A study of the orography, the elevated terrain of Torre Baro. The Orographic precipitation, also known as relief precipitation, is generated by a forced upward movement of air upon encountering a physiographic upland. This is resulted by the anabatic or upward vertical propagation of warm moist air up an orographic slope caused by daytime heating of the mountain barrier surface. By adding isolation to the surface to create a controlled directional flow of moisture and heat, enabling the typography to act as a machineless greenhouse.

Using tensile structures in the Form finding process enables flexibility and free manipulation of spaces to hack the terrain. In this case, forming an entirely new typography of its own providing the necessary structure for movement of air, humidity and water. These elements are essential for the greenhouse to function in a harmonious manner without the aid of any mechanical elements.

The concept of «Propagation» is dominent in this project. Consequently, the use of propagation for plants, a method of «Horticultural Cloning» using precise cutting techniques. Further exploration of these methods have been proven highly productive for commercial agriculture of various types of produce. This project will demonstrate the integration of propagating plants, natural elements and form to hack nature.

The project deals with generating energy from living plants. This is possible due to devices called microbial fuel cells that turn chemical energy into electrical. This whole process starts with the plant. The plant produces bio-convertible substrate, such as glucose, during the process of photosynthesis and releases it in the ground through root system. Certain bacteria types present in the soil act as catalysts, meaning they turn this substrate into CO2, protons and electrons. The earlier mentioned devices are capable of harvesting part of this chemical energy, by collecting electrons, and converting it into electrical energy.

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Material System

Form Finding

The experiment concluded that certain balloon-like volumes could be used to shape underground root systems. In the same way that vertical strings are following balloon surface, roots are following nutrients paths. And hence, this makes the roots denser at soil spots between balloons. Defining these hotspots several levels below the ground could potentially generate more electricity, gained from one square meter of plants. The project is based on the specificity of the Switch Grass plant that has a long and dense root system reaching 2.5 m in depth, thus allowing more levels for harvesting energy. Besides shaping the roots, balloons are collecting water on surface above the ground and conducting it into the soil, ensuring the anaerobic characteristic of it. Furthermore, other type of balloons act as electricity harvesters containing surface as ion-exchange membrane and cathode compartment inside the balloon, that captures electrons from anode compartment in soil.

Quantitatively speaking, 1 square meter of plants in this system could produce electrical energy up to 0.0200kWh a day, meaning it could charge approximately 3 smartphones in a day.

The modular Tensegrity structure will be hanging over the site and develops as the plants grow. The transforming factor is in the weight of the plants. The structure will be located in the Torre Baró Energy District in Barcelona.

Material System

The structure of the project is based on tensegrity, it contains isolated opposable structural beams which under tension expand into a three-dimensional structure. The module forms an icosahedron, which contains 6 struts and 24 tensile elements. The transformable element of the structure allows it to collapse for easy transportation, and expand to increase maximum spatial capacity for plant growth. The beams will support the structure while simultaneously support the plants and the aeroponics system.

developing model

Aeroponic Systems

Aeroponics replace the soil with a nutrient solution allowing plants to bloom to their full potential with minimal required space. Suspended by mesh holders, the roots grow downwards from their grow beds into an enclosed repository. Nutrient solution disperses onto the roots through mist nozzles at timed intervals of 35-45 seconds with intermissions of 4-5 minutes. The roots absorb most of the nutrition while the excess drips back into the reservoir. The nutrients can be organically altered for optimum performance, reducing the use of pesticides by 100%, increase yields by 60% and can increase biomass by 80%. However, aeroponics require electricity, during a power outage the system collapses. This can be prevented through daily maintenance.