ROOTARCH

 

Abstract

 

The project ROOTARCH aims at translating growth principles of plant roots to new solutions in architectural design by developing new digital design and production methodologies.

 

Project Lead: Petra Gruber
Researchers: Camille Breuil, Clemens Preisinger, Daniela Kröhnert
Project Partners: Thomas Speck (University of Freiburg, Germany), Anita Roth-Nebelsick (State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Germany), Thibaut Houette (Ceebios, France)
Project Start and Duration: 1.1.2025 – 31.12.2025, 12 Months
Funding: INTRA 2024

Figure: Silver maple root wad, model created by photogrammetry process, The University of Akron 2019.

 

The project takes on the method of bio-inspired design to look at biology for innovation in human design. The proposal stands in the tradition of the arts-based research projects Biornametics, GrAB – Growing as Building, and BIOCOOL, that were carried out at the University of Applied Arts. Tree root systems are multifunctional plant elements that serve as role models for bioinspired solutions in architectural design and engineering. Specifically, structural systems of buildings, anchoring and supply systems, but also novel fiber based material systems, entangled or integrating aggregate substrates, are of interest and hold promise for a more sustainable building practice of the future.

 

A previous study on tree root systems provides 10 exact 3D models of coarse tree root systems. Algorithmic analysis delivered and topological information together with biological traits and key strategies for root growth. A set of biolab plant growth experiments will add to the biological knowledge as a base for co-designing living architecture proposals and abstracted information transfer to architectural design concepts. Digital simulation and production methods will be applied to explore the design opportunities with complex morphologies in customized and adaptable designs and processes. ROOTARCH aims to take those methods further to develop novel root-inspired solutions for architectural applications, and confirm the approach to a new, living architecture transferring principles from biology and using co-design and multispecies design with living organisms.

 

The project will be carried out by a consortium consisting of the Departments of Building Construction, Digital Simulation and Digital Production, integrating international experts in the field. In an open workshop additional departments of and students will participate. The outcome of the project will be presented and exhibited and disseminated in publications.