Many of the materials that we use in architecture today are rather static. For this reason, some buildings and even cities suffer. Venice, for instance, is sinking. The good news; however, is that people like Rachel Armstrong are coming up with new and innovative solutions — like architecture constructed from living systems.

Armstrong is working on metabolic materials for architecture. She is in the process of uncovering how nature operates so that, as architects, we can begin to solve design problems from the bottom-up. Instead of imposing structure upon matter (which she claims is the old approach), we can begin to use materials that actually can grow, self repair, and respond to environmental changes.

By studying such living systems, like cells, Rachel Armstrong is finding answers so that we can use metabolic materials within our built forms. She notes that, in the future, people will not be able to tell whether certain built forms have been made by natural or artificial means.

Architecture Is a Living System

I see great use for such materials in the evolution of architecture and its technology. Building maintenance is a very important factor involving not just the beauty of built form, but its function.

The notion of “surface” is becoming an ever-more important part of architecture; for it is with surfaces that we are gaining ability to do more. Such architectural “faces” are a critical key to helping our buildings meet the sometimes harsh external environments.

The following is a video where Armstrong explains her work and theories in greater detail.

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