The main goal of the Successional Skyscraper is to research and develop a coherent structural system with complex differentiation and the potential of growth urbanism. Trees have a magnificent optimising strategy. Their system of roots searches for water sources and static stabilization.
The trunk typically contains wooden tissue for strength, and vascular tissue transfer nutrients from one part of the tree to another. Most trees the trunk is surrounded by a layer of bark which serves as a protective barrier. Below the ground, the roots branch and spread out widely, serving to anchor the tree and extract moisture and nutrients from the soil. The supply channels do not just go straight upwards the core, a part of them goes in a spiral shape to avoid the centralization of the network. Above the ground, the branches divide into smaller branches and shoots. The shoots typically bear leaves, which capture solar energy and convert it into sugars by photosynthesis, providing the food for the tree's growth and development.
The trunk typically contains wooden tissue for strength, and vascular tissue transfer nutrients from one part of the tree to another. Most trees the trunk is surrounded by a layer of bark which serves as a protective barrier. Below the ground, the roots branch and spread out widely, serving to anchor the tree and extract moisture and nutrients from the soil. The supply channels do not just go straight upwards the core, a part of them goes in a spiral shape to avoid the centralization of the network. Above the ground, the branches divide into smaller branches and shoots. The shoots typically bear leaves, which capture solar energy and convert it into sugars by photosynthesis, providing the food for the tree's growth and development.
Trees play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store large quantities of carbon their tissues. Trees and forests provide a habitat for many species of animals and plants.
They grow constantly only if in a good condition. For creating leaves or conifer needles a lot of energy is needed, so the tree always respond to the actual balance of the energy. It works out if it has sufficient energy to grow new leaves or if it's better to invest energy in different parts. According to that, we can observe differentiation in the cellular system and growing patterns.
For us the tree is the best example of an environmental structure which could be used in an architectural way. Not only because of the energy sustainable strategy, but also as a structural system.
They grow constantly only if in a good condition. For creating leaves or conifer needles a lot of energy is needed, so the tree always respond to the actual balance of the energy. It works out if it has sufficient energy to grow new leaves or if it's better to invest energy in different parts. According to that, we can observe differentiation in the cellular system and growing patterns.
For us the tree is the best example of an environmental structure which could be used in an architectural way. Not only because of the energy sustainable strategy, but also as a structural system.
In our project, this root system represents the structural stability and the main frame. Roots provide a balanced network which could serve as a low rise city network with a very moderate pattern of transition between open landscape and a dense city core. The frame is not defined only in the horizontal plane, but also in the vertical dimension which allows its inhabitants to accommodate this structure in an unlimited way.
The main goal of the research is the relationship between individual and collective patterns. When we create a structural system in a certain way (L systems, fibonacci sequence, flocking agents) we get a great variability of patterns with both coherence and difference, observing obvious similarity with an ancient self growing city.
The main goal of the research is the relationship between individual and collective patterns. When we create a structural system in a certain way (L systems, fibonacci sequence, flocking agents) we get a great variability of patterns with both coherence and difference, observing obvious similarity with an ancient self growing city.
The branches pattern is generated as a spiral in fibonacci sequence translated into cells with the size from 3 to 12 m. In the middle part of the branch structure there are openings to bring the fresh air in and to support solar tunnel circulation as well as to create an open public structure. The plan clearly presents a visible tendency to self organisation with the generation of individual complex units, which are, however, connected both with the core and between each other.
The leaf system is similar to the cactus leaf which has an optimised shape to collect the maximum of solar energy with the minimal surface. The spikes are arranged in a very efficient way so that each spike may receive its portion of solar energy. The spike pattern also allows the optimal cooling with wind.
We would like to speculate about new types of structures based on natural growth and cellular patterns. We do not intend to transform these patterns into our modernistic or traditional architectural archetypes – we would rather use them as inhabitable spaces.
The leaf system is similar to the cactus leaf which has an optimised shape to collect the maximum of solar energy with the minimal surface. The spikes are arranged in a very efficient way so that each spike may receive its portion of solar energy. The spike pattern also allows the optimal cooling with wind.
We would like to speculate about new types of structures based on natural growth and cellular patterns. We do not intend to transform these patterns into our modernistic or traditional architectural archetypes – we would rather use them as inhabitable spaces.
Project authors: Jiri Vitek / Petr Kolacek
Visualizations: FlyingArchitecture
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