|Digital Matter
|Beeyond Anthropocene
Reimagining Urban Landscapes for Bee Thriving
|Team
Aleyna Gultekin, Pragati Patilkulkarni, Neha Pattanshetti,Arunima Kalra
|Faculty
Areti Markopoulou, David Andres Leon, Nikol Kirova,
|Project year
2021-22
Bee-yond Anthropocene strives to mitigate the impact of segregation of bees from the Urban context of Barcelona and remedy their habitat loss through a temporal yet forceful insemination into the ecosystem, where beehives and melliferous flowers are placed on the street facades of existing green corridors and the ones near urban gardens. The proposal is a biodegradable, ephemeral and self-sufficient system that is also designed to be discontinued once the equilibrium is reached and bees become a part of the urban fabric.
The project involves guiding bees from rural areas to urban zones, creating pollinator corridors within the city, and introducing a specialized facade system that supports bees and provides essential nutrition.
Beyond addressing ecological concerns, the project takes on the challenge of mitigating carbon emissions. Its focal point also lies in the creation of a bio-material system harnessing the beneficial attributes of lightweight construction, insulation, and a spectrum of mechanical properties innate to paper and cellulose. These can find diverse applications in architecture, serving as eco-conscious alternatives for elements like façades and interior panels. The initiative represents a significant stride towards sustainability in construction practices.
Samples and Hydrophobicity tests
Modules and aggregation Strategy
Beehive module
The main objective of the material system to create a bio material by upcycling waste paper was achieved through rigorous testing with different binders and consolidating to one. The material has to be developed in certain atmospheric conditions failing of which invites formation of mold.
The material system was casted to make panels and as well as curved surfaces which were then attached together to make the whole module.
Fabrication Vault Design
Fabricated Prototype
Fabricated Prototype
Through meticulous experimentation and in-depth study, this research serves as a foundational step towards utilizing bio-materials. Future research endeavors will pave the way for sustainable solutions, not solely benefiting bees but also addressing environmental concerns. These efforts aim to foster healthy ecosystems by employing biodegradable solutions, thereby charting a course for a more sustainable future.
