Learning from the biology of evolution: exaptation as a design strategy for future cities

Abstract

PurposeThis paper highlights the importance of transdisciplinary studies in times of crisis. In the first part, the study shows the benefits of the introduction of literature on biology to better understand the evolutionary dynamics of architecture.Design/methodology/approachThe focus of the research concerns architectural exaptation. In biology, exaptation is a functional shift of a structure that already had a prior but different function. We will also learn that, in biology, all creative systems are redundant and involve variability and diversity.FindingsAs a conclusion, through the comparison between biology and architecture, we will, therefore, try to build an architectural taxonomy that demonstrates how indeterminism is not a subcategory of design. Instead, design paradigms in which redundancy and variable diversity of structures reflect functionalism constitute an equivalent and essential complement with respect to design determinism.Originality/valueIt demonstrates how architectural exaptation, intended as an indeterministic and radical mode of design, can contribute to overcoming the current global crisis because structural redundancy is frequently functional, mostly in ever-changing and unstable environments. For instance, the failure of a planned function of a city can be an opportunity to re-use a structure designed for an obsolete function to respond to unexpected constraints.

Metaxu: Reading Favelas’ Material Landscapes with Self-Organised Maps

“…Alessandro Melis (2020) introduced and further developed (Melis & Pievani, 2022; the term exaptation in architecture. Melis proposed two main groups -niche construction and redundant structures -from which he derived a five-categories taxonomy (Melis et al, 2020): (1) Functionalisation of existing geomorphologies; (2) Integration of function in existing structures; (3) Re-functionalisation of function in existing structures; (4) Integration or change of use; (5) Temporary appropriation of space. Melis distinguishes adaptation as the architectural design per se, which assigns a function a priori to the designed structures, while exaptation is a form of adaptation-non-adaptation because it occurs by functional co-option a posteriori.…”

Guest editorial – Future construction: design solutions and approaches

“…Melis et al (2022) stress the need to explore biological systems as prominent design paradigms, to understand further the dynamic potentials of buildings for the design of future cities. Exaptation as a design strategy is analysed by exploring the evolutionary processes of biological systems, and thoughtful debates about the functionalistic design of our future cities are provided.…”