biomimicry challenge update

here's an update on the biomimicry challenge sponsored in part by the biomimicry guild. an article in fast company article written by alissa walker highlights the collaboration between brightworks and taller de operaciones ambientales, an architecture firm in mexico city. toa is unique for the fact that they already have a biologist on staff. juan rovalo helped lead a workshop to redesign the idea of ecodistricts and city planning. the team looked at mycelium, a fungus, and fairy ring mushrooms. they investigated the idea of borders in nature and planned open space. there are plenty of great videos of the creative team in process and beautiful sketches. here's an illustration of their solution:



"it's a different approach when you're talking about solutions in the office," says [team member] rodríguez. "the environment was really leading our discussion. you can refer to different things and point to them--that doesn't happen in the office. it's a creative way of exploring and it was really an exploration."

that quote sums up nicely everything that i find so exciting about bioinspired design.