OkButWhy’s Post

Non-human centered design, difference over repetition, decay over disposal--- Material Ecology provides a manifesto for what conscious building should look like. An interdisciplinary design paradigm, it places nature at the centre of the process. So much so that humans merely augment the environment as opposed to asserting control over it. Or as Neri Oxman says, “Imagine that nature is the single most important client in the architectural practice.” Watch Atharva Pandit delve into this fascinating concept. This is The Big Connect. Where we unpack the cutting edge. Its power, promise, and peril. And place science-tech in public square. #nature #nerioxman #materialecology #ecology #ecologylife #nerioxmanmaterialecology #synapse #thebigconnect #synapseconclave #originalthinking

What do we actually know about the ground on which we stand, and how does it relate to our landscape projects? Interventions on the surface of the landscape affect the underground as much as they are conditioned by it. Learn more from Landezine with 'Deep Landscape.' #ecology #hydrology #landscapearchitecture

Please join us for Talking Architecture 14, the series where we discuss how architecture can make a positive contribution to society and ecology. The dialogue in this session will follow from a presentation by Nengcha Lhouvum and Gautam Mukhopadhaya. Nengcha and Gautam served as Indian Ambassadors to Lebanon, Serbia and Indonesia from 2005-2013; and to Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar from 2006-16 respectively. They have an amateur interest in building with natural and local materials: mud, stone, bamboo and thatch. The subject of the talk, stemming from that interest, is their experience in a building experiment in the hills of Manipur.

We're using more synthetic grass than ever before. Are we losing our human connection to nature? 🌿 I recently read an article by Elizabeth Farrelly in ArchitectureAu about the use of synthetic grass. Summarising the findings of a study from the NSW Government, she highlighted an increase in the use of synthetic grass, raised significant concerns about its toxicity, and championed our 'under-acknowledged modernist ally - [real] grass'. While I noted the obvious concerns about artificial turf's impact on the natural environment, something stood out to me more. I found myself asking: what can be said about the impact of synthetic grass on the human condition? In removing ourselves from nature even further by relying on synthetic alternatives, are we consciously rejecting the natural world? I know that personally, I am still called to nature. As humans, we seek natural beauty – marvelling at the wonders of the rainforest canopy, being awestruck by the power of a waterfall, or pondering the endless expanse of our oceans. All of these things soothe the soul and ground us in reality, beyond the clutter and constant hum of technology, busyness, and productivity. As studies unveil the potential dangers of astroturf, I'd like to see a shift back towards one of the things that makes us so human: nature. The feeling of grass under foot is not something to be sniffed at. (Actually, it's called grounding, and it's a physiologically beneficial practice rooted in physics and hundreds of studies, so I'd like to see you try. 🤣) What's your take? Read Elizabeth Farrelly's full article here: https://lnkd.in/gFCVeaUw #BlurArchitecture #MelbourneArchitects #ArchitectureAu #LandscapeDesign

The Fascinating Origins of Hydroponics 🗣️ Hydroponics may seem like a modern marvel, but its roots stretch deep into history, weaving an intriguing tale of innovation and ingenuity. Picture ancient Babylon, where around 600 BC, the Hanging Gardens—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—thrived in vibrant greenery, defying the arid landscape. This breathtaking feat of engineering was the first known example of soil-less plant growth, captivating the imagination of all who laid eyes on it. Fast forward to around 1100 AD, and we find the ingenious Aztec Indians crafting their own version of floating gardens, known as "chinampas." These remarkable structures seemed to dance atop the water, buoyed by a unique blend of roots and reeds, enriched with nutrient-rich sediment from the lake bottoms. The sight was so astonishing that it caught the attention of Marco Polo during his travels through China, leaving him in awe of these mesmerizing floating plantations—nothing like he had ever witnessed before. But it wasn’t until the brilliant mind of Leonardo da Vinci entered the scene that hydroponics took on a scientific dimension. Da Vinci meticulously observed the relationship between plants and their mineral needs, uncovering the vital role that nutrients play in their survival. His insights, shared posthumously, hinted at his famous branching rule: "all the branches of a tree at every stage of its height when put together are equal in thickness to the trunk." This wisdom laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of how plants thrive without soil. So, the story of hydroponics is not just about growing plants—it's a rich tapestry woven through time, showcasing human creativity and the enduring quest for innovation in the face of nature’s challenges. 🌱 #hydrponics #sustainableagriculture #sustainability

Mae hwn yn hynod ddiddorol - ffordd gwahanol o feddwl am ystyr lle a mapiau This is a really interesting consideration on the meaning of place and function of "maps"

Special Issue Article Announcement: December 2025 The second special issue article announcement will be in the first year of a journal! https://lnkd.in/dkJZfhmv *THEME: SUSTAINABILITY, ECOLOGY, ENERGY-EFFICIENT DESIGN, AND BIOMIMICRY: CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL APPROACH IN ART, DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE #DesignforSustainability #SustainabilityinArchitecture #Ecology #EnergyEfficientDesign #Biomimicry #BiophiliCDesign #Wellbeing #Wellness #SustainableArchitecture #SustainableInteriorDesign #EcologyFurniture #Nanomaterials #GreenBuilding

What can you learn from a beluga whale? A beluga's melon (the tissue mass found in the foreheads of all toothed whales) is generally more flexible compared to other whale species. The melon probably facilitates sound production. It changes shape when the whale is producing sounds. The rounded, flexible melon on the forehead of belugas probably facilitates sound production. Reference: 9GAG #innovate #sustainability #natureinspired #whatinspiresme #technology #biomimicry #thinkoutside #nature #naturelover #engineering #chemistry #architecture

I'm happy to share that Dr. Sebastian Losacker and I have just published an article in Progress in Economic Geography. If you're interested in understanding what hinders the sustainable transition of one of the world's most polluting sectors, and what can be done to remove these obstacles, you can find our article here: https://lnkd.in/dD33q4KZ

2024 Wrigley Institute Graduate Fellow Maya Gomez, a PhD student in the Marine & Environmental Biology Program, always been enchanted by intricate details of the natural world. In her research, she uses technology like a micro-CT to evaluate fine scale changes in Staghorn #coral skeletal formation as a result of changes in the flow and light levels of their growing conditions. According to Gomez, understanding what drives these changes will provide key insight about what adjustments we can make to #ReefRestoration techniques to "cultivate the healthiest, most structurally complex, and resilient reefs." https://lnkd.in/gdJsrGnQ