Tenth Annual Science Studies Symposium

Hypernatural: Architecture's New Relationship with Nature”

Marc Swackhamer, School of Architecture, University of Minnesota

Abstract: Recent decades have witnessed the increasing popularity of nature-focused movements in architecture, such as sustainability, biophilia, biomimicry, biodesign, and emergent design. These movements are dramatically altering the relationship between the designed environment and the natural world, and although overlaps exist, there is no common discourse that unites these areas of study. A holistic framework is therefore needed to address these disparate areas of inquiry, the full spectrum of their operations, and their common goals and methodologies. This talk will address the ways in which architectural designers increasingly work directly with natural processes—rather than against them—in order to amplify, extend, or exceed natural capacities.

3:30–5:00 p.m. Friday, February 2nd, 2018
155 NicholsonHall, University of Minnesota

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