Workshop:

Workshop: Biomimicry

what would nature do?

10 Feb 2017

Practice how you can be nature’s apprentice by resolving a design challenge with the help of nature. Many plants, bacteria, animals and fungi have equipped themselves with spectacular features. The lotus leaf, for instance, has a water repellant surface, whilst spider silk is said to outperform steel. How can you incorporate nature’s own innovations within your designs, idea’s and artworks? Together with Phd Candidate Laura Stevens (US) we’ll discuss different examples from the field and work together to design our own, nature-based solutions.

Tickets / Facebook

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Dress by Iris van Herpen - Image taken by Wim Hoppenbrouwers taken at Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Rotterdam. anaglyph red/cyan Dress by Iris van Herpen

With:
Laura Stevens

Ask yourself, what would nature do!

Self-healing abilities, environmental exposure tolerance or repelling bacteria, nature has provided us with solutions to all kinds of engineering problems. In fact, organisms have been developing solutions that have allowed them to live on this planet for billions of years. Whenever you seek answers, you can ask yourself: how would nature solve this? Chances are that some organism has already found a solution for the problem that you are trying to solve.

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Resonating spaces - Through the study of the analogy between forms and patterns of sound and of nature, we are conducting experiments concerning a different mechanical way to stimulate matter. Through the study of models in nature, prototypes of integrative, self-assembling, self- organizing architectonic structures are created. A 3D- printer is hacked to host this system and extrude agar based or bio plastic structures as a bone system. The project originates in and will contribute to the field of architecture… GG-loop

What are the benefits of looking at nature’s solutions?

The only real model for sustainability that has functioned for a long period of time is the world around us. Currently there is an urgent need for nature based design as the world around us is changing rapidly. Our resources are being depleted and the planet is overflowing with waste. Instead of products that are degrading our environment for future generations, we need to improve them. Natural forms, structures and systems can be used as a starting point for design solutions. This design approach is called biomimicry.
(Text courtesy of Laura Stevens)

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Biomimicry - 'Bios': life and 'Mimesis': imitation

Program

During the biomimicry workshop you will get a crash course in biomimicry and learn first hand what those first steps are towards a design solution. And feel the "Gratefulness" of being a pioneer in Life Friendly Design. You’ll get to practice how you can be nature’s apprentice by resolving a design challenge with the help of nature. The workshop will be led by Laura Stevens; Architect, Senior lecturer at The Hague University, PhD Candidate TU Delft & Leiden University and a Biomimicry student herself at Arizona State University.

For whom?

This workshop is suitable for everyone with an fascination for nature, biology, (bio)design and engineering. No prior knowledge is needed.

Information

Workshop: Biomimicry
Friday 10 Februaru, 15:00 - 17:00
Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijksgracht 6, Amsterdam
Tickets: €25,- Students & Artist / €35,- Regular

Note: This workshop will take place in English.

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Biomimicry blackboard - Sketching new nature-inspired ideas

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Laura Stevens (right) during one of her biomimicry classes -

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Designing new innovations - During the Biomimicry workshop you will join forces with your fellow workshop mates to develop a new nature-based solution. Margherita Soldati