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Designing for change
SKILLS USED: DESIGN RESEARCH | BIOMIMICRY EXPLORATION | SYSTEMS THINKING APPROACH | SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DESIGN |COLLABORATIVE TEAM WORK
Understanding Biomimicry
From behavior to biological makeup, humans are intrinsically linked to all systems and life on Earth. Biomimicry is a tool to help humans reconnect to our oneness and begin to understand nature as our mentor; understanding that we have the incredible opportunity to learn from the natural world to enhance our human experience. It encourages us to quiet human cleverness and understand that we are nature; and that there is no separation. With this, we are able to seek how natural forms, processes, and ecosystems in place can be mimicked to minimize our negative impact on Earth. As a diverse team of five SCAD students coming from various backgrounds of design: Industrial Design, Architecture, Interior Design, User Experience, Sustainable Design, Design Management, and even Textile Design. We came together to apply our unique methods of design and exploration to understand biomimicry methodology. This unique biomimetic experience brought us to designing OASYS!
Biomimetic Inspiration: begonia pavonina
This particular begonia has 3 main functions: to capture, absorb and filter energy; protect from UV damage; and regulate cellular processes. To understand how the Begonia performs these functions, it’s essential to first understand this species at the cellular level. Unlike classic plants, the Begonia pavonina has developed iridoplasts: highly specialized chloroplasts that have adapted to thrive in tropical forests under seemingly unthinkable low-light conditions. These iridoplasts are made up of multilayered membranes called thylakoids. This stacked structure acts as a dense crystal, slowing the rate of incoming UV rays, employing the quantum physics term called “slow light.” The densely stacked thylakoid structure also interferes with light wavelengths, reflecting back the color that we see as iridescent blue. At its core, the Begonia pavonina is one of the most impressive displays of efficient resource management in nature, all due to the impossible nature of its own home.
About OASYS
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