Page 13 - JCAU-5-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism SynBio-architecture: BioSynth Towers Project

A B C

D E F

Figure 4. Stages in the development of a biosynthetic building. (A) The intelligent seed grid as the towers foundations. (B) Initial forms of small individual
living spaces. (C) Formation of collective living spaces by adhesion. (D) The biosynthetic system develops as linked towers. (E) The Biosynthetic Tower
matures. (F) The towers blend in with the existing town and promote urban transformation

A B such as sitting or lying down, by just touching a pad on
the wall, a chair or a bed can emerge from the inner skin
of the living space. And third, the physical supports of the
towers lack traditional systems of reinforced concrete or
steel construction and rely altogether on woody materials.
Some details of specific parts and functionalities of the
building are outlined in Figure 6; note that all are based on
known properties of the biological elements at stake.
For instance, the interior of the organism tries to ensure
that all the spaces inside it receive an adequate amount of
natural light (Figure 6A). In turn, the outer skin of the
system is formed by light and solar energy collectors that
can transport photons to illuminate, by means of ampoules
Figure 5. Inside and outside of the Biosynthetic Tower. (A) The overall as lamps, those deeper places where it is more difficult
structure of the building adopts the outline of a tree, where roots act as for direct sunlight to reach. The BTs are in continuous
foundations and energy supply and where a central core branches out and slow growth and transformation (Figure 6B), so the
to support the different rooms and to serve as a guide in its extension circulation routes that run through its interior must absorb
and connection with other towers and buildings in its immediate
surroundings. (B) Simulation of how the fully developed Biosynthetic these movements. The inhabitants circulate by means
Towers could become integrated in the pre-existing urban landscape of a mechanism consisting of capsules that advance by
peristalsis (or progressive contractions) through tubular
electricity input other than its inner natural power as a living organs (Figure 6B), which run through the extensions of
organism. Energy supply is based on the chemical reactions the organism connecting the different habitable spaces.
of bacteria with natural agents (such as sunlight, water, As if they were parks or green areas of a city, certain
air, and temperature) and the vegetal, animal, and human sections of the skin of the BTs function as fertile surfaces
activity inside. The skin and stem of the tower configure where vegetation can grow. These spontaneous gardens
one self-supporting structure. Besides, there are multiple (Figure 6C) not only serve as places for the enjoyment
elements such as flexible fabrics, microcavity membranes, and relaxation of their inhabitants but also function as
filaments, fluids, and sticky matter that permit the BT to be cultivation fields or greenhouses that complement the food
sensitive towards exterior agents and to respond smartly supply of the towers’ inhabitants. The part of the lowest
to its user’s requests. For example, if the inhabitant feels façade of the BTs that is closest to the street functions as

Volume 5 Issue 3 (2023) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0619