Meta-prosthesis⁠

Summary

The Mehta prosthesis project explores the adaptive features of sea creatures, focusing on shallow fish, jellyfish, and gastropods. It investigates their unique geometries and construction techniques, drawing parallels with modern 3D printing technologies. The project aims to develop a performative architecture that addresses environmental challenges in Lanzarote, using local materials like sand and volcanic ash. Through advanced printing methods, the design enhances thermal performance and ecological sustainability, creating a landscape that rehabilitates the ecosystem while providing therapeutic spaces. The integration of parametric design and responsive strategies showcases innovative possibilities in architectural practice.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Mehta prosthesis project is inspired by the adaptive features of sea creatures, aiming to explore spatial possibilities for innovative designs.
• 🐠 The first chapter investigates shallow fish and bioluminescent jellyfish, highlighting their survival strategies and interactions with their environment.
• 🔦 Jellyfish utilize bioluminescence as a defense mechanism, emitting light to confuse predators through a chemical reaction with oxygen.
• 🐚 The gastropod shell is studied for its unique structure, consisting of three layers that vary in texture, which helps the creature survive in competitive environments.
• 🛠️ The project also explores advanced construction methods, drawing parallels between the natural growth of shells and modern 3D printing technologies.
• 🌱 The second chapter examines the geometries of shells and their potential applications in innovative architecture and material science.
• 🏗️ Hybrid printing methods are proposed to combine various techniques, allowing for more flexibility and creativity in architectural design.
• 🌋 Lanzarote is chosen as a site for experimentation due to its rich geology, where local materials like sand and volcanic ash are utilized in construction.
• 🌞 Solar sintering technology is introduced to create layered structures, reflecting the cultural context of Lanzarote while enhancing material performance.
• 🌬️ The project addresses environmental challenges on the island, such as respiratory diseases from sandstorms, by developing therapeutic landscapes that utilize local resources.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Mehta prosthesis project?

The Mehta prosthesis project explores spatial possibilities inspired by sea creatures, aiming to develop highly articulate envelopes that adapt to harsh environments.

What are the three subjects investigated in the first chapter of the project?

The first chapter investigates shallow fish, bioluminescent jellyfish, and gastropods, focusing on their unique adaptations and survival strategies.

How do jellyfish utilize bioluminescence?

Jellyfish produce light through a reaction with oxygen, which helps confuse predators by emitting thousands of glowing particles into the water.

What role does the gastropod shell play in their survival?

Gastropod shells provide a continuous surface that helps protect them from predators, and their geometry is crucial for survival in competitive environments.

What innovative printing technologies are discussed in relation to shell construction?

The project discusses various printing methods, including fixed machines and robotic 3D printing, which allow for the creation of structures based on the natural growth patterns of shells.

What materials were sourced from Lanzarote for the project?

Materials sourced from Lanzarote include sand, salts, volcanic ash, and kelp, chosen for their potential use in the building industry.

How does solar sintering contribute to the project's goals?

Solar sintering involves using a large Fresnel lens to concentrate sunlight and melt silica in sand to build structures layer by layer, reflecting the local culture of Lanzarote.

What environmental issues does the project aim to address?

The project aims to tackle respiratory diseases caused by sand storms and the decline in salt production, both linked to particle exposure.

How does the project propose to manipulate environmental factors?

The project aims to control porosity, density, thickness, roughness, and transparency of building envelopes through hybridized printing techniques to improve environmental regulation.

What are the expected benefits of the proposed architectural designs?

The proposed designs are expected to blur the boundaries between artificial and natural environments, enhance heat retention, and promote vegetation growth, creating multifunctional and therapeutic spaces.