RHIZOPHORA Nelly Marroquín - Tania González - Fabiola Galindo - Lissette Chapa
To our tutor and friend, architect Alejandro Rodriguez, that with his dedication and support made this project possible.
INDEX
INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND RHIZPHORA EXPERIMENT MODEL EVOLUTION MODULE’S FACADE TOWER’S DEVELOPMENT INFERIOR STRUCTURES PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS MASTER PLAN CIRCULATION ZONE DIAGRAM RENDERS
INTRODUCTION
This project is the result of an extensive research of biomimetic patterns and parametric architecture based on the principles of biology expressed in the design. Rhizophora is a resort located in Puerto Juarez; an ecological resort in the gulf of Mexico, north of the famous touristic city; Cancun. The site has a characteristic desired by any resort in the area, an ocean to its eastern side, and a lagoon to its west.
The site was once an ecological reserve; an area that was once covered by wildlife and has now been greatly affected by human development. Having this in mind, this project´s objective is to preserve as much as possible the reserve creating the least damage possible on the site.
Our research, originally analyzed the ecological reserve that surrounded the site. This guided the path of our investigation to the area of nature specially of fractals, which contained much of the information that we were looking for. Rhizophora is the scientific name for the red mangrove, a plant in the ecological reserve with a strong structural root system, and an ability to regenerate.
BACKGROUND
Regeneration, preservation, conservation and optimization are four words that describe this project; four concepts that characterize a resort surrounded by a natural habitat to different species.
RHIZOPHORA
The red mangrove is a specie listed by our laws as a subject to special protection, and is distributed along the coasts of Mexico and part of the four mangrove species existing in Mexico.
This tree has several characteristics that are very useful for the development of our project: Its branches are supported by numerous aerial roots that give greater stability to the tree and soil. The roots of this tree are very distinctive with a curved and arched form. It has the ability to regenerate itself.
Has a dichotomous branching system.
The red mangrove has a great ecological impact because it is a specie with potential for reforestation and restoration of mangrove communities. Some of the restorative effects are: Retrieves or degraded land, soil where it grows the tree have high fertility. Helps soil conservation and erosion control as it stabilizes.
RHIZOPHORA
Represents an important role in protecting the coastline and maintain water quality by working as a filter of some contaminants.
RHIZOPHORA
The flowers of the mangrove grow in small groups at the end of the youngest branches. They grow in a tube like form with petals surrounding it. The outside of the flower´s petals are fused into a tube with five lobes or triangular teeth 2 to 3 mm. At the end of the tube five tiny white petals with a 1mm diameter are born.
On the other hand, the mangrove´s fruit is silky and fleshy, with a flattened bottle-shape, measuring about 1 to 2.5 cm long and have several longitudinal grooves. The fruit sinks after floating for about 4 weeks and then grows when the seed is submerged.
To understand more about the subject we were studying, we decided to make an experiment in which the behavior of fractals could be analyzed. The experiment consisted in the study of fractals through fluids. To perform this experiment we used
EXPERIMENT
white glue ink on two acrylic plates. The relationship between the tree and the experiment is that the formation of the roots is through a dichotomous branching system, so we concluded that fluids represented this phenomenon.
EXPERIMENT
The experiment consisted on placing the glue with ink in between the two plates and observing the structure formed by the glue.
By repeating the experiment several times, we noticed the continuous appearance of a vertical structural element in the center of the plates, giving us the principal idea of our concept that will be explained briefly.
The picture above shows in details how the structures on the lower part of the experiment appeared.
EXPERIMENT
Besides this vertical structure we notice that near the surface of the plane small branching system appeared with a noticeable elevation.
EXPERIMENT’S INTERPRETATION
After creating the analog experiment, we transfered the results to the site to obtain the project´s silhouette .
After doing the experiment we wanted to express in a model our concept inspired by the experiment. With a thick wire we represented the “structures” of our project which are the essential part of it. These “structures” basically start growing from the outer part
With glue we represented some habitable spaces that represent the fruit and flower of the mangrove. The spaces were established by the form and shape on the structural elements.
MODEL
of the site and join in the center to form a mega structure in the center of the site.
TOWER’S EVOLUTION
Perforated Modules
Reinterpretation of the mangle´s flower
Selected Model
TOWER’S EVOLUTION
Parametric growth according to a spiral pattern
INTERPRETATION
The morphology of the mangrove’s flowers was studied to create the tower’s modules.
3
5
6
MODULE’S EVOLUTION
1 2
4
MODULE’S FACADES
MODULE’S FACADES
A skin analysis was developed for the tower´s modules, in which different kind of openings were created to satisfy the needs to each space. The kinds of openings that we wanted to experiment with were horizontal in their longitudinal side. As a second option, we experimented with diamond shaped openings which consisted in an interlaced structure. The third option, the chosen one is a mesh with squared perforations and a transparent frontal plane since it achieved the illumination desired.
TOWER’S DEVELOPMENT
35 units 30 residencial 5 comercial
70 units 60 residencial 10 comercial
140 units 120 residencial 20 comercial
TOWER’S DEVELOPMENT
105 units 90 residencial 15 comercial
INFERIOR STRUCTURES
INFERIOR STRUCTURES
The starting point to the project’s structure consisted in imitating the roots of the mangrove. The intention was to interfere as least as possible with the site. At the beginning thin and curved elements were created, after analyzing these, they were modified to create wider spaces allowing people to walk on them, and capable of becoming living spaces.
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
This algorithm was used to create the structures stimulating the growth of the mangle´s roots. Through a modified SIN formula, an undulated structure was created for the inferior part of the project where the villas shall be.
sin(x)
x*sin(x) + 11
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
x*sin(x)
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
To modify the thickness of the structure, we used this algorithm through 3 profiles creating a surface that adapts its size and thickness. Another formula was created to rotate these profiles.
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
The next algorithm was created to develop the shape of the modules through 3 different profiles.
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
This last algorithm was used for the development of the modules around the tower following the patterns of the mangle´s flower growth.
PARAMETRIC ALGORITHMS
MASTER PLAN
MASTER PLAN
CIRCULATION
The complex´s circulation follows the structure´s shape. The structure works both as a walking circulation, and at the same time, defines the vehicular path. Since the idea of the complex is to create a natural interaction and sensation, vehicular circulation is reduced to minimum promoting walking circulations to reach any shores.
ZONE DIAGRAM
Hotel
ZONE DIAGRAM
Comercial zone
ZONE DIAGRAM
The complex´s main tower is created by several curveshaped structures which support different modules containing habitable spaces. The tower is divided into two main zones: Commercial and a hotel area. The commercial zone is located in the center of the tower since a connection with the hotel area is being pursued. The modules containing the hotel area surround the commercial area creating a panoramic view throughout the complex.
MODULE’S SECTION
EXPLODED VIEW
In an exploded view, it reflects how both zones unify at the center, as the structure of the tower protect these zones.
MODEL
MODEL
DETAIL VIEW
DETAIL VIEW
RESORT
RESORT
OCEAN VIEW
OCEAN VIEW