The skeletons of Euplectella aspergillum sponges are beautifully shaped as well as very delicately looking. They also possess a resilience to load and stress that exceeds all expectations.
This skeleton forms a viable base for a load bearing and highly wind resistant structure, that leaves space for architectural use on the inside. A high-rise residential building was designed with the goal of using these qualities of the sponge in a bionic way.
The inner structure and floor plans follow the cell-structure of dicotyledonous plants, with transport cells (stairs, elevators, ducts) on the inside and larger, more open cells (living, sleeping) on the perimeter.
Using sun analysis tools in grasshopper the yearly amount of sun energy can be analysed for every surface of the building shell. This allows for very intentional placement of organic photovoltaic collectors, which can cover a considerable amount of the building’s energy consumption.
photos of the physical model (ca. 90cm tall)