Biomimicry Drought Structure
With a focus on the arid regions of Namibia, I designed a deployable nomadic structure that aids in the adaptation to warming global temperatures and desertification. Using biomimicry, I chose to draw inspiration for my design from the Nambid beetle living in the Namibia desert. As the fog rolls in, these beetles are able to harvest the water that clings to the air. This harvesting method is known as fog-harvesting behavior. As I began looking into existing biomimicry developments of the Nambid beetle, I came across a fog harvesting mesh that MIT graduate student, Shreerang Chhatre, has developed “A fog-harvesting device consists of a fence-like mesh panel, which attracts droplets, connected to receptacles into which water drips.” His aim behind this fog-harvesting mesh is to help poor villagers collect water in a more efficient way. As temperatures are warming, water is becoming harder to obtain. In arid conditions, many of the people living at the poverty level have to lug water home from wells and streams which could be hours away from their home. I chose to incorporate this mesh netting as a fence that would surround the hut. The fence would be divided into modules that would be able to me moved with ease. Having modular fencing would also allow the individuals to connect fencing creating a larger complex. Focusing in on the hut, I wanted to honor the vernacular architecture found in Namibia. Architecture is intrinsically connected to communities. By integrating their traditional architecture into my design, I am able to expand on the existing cultural features to adapt to the warming world while safeguarding their history. Traditional housing in Namibia is constructed of mud with a thatch roof. I was hoping to make paneling for the hut that was lightweight and transportable. I found a material called Made of Air on MaterialConnextion that is “A carbon-negative building material made of 90% atmospheric CO2. The material is made from waste biomass that has absorbed CO2 during its lifetime, such as plants that naturally absorb CO2 by photosynthesis.” The end material is fire retardant, useable outside, lightweight, recyclable, and can be reformed to fit the needs of the consumer. Though this material’s intended use is to replace MDF boards or thermoplastic, and act as sheathing boards and cladding panels, I believe that a version of this could be created to act as a stand-alone building material to create the paneling for the deployable hut. The roofing of the hut would honor Namibia’s traditional architecture with the use of a thatch roof that is made of local materials. On two of the wall panelings, solar panels would be attached to collect energy for the hut to use, while also growing succulent plants to nourish the inhabitants.
