natura biomaterial facade

The NATURA BIOMATERIAL FACADE was carried out in collaboration with the architectural firm Estudio Guto Requena under the coordination of architect Guto Requena. My role involved developing a modular biomaterial block and designing the facade for Natura’s flagship store in Rio de Janeiro, utilizing parametric tools.

phase 1 - biomaterial blocks

For a flagship project in the beauty sector, a 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.

2. Curvature on the surface adds complexity to the shape and reduces the height to a standard 39x19x19 cm brick.

3. Hole for placing plant pots and bird and bee nests (2 modules).

4. Grooves on the surface to direct the growth of moss and other organisms. The grooves follow a differential growth pattern, simulating the uneven growth of certain living organisms.

5. Placement of plant pots and bird and bee nests. The pots and nests are 15 cm long, with 5 cm allocated for the structure.

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. His research demonstrates that rough surfaces provide an optimal anchoring system for spores, while airborne dust settles in a consistent natural growth pattern.

POIKILOHYDRIC LIVING WALLS
MATERIAL: MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE CONCRETE (MPC)
MANUFACTURE: CNC MOULD
RESEARCHER: MARCOS CRUZ
UNIVERSITY: THE BARTLETT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, UCL, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
YEAR: 2016-2019

In this six-year research project, the author investigates the relationship between plants such as algae, lichens, mosses, and different types of concrete to understand bioreceptive design better. Divided into three phases, the study tests various forms of magnesium phosphate concrete (MPC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC), along with new materials such as “TecCast poroso” and Corkcrete. TecCast is a blend that includes OPC and fibreglass, with a particularly porous version used in this study. Concrete is a mixture of OPC and cork. The study concludes that chemical residues from MPC composition and high porosity do not seem to favour the growth of algae, lichens, and mosses. These plants could grow on OPC panels due to a design that allows water accumulation and low porosity, highlighting the importance of a design that maximizes surface area for the bio-receptivity of concrete panels.

Marcos Cruz’s research also indicates that roughness creates an ideal anchoring system for settling spores and airborne dust. Marcos also suggests a mirrored or negative geometry where these species can grow, creating a continuous natural growth pattern. For example, shadowed areas, protective zones, crevices that retain dust and nutrients, and water channels are typological variables found in tree bark that provide particular conditions on the material’s surface, facilitating or restricting growth.

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.

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.

phase 2 - parametric facade

By combining the unique block design with parametric techniques, we achieved a range of variations in size, rotation, and curvature, resulting in a facade that interacts dynamically with nature.

1. Initial curve to create the facade: curvature in plan to add complexity (the distance between the blocks and the building facade varies between 60 cm and 2.0 m).

2. Extrude and convert into a SUBD: loft of 6.5 m upwards (the idea was to create a surface with curvature in one direction to facilitate the structure, with straight structural elements).

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

4. Divide the surface and position the planes usually: the surface was divided to accommodate 39×39 cm blocks (width and height) with a 2 cm gap between each.

5. Generate a solid mesh in the areas we want to close and empty in the more visible areas. This way, the curve does not extend into the empty regions; the further the curve is from the mesh, the more the planes rotate.

6. The aim was to create the curve through “differential growth” (inspired by rivers) that only fills the solid areas of the mesh. In Rhino, the curve was adjusted manually to align with the planes.

7. Thinner blocks: division of blocks into thicker and thinner ones based on the rotation of the planes. Blocks closer to 0 degrees are thicker, and those closer to 90 degrees are thinner.

8. Thicker blocks: These blocks are designed to accommodate plant pots, bird nests, and bee nests (the module is identical but has a hole for the pots/nests placed randomly).

9. Facade with the blocks. Adjusting the angle value changes the number of thick or thin blocks (0 to 20 degrees are thicker, and 20 to 90 degrees are thinner).

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