biomaterial modular block and parametric facade

natura biofacade

type: facade
role: computational designer
collaboration: Estudio Guto Requena
location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
year: 2023

The natura biofacade was carried out in collaboration with the architectural firm Estudio Guto Requena, led by architect Guto Requena. My role involved developing a modular biomaterial block and designing the facade for the flagship store of a large cosmetic group in Rio de Janeiro, utilizing parametric tools.

The foundation of this project lies in research on bioreceptive and bio integrated design, particularly the work of Marcos Cruz at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. The facade was designed to feature a porous, textured, and grooved block, drawing inspiration from the natural growth patterns of organisms like algae and corals. These grooves encourage moss growth, resulting in a continuous pattern across the surface.

RESEARCH

**Reference 3.**
Bee/bird nest and pots
Bird And Bee Friendly Façade, 2020
Material: Ceramic
Designers: Cookfox Architects and Buro
Happold (Workshop Acaw)

BIOMATERIAL MODULAR BLOCK

Module I. 39 x 39 x 8 cm
Block with a thinner thickness allows light to enter when the blocks are rotated.

**Module I. 39 x 39 x 6 / 8** cm
Curvature on the surface adds complexity to the shape.

**Module I.** **Differential growth pattern + moss**
Grooves on the surface to direct the growth of moss and other organisms.

**Module II. 39 x 39 x 21 cm**
Block with a thicker thickness to accommodate plant pots and bee and bird nests.

**Module II. 39 x 39 x 19 / 21 cm**
Hole for placing pots and nests. The pots and nests are 15 cm long, with 5 cm allocated for the structure.

**Module II.** **Differential growth pattern + moss**
The grooves follow a differential growth pattern, simulating the uneven growth of certain living organisms.

parametric facade

Initial curve to create the facade (the distance between the blocks and the building facade varies between 60 cm and 2.0 m).

Extrude (creating a surface with curvature in one direction to facilitate the structure, with straight structural elements).

Elevate part of the surface: create this curve to allow visibility into the store’s interior while maintaining an organic appearance on the facade.

The surface was divided to accommodate 39×39 cm blocks (width and height) with a 2 cm gap.

Generate a mesh to receive the attractor curve responsible for rotating the blocks. The curve only fills the solid areas of the mesh.

The aim was to create the attractor curve through “differential growth” (inspired by rivers).

Thinner blocks – **module I**
Divide the blocks into thicker and thinner ones based on the rotation of the blocks.

Thicker blocks – **module II**
These blocks are designed to accommodate plant pots, bird nests, and bee nests placed randomly.

open source design

The module design can be open source, allowing its mould to be 3D printed in FAB-Labs and produced in other materials such as concrete and ceramics. The blocks can be stacked and combined with the standard 39x19x19cm concrete block, as their dimensions are 39x39x22cm at the thickest part and 39x39x19cm at the thinnest.

team

Creative Director: Guto Requena
Operations Director: Ludovica Leone
Parametric Design: Camila Calegari Marques
Architects: Camila Gonçalves, Daniel Viana, João Vargas, Matheus Fraga
Renders: Studio doisdois