Nov 2, 2017
Special Thank You to Our Sponsors and Supporters of Terreform ONE
Oct 16, 2017
Terreform ONE Prize Winning Project in the LafargeHolcim Sustainable Construction Awards
“Exuberant architectural expression calling attention to the possibilities of insect farming”. Cricket Shelter is an urban farming system and temporary shelter that minimizes the ecological footprint of protein-rich food production. It is a well-established fact that industrialized animal agriculture accounts for one-fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions, and with global demand for meat projected to double between 2000 and 2050, the industry’s space requirements constitute one of the most significant drivers of deforestation in the world. This project proposes an alternative: with 1 % of the greenhouse gas emissions and requiring 0.001 % of the land to produce the same amount of protein annually as cattle farming, environmental destruction need no longer be the consequence of ensuring our food supply.
https://www.lafargeholcim-foundation.org/projects/cricket-shelter
Sep 6, 2017
Job Opening: Architect and Designer at Terreform ONE
Terreform ONE architectural research in Brooklyn, New York is one of the world's foremost experimentalist practices of urban interventions. Our studios are located in the celebrated prototyping and co-manufacturing facility, New Lab. We are looking for impassioned, intellectually rigorous, highly flexible candidates with outstanding skills in the following areas:
· Architectural Design
· Project Management
· Physical Modeling, 3D Printing
· Ecological/ Biotech Expertise
· Rendering/ Visualization and Animation
This is a full-time paid position at a monthly rate. The opportunity and compensation are commensurate based on your experience, contribution, and creation of value. Position(s) are available and must be filled immediately.
To apply for Architect and Designer: send CV and work samples: terreform at gmail dot com. Portfolios must be limited to 3 MB or less. Only digital applications will be considered.
Aug 1, 2017
Caddisfly Larvae Case Architecture Research
Terreform ONE Team: Mitchell Joachim (PI), Shi Zhang, Matt Mitchell, Taili Zhuang, Ana Toledano, Molly Ritmiller, Liana Grobstein, Michael Chambers, Jade Manbodh, Effie Mbrow.
Jul 31, 2017
Liveware: Veg Spacesuit - Research at Terreform ONE
LIVEWARE: Veg Spacesuit - work on growing structures from woody plants into specific spatial geometries for local environments.
Terreform ONE Team: Mitchell Joachim (PI), Matt Mitchell, Taili Zhuang, Mat Sokol, Jamal Combs, Chenoe Hart, Seb Fathi, Che Puntes, Molly Ritmiller, Liana Grobstein, Ana Toledano, Shi Zhang, Jade Manbodh, Effie Mbrow.
Soft Root Aeroponic Chamber
As a continuation of the research into growing soft roots for use in living structural applications, we intend to design and fabricate a lightweight, modular alternative to the aeroponic system constructed with Treenovations in June 2016. Conceptualized as an individual ‘spacesuit’ for each plant, this apparatus generates and maintains a precisely conditioned adaptable environment in which growth can be promoted, monitored and controlled. Utilizing more sophisticated materials and technologies enable this system to become a transportable and deployable solution for growing programmable architectures on-site, as well as a smart monitoring device linked to an online database of life cycle analyses – aiming to iterate, discover and optimize the environmental conditions for maximally accelerated root growth over generations of plants. The eventual aim is to develop a living structural system, from which entire architectures can be ‘grown-to-order’; pleaching the individual trees to form a composite structure.
Data Capture
The LIVEWARE functions as a data capture environment, recording the plant’s biometrics as it develops as well as the input parameters for growth. Over many iterations of this process, a comparative feedback process builds an understanding of the causal relationship between input parameters and the resulting health, form and growth speed of the plant. This phenotypical knowledge will enable us to push the limits of root growth speed, the primary prohibitive factor in developing practical structures made from living biomaterial.
A visual output alongside a common graphical data display on a web page devoted to the documentation of this project would provide an open platform for publishing the results from the lab. This could be programmed, embedded tech automatically recording, analyzing and publishing the data to the web in real time, plotting the progress of each plant in the system.
Data Output:
· CO2 Level (Canopy)
· Humidity (Root Chamber)
· Temperature (Root Chamber + Canopy )
· Solution pH / Chemical Constitution
· Net Weight
· Growth Time
· Photograph (Plan, Diameter)
· Photograph (Elevation, Height)
· Biological Samples
· Incident Light Conditions
Indicates parameter over which system provides complete control.
Controllable Input Parameters (Basic):
· Solution pH / Chemical Constitution
· Incident Light
Directionality, Photoperiod, Intensity, Spectrum
· Mister Phasing
· Auxin Application
Phenotype Development
Through precise control of the environmental parameters inside the ‘space suit’, a degree of formal variation will be achievable through their manipulation. This can be considered as a form of ‘auto-espalier’, programmable tree-shaping for which no human intervention or maintenance is required. The parameters are merely adapted in response to the growth feedback from previous iterations until a desired canopy form can be reliably achieved. For example, tightly controlled, localized exposure to light will enable the system to direct the directional tendency of each leaf’s growth. This could be supplemented with the topical application of auxins to stimulate further cell division in the desired locations.
These ‘designed’ phenotypes can then begin to assume the role of architectural elements in the bio-constructions which result from their agglomeration, bearing the disposition of either a column, a series of mullions, a portal, a gable and so forth.
Expressive Exhibition
For our first prototype of this ‘veg suit’ will be imagined and constructed as an expressive, even sculptural piece which seeks to playfully express the temporal shifts and events arising from the operation of the system as it maintains the environmental conditions for the plant. Trigger events such as mister operation, air pump operation, threshold breaches and time phase may all result in a visual, auditory or another sensory expression, such that the system constitutes a responsive envelope. The goal of this is to engage and communicate to an observer the mode of operation of the system itself. This extends to visible metrics, programmed LEDs, inflatable sacs which translate the movement of air and water through the system into a performance.
Programmable Architectural Assemblage
The eventual conceptual goal of this research lies in a modular, adaptable bio-unit, designed to grow pre-configured bio-architectures using a common, infinitely replicable system. The geometry of the eventual architecture is defined by the arrangement of these units, which have a high degree of formal reconfigurability. Every composition, however, adheres to a principal set of geometric logics, defined foundationally by the scale of the human and the limits of the biological ability of the plants.
Temporal Phasing
This principle dictates the system in its prototypical composition is an architecture in itself, from the moment of its deployment through to its maturation into a living structure independent from artificial support.
The system also fulfills a number of functions with different periods of applicability relative to the life cycles of the plants.
1. Initial Environmental Control
This refers to the period during which the plant is fully reliant on the aeroponic system. It is growing roots at an accelerated rate, yet to attain its desired form and length.
2. Structural Support
This refers to the period after which the plant has achieved the desired root length and canopy form, but before the lignification process renders itself supporting, or mutually supporting if pleached in a group. During this phase, the long, pliable taproot is exposed to the air, and the lower 10% is planted in soil (either at grade or at a predetermined level). As the ‘planted’ portion of the root is now surrounded by soil, the tactile stimuli encourage it to divide, bifurcating to yield many individual root tips. This begins the process of lignification, though it may take years before the exposed root attains sufficient mass to support itself, and hence a guiding ‘scaffold’ provides auxiliary support. At this time, the system’s life-support components are completely or partially removed, depending on the circumstance, leaving the plant to develop under natural conditions. In some cases, it may be desirable to continue to precisely control the growth of the canopy while the roots are left to develop naturally.
3. Supplementary Life Support
This refers to an interstitial period during which the root tip, having been planted, may have insufficient water uptake potential to support the canopy. In this case, supplementary aeroponic functionality may be maintained and phased out gradually.
4. Self-Supporting Living Bio-Architecture
This refers to the period after which the plants are self-sustaining and self-supporting, fulfilling their intended programmatic functions as a living bio-architecture.
Structural / Technical / Material
Seeing as the majority of the weight of the structure is contained in the water circulation system, in a suspended system this mass ought to be positioned closest to the point of suspension – with the lightweight life-support elements hanging below this structure. The distribution of water weight can be seen as a means to adapt or transform the structure as needed based on
1. Expandable Canopy Space – Soft vs. rigid elements, mode of expansion.
2. Extensible Root Chamber, material, mode?
3. Mister reservoir, better transmission efficiency, use of gravity.
4. Lighting fixture design.
5. Backing canvas/light reflector configuration.
6. LED integration.
Jun 17, 2017
Seoul Biennale: Imminent Commons - The Debates at New Lab with Terreform ONE #Actar
Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism: Imminent Commons
The Debates Part I:
Alejandro Zaera-Polo, Beatriz Colomina, David Benjamin, Jesse Le Cavelier, Keller Easterling, Laura Kurgan, Maider Llaguno, Mark Wigley, Martino Stierli, Mitchell Joachim.
Wed. June 28th, 6:30 - 8:30 PM @ New Lab, Brooklyn NY.
Live, urban commons Seoul
Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2017 focuses on issues and proposals, not on authors and works. Centered on the themes of Nine Commons, the Seoul Biennale is organized along two major sections: exhibitions installed during the Biennale period and the public programs during the corresponding year. The exhibitions consist of nine Commons, Commoning Cities and Live Projects. Public Programs include International Studios, Film and Video Program, Workshops, Lectures, Common Library and Tour Program which offer a communicative platform for visitors.
Seoul is a grand laboratory for the imminent commons. Since its foundation more than 600 hundred years ago, Seoul has been a dynamic site of the commons, where politics and economy intertwined with the design of wind and water. It is a metropolis that maintains the spirit, methods, productivity, and spaces of the commons. In 2012, embarking on new policies of horizontal governance, sustainability, community based design, and economic equality, the Seoul Metropolitan Government proclaimed its vision as a City of Commons. Breaking open the gallery walls, the Seoul Biennale activates an urban constellation of urban sites, and citizen activity towards three live projects: Production City, Urban Foodshed, and Walking the Commons.
Book launch events
A book titled Seoul Biennale 2017: Imminent Commons, which works as a theoretical basis of the whole Biennale, will be published prior to the biennale. Co-organized by urbanNext, affiliated book launch events and think-tank programs will be held in New York and other cities. The event in New York will take place at New Lab, with one of the co-directors Alejandro Zaera-Polo and many of the authors of the book including Mitchell Joachim.
Mitchell Joachim and Christian Hubert. "The End of Waste? Towards a Socio-Ecological Commons," Imminent Commons: Urban Questions for the Near Future, Alejandro Zaera-Polo and Hyungmin Pai (eds.), Actar, 2017, pp. 318 - 333.
http://seoulbiennale.org/
http://www.e-flux.com/announcements/135629/seoul-biennale-of-architecture-and-urbanism-2017/
Jan 19, 2017
Human-Powered Gym Boat in Paris w/ Terreform ONE
Original Project Credits: Mitchell Joachim and Douglas Joachim.
Design Partner Team: Carlo Ratti Associati.
Our concept encapsulates a new typology for the contemporary urban gym. It is intended to challenge our innate proprioceptive and multi-planer locomotive abilities while synchronously altering the surroundings. A simple transfer of workout vigor supplies a given city with needed supplemental transport and amenities. Work-out on your commute to work.
http://www.pcmag.com/news/350451/human-powered-gym-boat-provides-seine-ic-views
Jan 16, 2017
Business Insider with Terreform ONE
By Gene Kim and Rob Ludacer
"Although this may be a foreign concept to many, eating insects is a common practice in many cultures. Insect meals could be a more environment-friendly protein source than meat. Architecture firm, Terreform ONE, has built a shelter to raise edible crickets and promote insect consumption." - Business Insider, Jan. 8, 2017.
http://www.businessinsider.com/weird-futuristic-building-cricket-farm-brooklyn-2017-1
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