Exploration Architecture was established in 2007 by architect

Michael Pawlyn Michael Pawlyn (born 30 September 1967) is a British architect noted for his work in the field biomimetic architecture and innovation, as well as jointly initiating the 'Architects Declare' movement in the UK. He was part of the principal team ...

(b. 1967). Based in London the studio develops projects with clients using

biomimicry Biomimetics or biomimicry is the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. The terms "biomimetics" and "biomimicry" are derived from grc, βίος (''bios''), life, and μίμησ ...

as a guiding principle to conceive of high performance, sustainable buildings.

Designing with nature

The Architecture Foundation Founded in 1991, The Architecture Foundation is Britain's oldest independent architecture centre. It examines contemporary issues in architectural theory and practice, through a public programme that has involved exhibitions, competitions publicatio ...

featured the work of the practice in a solo exhibition, Designing with Nature in Central London in 2014. Exploration presented four projects - The Biomimetic Office, The Mountain Data Centre, The Sahara Forest Project and The BioRock Pavilion - along with a collection of biological specimens that are used by the architects as a source of inspiration for innovative buildings. The projects were displayed on 3D printed tables, designed using SKO software – a computer programme based on the adaptive growth patterns of trees and bones. The company commissioned four films by photographer, Kelly Hill, that explored the design philosophy behind each of the schemes and provided further insight into the process of applying biomimicry to architecture.

Selected projects

Boat for the Plastiki Expedition: This project, designed with client David de Rothschild, explored

Cradle-to-cradle design Cradle-to-cradle design (also referred to as 2CC2, C2C, cradle 2 cradle, or regenerative design) is a biomimetic approach to the design of products and systems that models human industry on nature's processes, where materials are viewed as nutri ...

ideas to highlight solutions to

plastic pollution Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat. Plastics that act as pollutants are catego ...

in the ocean. The Sahara Forest Project: demonstrates how biomimicry can help address a range of challenges by employing three components - saltwater cooled greenhouses, concentrated solar power (CSP) and desert revegetation technologies. Collectively these elements provide fresh water, land regeneration, the sequestering of carbon in soils, the closing the

nutrient cycle A nutrient cycle (or ecological recycling) is the movement and exchange of inorganic and organic matter back into the production of matter. Energy flow is a unidirectional and noncyclic pathway, whereas the movement of mineral nutrients is cycli ...

and provides employment in deprived areas. The Biomimetic Office: A sustainable office building designed with Yaniv Peer of Exploration, Arup Research & Development, Atelier Ten, Expedition Engineering, Mace Cost Consultants and Julian Vincent The Mountain Data Centre: A concept for ultra-low energy data centre based on principles of efficient branching systems in biology referred to as Murray’s Law

External links

Exploration Architecture

Sahara Forest Project

Michael Pawlyn LinkedIn

Biomimetic Office Building
* The Sahara Forest Project pilot facility in Qatar

The Sahara Forest Project pilot facility in Qatar

"Using nature's genius in architecture" TED talk

References

{{Reflist Organizations established in 2007 Architecture organisations based in the United Kingdom