I would like to investigate how infrastructure and architecture can be incorporated into nature. Planet Earth has sustained itself for billions of years, yet man-made buildings and structures are lucky to last more than 100 years.

How can we as designers learn from Earth’s examples to create sustainable systems that connect to the way natural systems work?

We naturally learn from what is around us, but now we must train ourselves to look deeper to derive the inspiration that is all around. Once we have realized nature’s inspiration we may apply these concepts for true innovation. For example the invention of Velcro was inspired by burrs sticking to socks. The Eiffel tower was designed by referencing the structure of the human femur. By combining nature-inspired concepts with modern technology and practice, designers can create sustainably responsive systems for infrastructure innovation.

The first step in this process is to find a focus for my query. I have been fascinated with the ocean for my whole life, so it seemed like an appropriate place for me to derive inspiration. The ocean, although underwater, contains plants and animals. These organisms all need some method to breathe (either air or water), protect themselves, and intake food or energy. The organism I decided on was the sea sponge.

Sea Sponge

The sea sponge is an interesting specimen because the shapes of their bodies are adapted to maximize water flow which they use to obtain oxygen and food and also to remove waste.

Waterfront type sites may be well suited to take cues from the sea sponge in terms of how it meets the ground. Water filtration systems can also be devised by looking at the porous nature of the sea sponge. The way sea sponges create separate chimney structures for optimizing water flow can also be applied to  high density urban housing typologies in terms of building vertically.

A coral reef is home to many sea sponges, and just like housing, cities and districts contain more than just one typology. This is just one example of many for a metaphor for a coral reef as EcoDistrict, and within that, a sea sponge as vertical housing.

Throughout this year I am looking forward to being inspired by the organisms around me and learn from the planet, so that I may more properly design for the planet.