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PROJECT RECOMBINANT
an inquiry between
biotechnology - architecture - materials science
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this project was sponsored by Kale
The primary goal of the project is to render a solution for the future which is based purely on scientific theory and experimentations orchestrated with the opportunities of today.
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By turning a geopolymer foam material (a patented Kale material) into a living tissue, a proposal is made for the future of architecture, construction techniques and sustainable living.
Creative Collaboration Between
Kale + PIN Architects + Individual Researchers
KALE TEAM; ERDEM GUNSUR, YILDIZ YILDIRIM, EDA CIDAMAL
PIN ARCHITECTS TEAM; SALIH KUCUKTUNA, FIKRET SUNGAY, MERT SEZER, EKIN ARSLAN
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS RESEARCH TEAM; HANDE MUMCU, OZNUR PEHLIVAN
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eVolo 2019
SKYSCRAPER COMPETITION WINNER
Honorable Mention
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The proposed solution is a suggestion towards transforming existing concrete structures rather than building new ones
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A novel bio-chemical pathway and methodology is theorized through scientific observations and experimentations to convert existing concrete structures into natural habitats which are able to regulate and re-organize their systems, respond and adapt to their environment and endure by evolving
this project was published on;
A Brief Look at The Proposal
A Scientific Theory & Inquiry at the Intersection of
Material Science - Molecular Biology - Additive Manufacturing
PHASE I
Idea Generation & Overview
major socio-economic factors shaping the living conditions of the masses were issued during the early idea generation phase of the project
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contemporary building technologies / habits and the driving factors behind them were investigated
alongside with their affects on their human inhabitants, the surrounding environment and the global economy
PHASE II
Focuses & ınquiries
UN Sustainable Development Goals
(set by the United Nations General Assembly in order to provide a shared blueprint for a sustaiable future)
were investigated and 4 of them were focused on
Focused Problem
Un-sustainable / Irresponsible / Rapid & Vertical Concrete Urbanization
concrete
is one of the most widely used construction materials world wide
because of its high compressive strength & endurance
fast & easy application techniques
low price
concrete is one of the primary reasons for
uncontrolled
unsustainable
rapid urbanization
PHASE III
Biological Systems Research
certain symbiotic and mutualist biological systems and organisms,
the relationship between such organisms and their natural environments,
structural organization of such symbiotic organisms & systems,
were thoroughly investigated
Focused Case of Symbiosis
Lichens
A lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship
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Everything in the lichen’s environment is absorbed into the lichen's structure
Lichens get their water and nutrients from their surrounding environment via air and rain
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SEM image of the cortex of lichen Xanthoria flammea​
SEM image of the medulla (fungal network) and the algal layer of lichen Xanthoria flammea​
SEM image of the cortex, medulla (fungal network) and the photobiont algal layer of lichen Xanthoria flammea​
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Cyanobacteria can be observed as green beans
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SEM images indicating lichen attachment to various substrates*
emphasizing how the attached organism changes the substrate chemically & physically
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* Longo, Elson & Turci, Francesco & Tomatis, Maura & Castelli, Daniele & Bonfante, Paola & Hochella, Michael & Piervittori, Rosanna & Fubini, Bice. (2005). Chrysotile asbestos is progressively converted into a non-fibrous amorphous material by the chelating action of lichen metabolites. Journal of environmental monitoring : JEM. 7. 764-6. 10.1039/b507569f.
Potential Solution
Sustainable / Breathing / Novel Material
Kale Geopolymer Foam
Kale Geopolymer Foam
is a novel and patented material
produced from industrial wastes such as fly ash
with unique physical & chemical attributes
which allow the material to breathe
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Material Formation Phases
LIQUID
BATCH
VOLUME EXPANSION
SOLID
BODY
triggered chemical reaction
curing
PHASE IV
Overall Theory & Proposals
complete genome of the donor
Sulfurihydrogenibium azorense
complete genome of the host
Bacillus subtilis
PHASE V
Experimentations & Inquiries
recombinant DNA technology
complete genome of the donor
Sulfurihydrogenibium azorense
location of the gene SULAZ_0541
responsible for carbonic anhydrase enzyme secretion
is shown with a red dot
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expression vector specifically designed for the transfer of the gene SULAZ_0541 (indicated with the red section)
to the host organism
nucleic acid sequence showing the corresponding gene on the expression vector below;
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A: Adenine T:Thymine G:Guanine C:Cytosin
cultivation of the host bacteria
Bacillus subtilis
on LB agar
visible grown colonies on the petri dish
PHASE VI
Material Experiements
from material science to tissue engineering
result of the porosity experiments:
same composition
higher porosity
higher water absorption capacity
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result of the porosity experiments:
same composition
lower porosity
higher durability
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relationship between concrete & the geopolymer:
strong adhesion is observed between the two materials without the need for an adhesive
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Concrete Substrate (Middle Prism) /
Geopolymer (Surrounding Blob Structure)
moulding & morphogenesis experimentations:
the triggered chemical reaction expands the liquid geopolymer 4 times in volume and solidifies it - forming irrational & amorphous structures suitable for moulding
Proposed
Reaction Cycles of the Material
(biological - chemical - ecological)
within itself and with its surrounding environment
PHASE VII
Architectural Inquiries & Design Processes
re-interpreting biological systems
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1/8
scaled 3D prints of parametric iterations:
morphogenesis of the structure
The Idea of Attaching to a Substrate
surrounding & evolving existing concrete structures
Main Structure: In-situ printed Bio-Geopolymer with lower porosity / higher tensile strength
Existing Building: Surrounded by printed & pre-cast bio-geopolymer
Blobs: Pre-Cast Bio-Geopolymer stories / modules with higher porosity / lower mass
Blobs: Pre-Cast Bio-Geopolymer stories / modules with higher porosity / lower mass
Main Structure: In-situ printed Bio-Geopolymer with lower porosity / higher tensile strength
early sketches of the side views
blobs and amorphous interpretations on the outer shell
early perspective sketches
targeted concrete structres on central London as the substrates
and their interpretations / evolution into living systems
final formation process sketches
existing structure surrounded by the bio-geopolymer tissue
new stories are constructed according to the existing buildings construction
Proposed Construction Methodology
Reuse - Repair - Resilience
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the proposed construction process mainly includes
recycling existing materials
In-situ 3D printing of the bio-geopolymer
construction & application of modular pre-cast bio-geopolymer stories
and cross pollination / vegatation
STEP I
existing facade of the structure is dismantled and recyled,
exposing the concrete skeleton of the structure
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STEP II
the liquid bio-geopolymer is printed on the exposed concrete structure, triggering the bio-chemical reaction during extrusion
(micro-capsule cracking via nozzle pressure)
starting the steady process of turning concrete into calcite
STEP III
pre-cast modular stories / pods made from the same bio-geopolymer are moved into place and living spaces are formed
STEP IV
letting nature do the rest;
cross-pollination and vegetation on the living / breathing structure
eventually becoming a living part of the natural environment
Contact
"You never change things by fighting against the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete."
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Buckminster Fuller
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