Studio One: A New Teaching Model for Exploring Bio-Inspired Design and Fabrication

Abstract

The increasing specialization in architecture has clearly left its marks not only on the general profession but also on architectural education. Many universities around the world react to this development by offering primarily conventional and overly discipline-specific courses that often lack bold new concepts. To remedy this situation, the authors propose an alternative teaching model called Studio One, which seeks to facilitate new dynamic links between architecture and other disciplines based on the interplay between fundamental research, design exploration, and practical application. The goal is to develop an interdisciplinary, collaborative design training that encompasses the best that nature has to teach us, realized through the technology that humans have achieved. At the core of this class is the study of biological structures and the development of bio-inspired construction principles for architectural design. Both aspects are rich sources of innovation and can play an important role in the training of future architects and engineers. This paper seeks to provide a coherent progress report. After a brief introduction to the general objectives of Studio One, the authors will specify the methods and 21st century skills that students learned during this class. Relying on four student capstone projects as examples, the paper will then go into more detail on how natural structures can inspire a new design process, in which students abstract basic biomimetic principles and transfer them into the construction of architectural prototypes and pavilions. Finally, the authors conclude by discussing the particular successes and challenges facing this teaching model and identify the key improvements that may give this program an even bigger impact in the future.

Morphology and Material Composition of the Mouthparts of Stromatium unicolor Olivier 1795 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) for Bionic Application

“…Almost 99% of insects can fly; their aerodynamic behavior and flight skills have been repeatedly applied in mechanical engineering to promote new design concepts for aerodynamic or flight vehicles [8,9]. Other applications of insect bionics have been to develop new composite materials, more rigid and strong materials, materials that save weight [10,11] or to inspire new structure designs [12].…”

Has Biomimicry in Architecture Arrived in France? Diversity of Challenges and Opportunities for a Paradigm Shift

“…A good example would be the two-semester curriculum in biomimetics for undergraduate students taught by the ITECH program of the University of Stuttgart [ 81 , 82 ]; French architectural schools must offer master’s degrees in architecture, urbanism or civil engineering, which place biomimicry as a central field. At the international level, the One Studio program offers a one-year post-professional Master’s training for the development of bio-inspired construction at the University of California [ 83 ]. …”

“…French architectural schools must offer master’s degrees in architecture, urbanism or civil engineering, which place biomimicry as a central field. At the international level, the One Studio program offers a one-year post-professional Master’s training for the development of bio-inspired construction at the University of California [ 83 ].…”

Biomimetics and Education in Europe: Challenges, Opportunities, and Variety

“…Studio One at the University of Berkley (USA) established experiment-based and project-driven teaching bringing together students from various disciplines. Inspired by biological concept generators, they produced 2D sketches, small 3D models, 1:1 prototypes, and pavilions [34]. Other examples include the student projects on bioinspired pavilions, which have run for more than a decade in the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) and the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart [35,36].…”