Title: Biodesign as an innovative tool to decrease construction induced carbon emissions in the environment

Authors: Onur Kırdök; Tutku Didem Altun; Deniz Dokgöz; Ayça Tokuç

Addresses: Department of Architecture, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey ' Department of Architecture, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey ' Department of Architecture, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey ' Department of Architecture, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey

Abstract: Around 40% of the Earth's carbon emissions are caused by the construction sector, mainly related to materials extraction and energy requirements. Therefore, architects and engineers are looking for solutions to achieve zero carbon emissions with their designs and production methods. This paper aims to investigate innovative construction methods, which are possible by linking the fields of biology and architecture; hence, use them to decrease carbon emissions during construction activities. Although using biomaterials and learning from the examples of and imitating nature is not a new idea, contemporary technological advances and scientific understanding made it possible to emulate more complex ideas from nature. This paper studies three biodesign projects; Neri Oxman's silk pavilion, Wolf Hilbertz's sea-autopia ampere and Biodesign Team Turkey's (TBT) sand architectures to investigate if a low carbon architecture and construction that makes use of biodesign is possible. The innovative construction methods in the cases make use of creatures and natural processes to decrease the amount of raw materials in architectural production, decrease the need for transportation by environmentally friendly onsite production and reduce many steps in the construction process; thus, make it possible to decrease carbon emissions compared to conventional construction methods.

Keywords: bio-architecture; bio-based material; biodesign; eco-construction; sustainability; Neri Oxman; silk pavilion; Biodesign Team Turkey; TBT; sand architectures project; Wolf Hilbertz; sea-autopia ampere; future architecture; bio-calcification; bio-rock; bio-fabrication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2019.101776

International Journal of Global Warming, 2019 Vol.19 No.1/2, pp.127 - 144

Received: 19 Dec 2018
Accepted: 12 Mar 2019
Published online: 26 Aug 2019 *

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