Aeroponic assemblies

For the last few weeks of Ecological Tectonics studio we paired up and were aimed to create a facade system that aids in an area of ecological research. My partner Cassiana Mefrige and I chose to create a facade that acts as habitat for non human species as well as creating microclimate cooling effects. This project consists of two dwellings linked by a shared, communal living and dining space. The architecture is organized by a system of columns that serve both as structure and enclosure, supporting the building but also creating a series of exterior courtyards for both humans and more-than-human species of plants and animals. The columns are clad in 3D printed ceramic modules that help to regulate thermal conditions and are optimized to support habitat for Spanish Moss, a common epiphyte in New Orleans that typically grows on trees but can also attach to artificial structures. The moss habitats help to reduce humidity, support ecological diversity, and create cooler microclimates that help address the urban heat island effect by absorbing moisture, providing shade, and increasing albedo. The project explores how the architectural typology of the column might take on a more active role in ecological and climatic processes.