Plan Bee
The Synthetic Apiary
author: Pavel Pavlov reg.no: 201337352 date: April, 2018 tutors: William Gunn; Michael Angus BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies Department of Architecture University of Strathclyde
In memory of my grandfather, who along with everything else taught me how to love and appreciate the greatness of bees.
introduction Honey bees are some of the most amazing, yet often underappreciated insects. They are one of the hardest working creatures on the planet, literally working themselves to death, and because of their laborious work ethic people are able to live in the world as it is today. Honeybees, along with other types of bees, are responsible for pollinating about one sixth of the flowering plant species worldwide and approximate net £690 million worth of crops every year in the UK itself. It is estimated that it would cost at least £1.8 billion a year to mechanically pollinate Britain’s cultivated land, and even then the production would be of lower quality. Despite of its contribution, bee population has been reported declining worldwide and Britain has not managed to reverse this trend for the past 50 years. Factors ranging from climate change, viruses and harmful pesticide use are alarmingly threatening these little invaluable gems. What is more, multiple bee wipe-outs have been reported in the past years, with the UK suffering a large loss in the early 1990s due to the Varroa mite followed by a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder in the beginning of the 21st century which affected bee colonies worldwide. For instance, Northern Ireland projected bee decline above 50%. As a result, the cultivation of bees, the knowledge about their health and the development of non-standard environments and technologies has become increasingly important for their survival, and for ours.
Plan BEE
how can we solve the bee threats
The Synthetic Apiary The rapid development in technology creates opportunities for exploration of alternative, innovative ways to deal with the challenges facing humanity. The project investigates the idea of an unorthodox solution to the reduced honey bee population by embracing this technological advantage. The proposed facility will:
○ Study ○ Develop ○ Generate autonomous robotic bees and their artificial intelligence. The primary objective of the project would be to reverse the decline of honey bee population by introducing manmade organisms into bee colonies and provoking a symbiosis between natural and cyborg bees. In case the new bees fail to achieve their objective and honey bees become extinct, the facility will ensure that pollination is sustained by the new bees.
The New Bees will be able to detect any mites in the hive and alarm the beekeepers. That would allow for adequate measures to be taken in time.
The New Bees will be able to monitor chemical use on pollinated crops and alarm in case of a threat. This would also record a database which will allow for analysis of pesticides side effects.
The New Bees will be able to monitor climate change and accordingly the behaviour of honey bees.
The New Bees will be able to execute any predators threatening the honey bees.
VARROA MITE - Varroa mites are external parasites that attack both honey bees and brood. They suck the blood from both the adults and developing brood, especially drone brood. This weakens and shortens the bee’s life.
PESTICIDES - Insecticides can either get in direct contact with the foraging in the field bees and kill them immidiately or be even more harmful and contaminate the bees, which affects the entire colony.
STRESS - Weather is perhaps the greatest potential source of colony stress. Inclement conditions slow down or stop altogether flow of nectar and pollen into a colony, which leads to starvation. DISEASES - There are two common and devastating honeybee diseases: deformed wing virus (DWV)—which causes wing and abdominal deformities in honeybees, and Nosema ceranae, a fungus that causes intestinal inflammation, among other problems. PREDATORS - Researchers believe the yellow legged or Asian hornet – a predator of honey bees and other beneficial insects which lurks outside hives to kill bees when they return from foraging – could rapidly colonise Britain.
Hyper-realistic rendering of a honey bee.
Wyss Institute, Harvard: Researchers at the Wyss Institute of Harvard are developing RoboBees that can perform multiple roles in agriculture or disaster relief. The lab’s breakthroughs in manufacturing, materials and design have allowed for the RoboBee to weigh less that one-tenth of a gram, and flies using artificial muscles compromised of materials that contract when a voltage is applied.
Walmart: US supermarket giant is seeking to patent technology that would see drones pollinate crops like bees. The company is looking to revolutionise farming processes with the use of robotic alternatives to bees. The system of unmanned aerial vehicles will use cameras and sensors to find the location of crops and move pollen between them by an applicator tool.
Digital model of a honey bee.
background info
GOVAN 2067 Work isn’t working anymore. Since the financial crisis;13.5 million people are living in low-income households, unemployment is rising, hours worked increasing yet incomes are going down and inequality grows more extreme It is estimated that 30% of UK jobs could potentially be automated away by the early 2030s. In 50 years that will only increase and in that case what will we do? The solution doesn’t lie in just giving people any job. in a world of machines able to do an increasing amount of work better than us, the work would be increasingly pointless We must prepare ourselves for the Exodus from ‘work based society’. We need new ideas for our society, and to get there we have to ask the big questions about how we want our lives to be and strive for the future of work we want. Our masterplan looks forward 50 years to this post-work society where automation of jobs has risen, where does this leave Govan? A lot of Govan today is poor, deprived, unemployed, unskilled, not in education and therefore causing some to turn to crime. (With a seemingly never-ending system of austerity in place challenging times lie ahead) Our “GOVAN 2067” masterplan imagines a society that tries to solve these upcoming problems: 1. take advantage of bitcoin mining and trading to give people of Govan a steady universal basic income and help people survive; 2. With automation replacing the need for low skilled workers, people need education and learn skills to prosper. Our plan offers people a mode of living to achieve that life; 3. Our buildings form the backbone of this new society by helping Govan become self-sufficient, looking after itself in terms of security and maintenance and creating new cultural hubs as civic gathering spaces. In general terms, controlling, generating and celebrating.
The Motherboard A metaphor of the Automation The motherboard project looks at Govan as a complete working system. The blocks form the microchips of the board, the routes are the connections in which flows the energy generated by the new residents of Govan.
development stages 4. generate the Superblock grid and introduce activity belts ○ as housing stock degrades, gradually replace with superblock based perimeter blocks ○ this attempts to retain existing community ties ○ Northern and Southern belts become hubs for cultural and technological projects respectively ○ educational facilities to put the knowledge foundations of the new society in place
3. key civic buildings & connecting avenues ○ the proposed facilities reflect the different aspects of the new lifestyle ○ group’s facilities are anchored to the new avenues and become the focal points of new Govan ○ three main avenues are introduced to connect the Southern and Northern belts
2. retained architectural heritage ○ the new layout for Govan respects the important historical buildings and spreads accordingly ○ use existing features and infrastructure as boundaries for the masterplan ○ multiple historical buildings to be repurposed in order to fit the new lifestyle
1. original Govan site ○ Govan in it’s prime projected a good housing density of perimeter blocks ○ large part of the housing stock is now vacant and multiple buildings have been demolished but not replaced which leaves a fragmented Govan ○ the latest infrastructure changes of Govan disrupted the historic centre’s routes and pattern.
Pre to Post-Utopia Govan Programme
Church
School
Industry
Church replaced by faith in utopia and culture
Emergency Services
Park
Schools re-emerge as cultural institutions
Programmatically redundant
Detached Housing
Supermarket
More automated to maintain and run utopia
Hubs for leisure
Library
Replaced by communal housing
Replaced by automated delivery systems
Community Centre
Town Hall
Important gathering hubs
Major cultural gathering space
Sports Stadiums
Bank
Replaced as civic leisure institutions
Town Hall
Transport Station
Museum
Bars/Nightlife
Automated tram system
Programmatically redundant
Major cultural gathering space
Leisure spaces to celebrate utopia
The Synthetic Apiary The Synthetic Apiary explores the idea of a symbiosis between technology and nature. It studies, develops and generates autonomous robotic bees in order to try and reverse the decline of honey bee population in recent years. The facility will accommodate Govaners who are interested in dealing with the sustainability-related challenges facing the technology advanced society. It will also contribute to the self-sustained agenda of Govan 2067 by pollinating the surrounding flora and producing organic bee products.
Automaton A community hub for digital culture. It is there for the community - all ages, all visitors and tourists. It is the proverbial heart of govan- where people come together, a modern forum if you like. It fosters positive and engaging relationship between ordinary people and technology. So that instead of dystopia, it promotes utopia.
Drone Center
A group of municipal buildings municipal buildings which help run and maintain Govan using drones. The group of buildings have distinct functions each aimed to a different Govan resident in effort to widen the scope and be able to affect a larger amount of people. However, the civic spaces it creates are open to all. The building becomes a central landmark for Govan which sits at the intersection of two main avenues. Its site representing its fundamental function as part of the new masterplan. The building controls the inner workings of Govan to allow this new lifestyle to occur.
the synthetic apiary automaton
drone center
the evolution of technology across generations
masterplan organisation
Perimeter block
Super block
• Red Vienna style housing inspired by tenement blocks
• Central green space/ square where they can display/exhibit/play
• Housing becomes more communal with shared facilities
• Customisable to what they want to do
• Each block has spaces to create cultural product, workshops etc.
• Helps facilitate a cultural explosion where each block is dynamic and lively Circulation • Main transport routes on edges of superblock • Inner block for resident activities
Block variations , which will create a diversity of routes and interconnections, as well as optimise the characted of the surrounding amenity spaces.
new lifestyle user profiles
User Profile 1
JACKIE K. 42, Govan
User Profile 2
ROBERT F. 34, Govan
User Profile 3
David M.
25, Govan
LIFESTYLE Artist/ Creator
LIFESTYLE Engineer/ Father/ Nature Lover
LIFESTYLE Town Hall Worker/Drone Controller
INTERESTS Dedicating time to creative intrerests, freedom to work, independence, chance to develop mastery of craft
INTERESTS Innovation, microelectromechanical (MEMs) technologies, organic food
INTERESTS Identity from running the new society, purpose and fulfillment in seeing their work enjoyed by everyone.
ROUTINE Freed from work and 8 hour day schedule
ROUTINE Makes breakfast for family and neighbours
ROUTINE Wakes up in communal block
Wakes up in communal block
Volunteers in block’s gardens maintenance
Works in Drone Control Centre
Coffee in communal kitchen, speaks to neighbours
Takes care of his physical health
Serves human’s innate desire for power & maintaining order
Works on her film project in one of block’s studios Takes walk around Drone Hill and neighbouring superblocks for inspiration Goes to cultural centre for friend’s film premiere and later arts discussion Works all night painting after inspiring debate
Supports the automation of gardening processes Works in the Synthetic Apiary and designs the microchip for the Bee AI Picks up children from school and helps them with homework Initiates communal tours in the Synthetic Apiary and promotes urban beekeeping.
Preserves virtues such as responsibility, agency, and industriousness Attends son’s and community’s theatre class Has dinner with friends and family to relax after a hard days work Puts children to bed
Contextual transformation The Synthetic Apiary will replace a former warehouse, part of the Shipyard. It sits on one of the main avenues of ‘Govan 2067’ , connecting the technology-oriented belt with the green Northern belt. The symbiosis that it generates turns it into a symbol of the clash between organic and artificial. As part of the masterplan, the former ship industry buildings will be repurposed into organic farms that will contribute to the self-sustained characted of new Govan. While the industry in the area used to cause the pollution of the surrounding nature, the new masterplan inverts the situation into an environmentally responsible
Orchard ○ the Synthetic Apiary will be responsible for
pollinating all flowering species not only in Govan, but the majority of Glasgow. Water Recycling ○ the dock will be converted into a water recycling plant, which will distribute clean water to the surrounding facilities. The surface will be covered with landscaping in order to create a continuous promenade on the riverfront. Vertical Farming ○ the remaining shipyard warehouse will be repurposed into vertical farms. Contextual Situation ○ the building is place on the south edge of the existing dock, which eliminates any potential overshading. Perimeter Blocks ○ the residential area of Govan will be redensified with modern perimeter block-type of housing. Elder Park ○ the park is one of the cultural heritages of Govan and will be preserved in its current shape. ○ new, flowering type of vegetation will be introduced in its grounds, which will contribute to the production of the Synthetic Apiary.
Current Govan ○ the Synthetic Apiary could be autonomously built regardless of the success of the masterplan.
building programme
development centre The primary function of the facility is to study, develop & generate robotic bees. In order to do that, this section of the building accommodates the whole range of required spaces in order to complete a full production cycle. This translated into steps would be: 1. observation and data collection 2. data processing 3. algorithm development 4. microchip production 5. physical body manufacturing 6. assembly 7. testing 8. introduction to a real environment 9. observation, acknowledgement and optimization
bee sanctuary Inspired by the Synthetic Apiary project, the highlight of the building becomes a controlled space which allows honey bees to thrive year-round. As a result, the functioning of the building would not be affected by seasonal or climate changes and will allow for a consistent observation of the cooperation between the natural and the synthetic bees. The only conditions required for the space to function are light, humidity and temperature.
Beekeeping The secondary function of the facility is to sustain a number of bee colonies which will be sufficient to supply Govan. A comprehensive use of the facility would involve the following functions: 1. honey production: 40 beehives will be privately kept for the facility inside the main space, which are expected to produce an approximate of 1000 kgs of honey early (an average of 25kgs per hive). 2. native black bees: all the beehives will become a home to native black bees, which are considered almost extinct in the UK, but are much better adapted to the local climate. Restoring their population could be the key to reversing the dramatic decline of honey bee population across the UK. 3. propolis: the product has been extensively used in traditional and alternative medicine across the whole world. A section of the facility will be used to analise, confirm and popularise the use of propolis for multiple health-related benefits.
Community Involvement The ‘Synthetic Apiary’ will aim to revolutionise the traditional methods of dealing with issue like communityfragmentation and antisocial behaviour by promoting a new type of lifestyle which unites people with similar interests. The facility will allow its visitors to experience, acknowledge and actively participate in the project in various forms. The ‘Bee Sanctuary’ becomes a public space, similar to a botanic garden with bee-friendly flora. If interested, public will be able to learn and then keep a dedicated hive, essentially becoming urban beekeepers under constant supervision.
‘The Synthetic Apiary’ A research project at the MIT Media Lab which explores the possibility of a controlled space in which seasonal honeybees can thrive year-round. Light, humidity, and temperature are engineered to simulate a perpetual spring environment. Bees are provided with synthetic pollen and sugared water, and evaluated regularly for health and wellbeing. In this initial experiment, humans and honeybees co-habitate,enabling natural cultivation in an artificial space across scales, from organism- to building-scale.
bee background
Travel Radius
â—‹ a honey bee would be able to cover
nearly the whole territory of Glasgow.
conceptual development The main idea for the facility was to create and artificial space that accommodates experimental honey bees. This would require environment that provides ideal conditions for bees to be able to work, which means ideal temperature, humidity and light. Such space however would very well fit the purpose of a permanently pleasent amenity space for the residents and visitors of Govan.
Gateway to Govan
The initial idea began with a giant canopy which forms a constantly sunny bee & human park and opens up new routes which highlight the local church as an architectural heritage.
progress sketches
the synthetic apiary
Ground Floor Plan Scale 1:250
The ground floor is mainly dedicated to the development centre and takes any visitors on an upward journey.
First Floor Plan Scale 1:250
The first floor becomes the meeting point for public and private and offers a variety of activities to contribute to the new life.
The lobby marks the beginning of the journey inside the synthetic apiary. The hexagonal pattern of the ceiling implies the purpose of the building. One can get a glimpse of the erecting apiary tower and is taken upstairs where community focused functions are performed.
roof/ garden space
first floor lobby
An organic sculpture of flowing honey which accommodates the elevator and acts as a piece of furniture.
ground floor
Ceiling grid
the grid of the ceiling follows the structural and spatial grid of the base of the building and consists of prefabricated hexagonal components which act as beams and contain services and lighting solution, covered by a metal panel. The finish changes according to the space underneath, turning into a sterile white above the laboratories.
Choice of primary materials
a hybrid construction between CLT and Glulam would allow for prefabrication of aesthetically pleasing exposed structure, Both materials shine with impressive strength and while Glulam would allow for manufacturing of extremely long, continuous columns, CLT is ideal for wall and slab construction
Cross-Laminated Timber(CLT)
prefabricated CLT slabs and walls will allow for a quick on-site assembly. Producing timber building components consumes only 50% of the energy required to produce concrete and a mere 1% of that needed to produce steel.
Glued Laminated Timber(Glulam)
By laminating a number of smaller pieces of lumber, a single large, strong, structural member is manufactured from smaller pieces. These structural members will be used as vertical columns and prefabricated hexagonal beam-like ceiling system which will be exposed.
Architect Spotlight Thomas Heatherwick The Vessel, New York, USA
The building presents the idea of a landmark that could be climbed and explored. The structural and circulation system has drawn inspiration from the Ancient Stepwells of India. It is composed of 154 flights and rises up to 46 metres tall, projecting 80 platforms arranged around its perimeter.
Section A-A Scale 1:200
CLT slab a prefabricated CLT slab with a concrete screed laid into it. Steel Structure diagonally-bracing, hexagonshaped I-beams, filled in with wood planks. Lift up a central platform lift will take you up to the heart of the tower Stack up prefabricated concrete components which perfectly stack in a 16-sided periferal shape, creating a hexagonal effect in elevation and setting up the flight angle for the surrounding staircase. A Room for a Bee each component will contain a pair of prefabricated bee hives, which allow you to observe any action inside the hive.
Lookout Space the end of the journey up the tower ends on a platform, where you can sit and spectate the whole city. Conditions an exposition of a bee colony hiving in three different environments formed by the gallery form: gravity, centrifugal & pressure.
Second Floor Plan Scale 1:250 the second floor is divided into an external space, planted in scottish heather, and an internal space which becomes a botanic garden and forms the base of the Bee Sanctuary. It will be planted with year-round blooming species, which maintain a flow of honey production throughout a whole year.
External Canopy
The external structure consists of glulam timber structure covered in timber curtain wall system that achieves a good level of thermal control inside the space. The top ring acts as a gutter and will have an incorporated ventilation system. The central piece is formed by a lightweight space frame. A UV filter to be applied to the glass.
Glulam Structure
27 metre long glued laminated timber columns will hold the whole structure up and transfer some of the load from the canopy above. Due to their excessive length, the columns might require water transportation through the river Clyde. The columns will support a drainage system along themselves.
A Spiral Journey
A steel structure spiral staircase willl be suspended from a secondary glulam structure. It will also be supported in multiple points by a tertiary structure which connects the secondary and the primary structure (the tower) and stiffens it.
Bee Sanctuary Operation
The botanic gardens will be operating according to the climate conditions to ensure a pleasent experience for both bees and visitors.
sunny day
rainy day
night
A Spiral Journey
The staircase will take one on a journey around the Synthetic Apiary, introducing break-out watching platforms. Once the top is reached, a view of the whole city would open up.
Pressure Gallery
The middle floor exhibits a transitional space between the upper and lower galleries by forming a sandclock-like shape which will accommodate a bee collony built under pressure. The shape is penetrated to allow for bees to come out and feed in the gallery.
‘Conditions’
three stories of galleries will exhibit the three different methods of honeycomb architecture: gravity pressure centrifugal
gravity
centrifugal
pressure
Black steel panels
two types of external cladding panels to be prefabricated. One to be used as a solid wall cover, the other becomes an external feature that preserves the regular elevation grid and covers the glazing to ensure privacy and shading.
Current materiality
the former industrial buildings around the areaare predominantly cover in a weather red brick cladding and steel profiles.
Proposed materiality
the new facility will be clad in yellow brick in order to preserve the industrial feeling of the area.
South Elevation Scale 1:500
the building is surrounded by a traditional tenement block on the west side and former shipyard buildings on the east.
West Elevation Scale N/A
Beehive entrance
the entrance of the beehive is a narrow strip on the bottom of the front elevation. This tiny opening helps the bees to maintain the temperature inside the hive and protects them from unwanted visitors.
Architect Spotlight Bjarke Ingels
Google Headquarters, California, USA The dane in collaboration with Thomas Heatherwick have submitted plans for new campus. The architects state: “Large translucent canopies will cover each site, controlling the climate inside yet letting in light and air. With trees, landscaping, cafes, and bike paths weaving through these structures, we aim to blur the distinction between our buildings and nature.�
Architect Spotlight Tokujin Yoshioka Allen Center, Houston, USA
Tokujin Yoshioka has suspended 17,700 acrylic rods in the lobby of a skyscraper, creating a huge sculpture designed to resemble a cloud. Using 3,540 barely-visible cables, the 17,700 colourless rods are hung from the roof and stacked together in a formation that – from a distance – is designed to resemble a cloud.
Architect Spotlight Rafael Moneo
Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain Rafael Moneo designed two cubes made of translucent glass as if they were “two beached rocks”, with the aim of “perpetuating the geography and , as far as it was possible, emphasizing the harmony between the natural and the artificial.”