycle you need to move quickly to the next...where you either change the design or get into more details if your assessments determine that you are on the right track Designing is made to stop in your architectural office only due to external factors Actually, the design cycles continues organically forever whether the architect likes it or not


Architectural Practice in Navi Mumbai :Architectural Practice in Navi Mumbai How many design cycles can architects afford to iterate in Navi Mumbai? My experience: Barely one Hence I am Working on design theories first and get all “fundas” together Working on design software that can allow me to spin the “potter's wheel” quickly


Conclusions :Conclusions Organic design process allows one to “grow” a design organically and respects the practical issues of running a design firm Organic design process could; if implemented correctly, lead to sustainable architecture However, one needs to be critical and objective at each design cycle and not ruminate Speed is of essence in each design cycle. In this complex world, hi-tech is unavoidable


Thank you! :Thank you! Questions please!