Project Description
This PhD research “Growing Living Islands- an Architectural toolbox” is exploring methods for developing symbiotic islands that adapt to the environment, living organisms and people’s needs. The research combines artificial island construction, artificial reef construction and environmental assessment to develop conceptual methods for constructing islands based on the environment first and then on peoples’ needs.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
This PhD research is focusing on the Small Island Developing States and particular it uses as case studies the Maldives and the atoll islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Outcomes to Date
This project is developing an Architectural design toolbox that can be used as a methodology to grow islands in the Tropics. Up to now there have been many publications associated with this research. This month we have organised a workshop at the Maldives with local representatives.
Project Significance
This research is exploring the concept of Living Architecture that combines living organisms in the design as fundamental elements of the structure. The goal is to enhance the growth and adaptation of the living organisms and particular corals and to create structures that self-grow, self-adapt and self-maintained at the SIDS. By combining ecology and architecture this research respond to various goals developed by the UN. First, it explores the adaptation of coral reefs to sea-level changes by developing bio-enhance structures that enhance the growth of corals. Then it explored design strategies that adapt to sea-level changes such as floating structures. The research is also focusing on the production of material found on site to reduce any CO2 emissions associated with the transportation of the materials. Moreover, this research is associated with the reduce of poverty, reuse of waste material, protection and enhancement of the ecosystem, creation of living spaces for people.