Tag Archives: Design

What is Biomimicry?

12 Thursday Mar 2015

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There’s been much discussion about Biomimicry in my life recently, which brings up the question – what exactly is Biomimicry?

According to A Biomimicry Primer by Janine Benyus, a biologist, innovation consultant, author of several books, including the book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, and co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute, the formal definition of Biomimicry is:

learning from and then emulating natural forms, processes and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs

The core idea of Biomimicry recognizes that nature has already solved many of our present day problems: energy, food production, climate control, benign chemistry, transportation, collaboration, and more…

Geese fly in a V formation to reduce wind resistance and conserve energy.
Riders at the Tour de France use the same formation for these reasons, too.

Simply, biomimicry means to imitate life (bios means life, mimesis mean to imitate). A balance between nature and technology, biomimicry is based on respect for, rather than domination of, the natural world. Biomimicry aims to discover sustainable solutions to everyday problems by borrowing from life’s blueprints, chemical recipes and ecosystem strategies. Biomimics seek to learn from nature; which requires design practitioners to use a new method of inquiry in order to bring us directly into relation with the natural world and life’s genius for the continuation of not just one life, but all life.

Learning from life’s genius involves three big questions:

  • What would nature do here? (nature as model)
  • What wouldn’t nature do here? (nature as measure)
  • Why or why not? (nature as mentor)
The Kingfisher has a long, solid bill for diving for prey and digging.
The Shinkansen borrowed the Kingfisher bill design to reduce noise (sonic booms!) when emerging from tunnels.

Biomimics turn to nature for inspiration – their valuable teachers are the bacteria, fungi, plants and animals of this planet – and they seek their advice at all stages of design to create products, processes and policies that are fully life-inspired, functional, sustainable and beautiful. Instead of harvesting (bioutilization) or domesticating (bioassisted), biomimics consult organisms and see nature as a source of ideas instead of a source of goods.

Biomimicry is difficult to categorize: it is a design discipline, a branch of science, a method of problem solving, a sustainability ethos, a movement, a stance toward nature, and a new way of viewing and valuing biodiversity.

Termites keep their mounds at a very stable temperature by opening and closing vents throughout the mound over the course of the day.
The Eastgate Centre has a cooling system that operates like a termite mound.

So, then, how do we make the act of asking nature for advice a normal part of everyday inventing? How do we bring nature’s wisdom to all parts of our economy?

If you’re looking for more information about this fascinating topic, here are several links to get you started:

AskNature
Biomimicry Institute
Biomimicry Guild
Swedish Center for Biomimetic Fiber Engineering – Royal Institute of Technology
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard

—Amy DePierre

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Swedish IceHotel

05 Monday Jan 2015

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I know we just made it through this holiday season… but if you’re already starting your list for next year, put me down for a visit to see this stunning hotel. That is, unless, we can travel there right now:

Photo from the 25th IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, taken by Paulina Holmgren

Photo from the 25th IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, taken by Paulina Holmgren

The IceHotel, located 200 km above the Arctic Circle in the small village Jukkasjärvi in Northern Sweden, is built from ice every winter and melts to nothing in the Spring.

From their website:
“Creativity is our lifeblood. Every winter for almost 25 years ICEHOTEL rises again and every time with brand new art and design. It’s about being inspired by ice as a material – our imagination is constantly challenged and so is our vision of art.

Our hotel is more than rooms and beds; it is an art project made of snow and ice that is totally unique.

At ICEHOTEL we work with frozen water from Torne River. Rising from the lake Torneträsk, Torne River is one of the few rivers in Europe that has not been used for industrial purposes and is therefore a unique source. Its natural beauty and special history is an inspiration to us and is something we believe can never be found in artificial ice.”

Keep in mind that they also offer survival courses to their guests staying in the cold accommodations, and guarantee that the rooms are never colder than -7 degrees.

Visit the IceHotel website to learn more and see the spectacular pictures of their art.

Photo from the 25th IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, taken by Paulina Holmgren

Photo from the 25th IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, taken by Paulina Holmgren

Chihuly at Denver Botanic Gardens

25 Wednesday Jun 2014

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If you are (or are going to be) in Denver between now and November 30th – I would highly recommend that you add a visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens to your must see list! A complement to the already gorgeous gardens, the current exhibition featuring Chihuly’s stunning glass sculptures should not be missed. Chihuly is an internationally acclaimed glass fine artist known for his architectural installations around the world in historic cities, museums and gardens. Here’s a sneak peak from my visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens this past Sunday, June 22nd (click any photo to enlarge):

I would recommend arriving to the gardens early in order to escape the larger crowds that descend a little later in the day. Also, beginning October 3rd the gardens will feature Chihuly Nights from 5:30-9pm to allow visitors to view the sculptures during sunset and while illuminated at night. More information can be found on the Denver Botanic Garden’s website.

As an added bonus, I was lucky enough be in Phoenix in 2009 when the Desert Botanical Garden featured Chihuly’s installation. I would have loved to return for another viewing of his most recent work installed there this winter, too. Very different landscapes between the Desert and Denver, similarly beautiful results. Here are a few snapshots from his 2009 exhibition in Phoenix (click any photo to enlarge):

— Amy DePierre

Designs for Baby

06 Tuesday Aug 2013

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I’ve had babies on my mind lately. Not because I want one of my own (not for a few more years at least) but because one of my very close friends is pregnant, and I could not be more excited for her! Associates III does not have the chance to design many baby nurseries, but I have been day dreaming about nursery designs lately and thought I would share a few of my favorite design and furniture ideas.

Neutral nursery designs are trending right now, especially due to many couples waiting to find out the gender of their baby, including my friend. I love the idea of a neutral nursery; I think they are classic, sophisticated, and timeless.

crib

Tonal beiges and browns with natural wood accents can create a calming and elegant color scheme. When adding in accessories and finishing touches, I think it is best to stick to a general theme, such as a certain animal or natural motif. I love the elephant theme in the above photo.

If dark woods and beige still come off too masculine for you, but you would like to stick with a neutral color scheme, I would suggest adding in a soft, earthy color, such as green or yellow. The below photo shows a fresh green and white color scheme. The room is still gender neutral, but feels bright and happy.

green and white

Another thing I like about neutral nurseries is that it is easy to add in color through accessories, art, and draperies, once you know the gender of your baby.

accessories

It is also easy to add character and whimsy through the use of fun accessories, lamps, and wall décor, such as the below wall sconce and hooks.

giraffe sconceowl hookrabbit hook

There are so many ways to create an amazing nursery!

— Rachel Blackburn

 

Finding Inspiration

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

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Periwinkle Porte recently had the delightful opportunity to sit down and chat with Maggie Tandysh, one of Associates III Interior Design’s remarkable senior designers, about her approach to and thoughts on interior design. Here’s what she had to say:

Periwinkle Porte: When you first put pencil to paper for a project where do you start?

Maggie Tandysh: I like to start with the master plan, playing with the style, location and architectural aspects that are already in place, finding ways to integrate the outside with the inside of the home and building on these features by repeating or complementing the exterior finishes and identifying areas for the key details to come.

PP: Speaking of details, talk a bit more about this important design component.

Master BathMT: Details show care and attention. It comes down to building things in to the design that have a purpose, are well thought out and provide for great use of space. Take bathrooms, for example, which can become tedious and redundant in a home if the details are not carefully attended to. I personally love designing bathrooms. I enjoy selecting tiles that bring interest into the space and choosing fixtures that are unique so they seem more like furniture rather than hardware.

PP: What else about designing interiors do you particularly enjoy?

MT: Now that’s hard to say; I enjoy so much! I enjoy coordinating the pieces – taking the concepts and big picture ideas and making sure to implement them in a way that everything blends seamlessly and works well together.

PP: With this in mind, where do you draw your inspiration from?

MT: I find inspiration in so many places – from the architect’s words, to the client’s wishes, to finding ways of utilizing different team member’s strengths and expertise. A lot of my inspiration comes from being 100% accountable, knowing that the client and team are counting on me. I revel in knocking a client’s socks off and that definitely keeps me going!

PP:  Describe your ideal team to work with.

MT: A collaborative team is so important. I love working with a team that is open to ideas, seeks involvement, provides feedback and confirmation, one in which each person – architect, builder, client, designer and subcontractors – has a strong buy in on the project and brings their excitement and enthusiasm to their daily duties.

PP: How do you feel when the final piece is in place and the last installation is done?

MT: So proud and satisfied! Thankful to the team that we pulled it together; I love the sense of completion that comes at the end of a project – the period at the end of the sentence when all the i’s are dotted and t’s have been crossed. I find there are always lessons to be learned, a different way of doing things to keep in mind for the next time. Our projects are always filled with high integrity and high quality, which makes the final moments really special and meaningful.

— Periwinkle Porte

Balanced Design

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

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One of the fundamental objectives in design is to create balance, no matter the discipline — landscape design, product design, interior design. There are elements to consider, a check list of sorts to follow. The approach is not set in stone and guidelines exist, yet there’s a need for a creative eye that may be learnt but is more often innate.

I’ve asked designers how this works for them and received a variety of answers: color, pattern, lines, context, proportion, functionality. Essentially it comes down to relying on or having a sixth sense or a third eye: you know or see when something is in balance… or not.

That’s not to say every element has to be perfect; symmetry can be obtained through a varied palette of color, texture and shape. Using nature for inspiration, I went about looking for clues and found a few images to share.

Snails

As the snail grows, so does its shell — in a spiral shape, an ever growing circle.

Leaves

Each one of these clusters has four leaves, yet that is where their similarity ends. Amazing.

Peacock Feather

Peacock Feathers have been used for healing for centuries in many cultures. Said to carry Spiritual Healing Energy, they are often used to assist those seeking balance and harmony in their lives.

Ducks

The symmetry of birds as they fly is an inspiring reflection of teamwork at it’s finest!

How does your eye see these images?

— Debbie Hindman

If Walls Could Talk

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

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On a drive home from work one night I overheard an interview on CPR with Lucy Worsey, the author of If Walls Could Talk.

Book CoverHer British accent immediately caught my ear and I naturally turned up the volume to hear more of its quirky intonation.  Lucy turned out to be a scream….extremely funny with a dry bent that complimented her subject matter: the origins and purpose of rooms.  Her unique and witty approach gave life to what could have been dry history coming from a historian and curator, and I was soon vividly envisioning homes of the past.

I learned some new things….bedrooms haven’t always been the private sanctuary we have made them to be today, a need for warmth and security meant they were most often communal.  And heard some not so new things… closets were originally created as a place to “closet away” your books or treasures while you kept the few outfits of clothing you owned in your bedchamber. Did you know the coat hanger was invented sometime between 1869 and 1906, and by a man?  That surprised me.

Design is often created out of necessity or circumstances, as in the discovery of fire or the invention of the wheel.  And this is still true today.  Of course we have more time on our hands than the average worker-bee used to in medieval times, we have more leisure time to daydream and invent our spaces.  The world of Interior Design has evolved.  We’ve increased the size of our homes, we’ve added more room types over time, designed furniture that accommodate the larger size of our rooms as well as the shape of its occupants. We’ve stretched our creative minds over and over in decorating them to be an expression of who we are.

As Lucy pointed out in her delightful English accent, some of these things are coming full circle and, once again, necessity is the mother of invention: our homes are contracting in size as our lifestyle is changing.  We’re craving more community with our family and neighbors, a simpler environment is the new trend, and our homes are beginning to reflect those needs and values.

Listen to or read more of the interview here.

— Debbie Hindman