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Architects are Making Heroes of Hexagonal Forms
CategoriesArchitecture

Architects are Making Heroes of Hexagonal Forms

By Zarkon Group,

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter. 

From molecules to beehives to large basalt columns, the hexagonal shape is commonly found in both organic and inorganic objects. The shape is also considered one of the most efficient ways of covering a surface, given that a hexagonal grid uses the least amount of separating walls. Using nature as inspiration, architects are now designing with hexagonal forms in both horizontal and vertical planes.

Some embrace these six-sized shapes as a foundation for planning and others to create decorative walls. The hexagon allows radial organization as well as flat surfaces. A honeycomb-like grid can also be built upon or broken down into a triangular grid, while a hexagonal shape also lends itself to a larger number of external surfaces. While not the most conventional form, some architects have shown how the shape can be used to plan and transform spaces.

Images by Jaime Navarro

Liverpool Insurgentes Department Store by Rojkind Arquitectos, Mexico City, Mexico

When expanding, a department store in Mexico City has to reconsider the traditional big-box model in order to attract more traffic and make a bolder statement. To do so, Rojkind Arquitectos created a façade that interacts with the environment around and lets passersby look into the building. The new scheme includes a network of differently sized hexagons that overlap, combine and open up to create a pattern that looks like it is animated. Made using fiberglass, steel, aluminum and glass, the arrangement plays with transparency to create translucent walls in spaces as well as large openings to show parts of certain stores.

Images by Zhang Chao

HEX-SYS by OPEN Architecture, Guangdong, China

Given the need for short-term real estate show spaces, the firm conceptualized a sustainable typology that can grow to adapt to different programs; it can also be dismantled after use or transported and assembled again. The form takes inspiration from traditional Chinese wooden building systems. The system comprises 430 square feet hexagonal cells that can be arranged into different configurations based on the program. The inverted umbrella-like roofs also collect rainwater for use on-site. Within the cells there are three typologies — transparent, enclosed and peripheral cells — to cater to different functions.

Josefine/ Roxy Club by Fred Mafra, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Fred Mafra moved away from regular hexagons to a more elongated version to create dramatic walls for this nightclub. The shape is also used in different versions and sizes along with other prismatic elements throughout the two fools of the club. The 100+ hexagons not only hide the structural framework supporting them but also act as an illuminating element. The embedded LED system is connected to a video pixel mapping program that helps change the colors of these lights.

Image by Sergio Gomez

Image by Iwan Baan

Orquideorama by plan:b, Medellín, Colombia

Much like a tree, this project is a series of hexagonal canopies that contain a central module with six other modules growing from it. Its spread makes it seem like an organic design despite its geometric nature. The central module stands on a twisted column that expels hot air and funnels rainwater. The system allows repetition, growth and the ability to build around the trees on the site to avoid damaging them. The layering of wooden strips also gives it lightness and transparency.

Images by Purnesh Dev Nikhanj

Hexalace by Studio Ardete, PB, India

The building’s unique façade was a way to exercise creatively when the restrictive plan prevented the team from doing so. In addition to being a showstopper, the exterior also serves as a buffer from the extreme climate. The façade comprises a 3-inch later of concrete with hexagonal cutouts to create shaded balconies and windows. Over this base is a network of white hexagonal frames that act as balcony railings in certain parts of the surface. The introduction of plants on these balconies adds pops of color to this system and makes the concrete slab come to life.

Aron R&D Center by Osamu Morishita Architect & Associates, Aichi, Japan

The brief was to create a space that acts as a research lab and also promotes new ideas. Drawing inspiration from the cloud and virtual networks, the studio envisioned a hexagonal grid that facilitates the easy connection of internal spaces. This framework allows users to transform interior spaces according to their needs. The 27 hexagonal towers placed on equally spaced vertices in the grid act as green pockets and introduce light and fresh air into the interior spaces. Additionally, the building features a solar energy system, heat reservoirs, passive cooling systems and rainwater collection mechanisms. The hexagonal form is also replicated in furniture throughout the building.

Hive by OPENIDEAS ARCHITECTS, Surat, India

A variety of different hexagonal patterns strategically placed on the walls of this home turn it into a sensorial delight. The sun’s path and climate were some of the governing factors in this design. The v-shape opening up towards green spaces as well as a green oof that provides thermal insulation are just two such examples. The star of the show is a solar-sensor-based honeycomb façade. Some hexagons in the 3D lattice automatically open and close to maintain ideal thermal conditions within the home. To complement these walls, hexagonal patterns at different scales are also incorporated on other exterior surfaces across the home.

East China Normal University Affiliated Bilingual Kindergarten by Scenic Architecture, Shanghai, China

The courtyard is a very significant element in traditional Chinese architecture. It stands as a space for the family to gather and connect and also brings in fresh air and light into the home. The firm wanted to provide this element of comfort and a connection with nature to the children in this kindergarten. Following the sun’s path, the team added hexagonal shapes to the western side to maximize natural light within. A honeycomb pattern follows along the site with a series of courtyards and terraces breaking up the mass. The greater number of surfaces in every independent module also helps bridge the connection between the interior and exterior throughout the structure.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter. 

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Innovation and SDG 4: Quality education
CategoriesSustainable News

Innovation and SDG 4: Quality education

By Zarkon Group,

There is no shortage of research demonstrating how vital education is for a wide variety of social and economic outcomes. For example, one additional school year can increase a woman’s earnings by 10 to 20 per cent, and each year of education reduces the risk of conflict by 20 per cent. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of young people completing upper secondary school increased from 54 per cent in 2015 to 58 per cent in 2020. While these figures demonstrate progress, this rate of improvement actually represents a slowdown from the preceding five-year period. And even before the pandemic, projections showed that only 60 per cent of young people would be completing upper secondary education in 2030, indicating a pronounced deceleration in educational progress.

If progress was slowing even before COVID-19 swept the globe, early indications suggest that the pandemic has had a significant detrimental effect on educational outcomes. Figures from UNICEF show that school closures have resulted in 2 trillion hours of lost in-person learning globally. And the impact is likely to be felt the most in low-income countries, with the United Nations expecting a spike in school drop-outs in the coming years. 

Against this backdrop, efforts to improve access to education for all age groups are more important than ever, and innovation can play an important role.

Access to schooling

Access to schooling is an obvious place to start a discussion of innovation and education. But the years before a child reaches school age are particularly important for their development. Despite this, only one in five children are enrolled in pre-primary education in low-income countries. In Uzbekistan, educational authorities are using converted buses to bring pre-school classes to the most remote communities.

Participation rates improve once a child reaches primary school age, even in low-income countries. Nonetheless, access to schools can be challenging in many regions, with children required to walk for hours to attend lessons. A non-profit in Madagascar is addressing this issue with 3D-printed schools that can be located closer to homes. 

University-level education is the most exclusive of all, with affordability acting as a key barrier to access. For example, in some Southeast Asian countries, the average cost of a university education is nearly double GDP per capita. A Singapore-based startup aims to provide students with affordable financing options by partnering directly with universities to offer subsidised installment plans.

Diversity and inclusion

Education is not only about ensuring children attend class, it’s also about creating an environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. School can be particularly challenging for migrant children who face cultural as well as language barriers. For example, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are over three years behind non-migrant pupils on average. One Danish startup has developed a language-learning app that helps migrant children navigate differences between their own culture and the culture of their new home.

Learning differences

Inclusion is also of critical importance for students with learning differences. According to UNICEF, only 36 per cent of adolescents with disabilities complete lower secondary education. In response, innovators are developing tools that are tailored to the needs of non-traditional learners. One personalised learning platform offers tailored programmes, and connects students with educators who can provide individualised support. Meanwhile, another startup has developed a voice-based learning app that is specifically designed for those with reading and writing difficulties.

Adult learning

Education isn’t only about children. Target 4.4 within SDG 4, focuses on the importance of technical and vocational skills for youth and adults. On-the-job training is one focus for innovators. For example, a Paris-based startup has leveraged artificial intelligence to develop a human-first employee learning platform.

Adult learning is particularly important for those who find themselves displaced as a result of wars and natural disasters. One language-learning platform is connecting refugees and those from other marginalised groups with employers in the digital economy. The goal is to help disadvantaged candidates break into a sector they might have previously considered out of reach.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

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21st June 2022

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Swedish appliance company designs new sustainable kitchen
CategoriesSustainable News

Swedish appliance company designs new sustainable kitchen

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Is the way we cook just as important to the future of our planet as the food we eat? Swedish appliance company Electrolux thinks so, as it has just launched GRO, a reimagining of the traditional kitchen that encourages sustainable and healthy cooking, following the EAT-Lancet planetary diet.

GRO, which means ‘to sprout’ in Swedish, is a new smart kitchen range composed of modular compartments that can be adapted to any home, creating infinite personalised combinations. In addition, there’s also a grain and pulse library designed to showcase the visual diversity of protein sources; a Nordic smoker that infuses food with flavour; and GRO Coach, a smart cooking companion that tracks eating habits and helps make more sustainable choices.

“By challenging conventional thinking of what a kitchen is, we have rethought everything from the start – aiming to help change behaviours by making planet-friendly eating effortless and enjoyable through groundbreaking design,” explains Tove Chevalley, Director CX Innovation Hub Electrolux.

GRO has launched on the Electrolux website, however, there is no set date for the appliances to be released to the general public.

While companies such as Miele and Samsung have created smart appliances, kitchen robots, and sustainable storage solutions, few have created an all-encompassing kitchen like GRO.

Other kitchen innovations recently spotted by Springwise include a new way to dispose of used cooking oil, a kitchen designed for zero-waste production, and an AI system that helps professional kitchens avoid food waste.

Written By: Lauryn De Nagy Berry

20th June 2022

Email: sustainability@electrolux.com

Website: betterlivingelectrolux.com

Reference

FMG’s New Stoneware Surfaces Deliver Incredible Design Flexibility for Architects
CategoriesArchitecture

FMG’s New Stoneware Surfaces Deliver Incredible Design Flexibility for Architects

By Zarkon Group,

One of the most challenging aspects of design is bridging the gap between concept and reality. Architects and interior designers are first and foremost creatives; they are visionaries who at times struggle to find the perfect material that will bring their concept to life without some form of compromise. Whether it be a change in budget, an unforeseen roadblock or a disconnect between designer and developer, using materials that can easily adapt to a modified design ensures a successful outcome.

Fortunately, Italian stoneware Brand FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, part of Iris Ceramica Group, has developed a new product with creatives in mind. After extensive research and a thorough development process, FMG’s new full-body porcelain stoneware surfaces offer a comprehensive selection of durable, flexible and color-forward stone composites. Through a combination of raw materials, pigmented powders and random mix of hues, a robust line of handmade-like, unrepeated stone effect surfaces have recently hit the market. Among the most distinctive stone composites from the collection are the Palladio, the Venice Villa and the Rialto.

Project featuring FMG’s “Venice Villa” full-body porcelain stoneware

FMG boasts a unique production system that presses toxic-free powders with raw materials into an extremely durable material. The result is a compact stoneware that is non-absorbent, resistant to atmospheric agents and frost-free. Such a product can be easily implemented in both indoor and outdoor spaces as well as in private and commercial settings. Due to its extreme durability, it can withstand high-traffic environments without compromising aesthetics and functionality.

What further makes full-body porcelain stoneware stand out is its special processing abilities, enabling this stoneware to be manufactured for each designer’s bespoke needs. Whether the design requires rounded, beveled or central curved edges, the stoneware can be cut to deliver the required shape.

Project featuring FMG’s “Palladio” collection

FMG’s collection pays tribute to the Brand’s Italian origins through its experimentation and interpretation of the traditional and well-loved Venetian terrazzo flooring. Terrazzo has been around for centuries and has managed to remain a popular floor treatment to date. From its Venetian origins to its wide popularity in the Art Deco movement – it maintains its relevance in today’s dynamic design world.

A common complaint of terrazzo is its susceptibility to cracks if not properly maintained or if installed on a poor structural base. The full-body porcelain stoneware’s durable surface ensures a long-lasting, crack-free product that achieves the beloved terrazzo aesthetic. This built-to-last product can be implemented in a plethora of surface types – kitchen countertops, chairs, and shower trays – thus offering a product that is multifunctional and in many ways more versatile than traditional terrazzo.

Project featuring FMG’s “Rialto” full-body porcelain stoneware in zinc

Such versatility is not only seen in its physical makeup but in its pronounced and adaptable aesthetic. Through a thoughtful mix of marble fragments, grit sizes and stones, this line offers perfectly textured and decorative surfaces. Each style boasts a terrazzo-esque design, and whether the preference is a tighter pattern or a looser look, there are various options to choose from.

The line comes complete with 30 color offerings, ranging from ivory to graphite. The variation of finishes ensures the designer’s ideal aesthetic can be achieved, from Naturale, Levigata (smooth) and Strutturata (structured) to Sabbiata (sandblasted). The Palladio, Venice Villa and Rialto all come with a 10 mm (0.4 inch) thickness, with eight different sizes available. Among the Brand’s typical size offerings — 120×60, 60×60, 60×30 and 20×20 cm — three new formats join this collection: 150×75, 120×120 and 75×75 cm.

Project featuring FMG’s “Rialto” in pink

FMG’s full-body porcelain stoneware truly celebrates the spirit and colorful architectural history of Venice. Even its products’ names — Palladio, Venice Villa and Rialto — pay tribute to Venetian architecture. Rialto echoes the bustling Venetian commercial district and Venice Villa pays tribute to the region’s astounding mansions, while Palladio references the prominent Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio.

Very few products can offer such flexibility all the while ensuring a long-lasting, high-quality finish, with the need to compromise on aesthetics. As a modern-day interpretation of classic terrazzo flooring, combined with highly resilient material qualities, FMG’s latest stoneware collection is one that architects and designers can rely on to realize their creative vision.

To learn more about full-body porcelain stoneware and explore all of FMG’s offerings, check out their website.

Reference

New material could lead to wound dressings that deliver medication on demand
CategoriesSustainable News

New material could lead to wound dressings that deliver medication on demand

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Researchers at Brown University have developed a material that responds to the presence of bacteria by releasing encapsulated medication. Although still in the research stages, the material could lead to the development of wound dressings that deliver medication only when it is needed. This, in turn, could reduce the use of antibiotics and the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections.

The new material is in the form of a hydrogel, a polymer that is sensitive to a class of enzymes called β-lactamases, that are released by a number of harmful bacteria. In the presence of β-lactamases the hydrogel’s polymer network breaks down, releasing the therapeutic nanoparticles inside.

Hydrogels are already used in wound dressings, and ‘smart’ hydrogels can be used to speed up or slow down the release of medication depending on factors such as temperature and pH. The Brown team hopes to continue developing its hydrogel and eventually test it in a clinical setting.

“We’ve developed a bacteria-triggered, smart drug-delivery system,” said Anita Shukla, an associate professor in Brown’s School of Engineering who led the material’s development. “Our hypothesis is that technologies like this, which reduce the amount of drug that’s required for effective treatment, can also reduce both side effects and the potential for resistance.”

Given the urgency of finding solutions to the issue of AMR, it is no wonder that Springwise has seen a number of innovations in this area. Recent developments have included the use of rapid gene sequencing to find areas with high levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and biomaterials that are naturally antibacterial. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

17th June 2022

Website: brown.edu

Contact: brown.edu/about/contact-us

Reference

7 Buildings Structured Like Origami Sculptures
CategoriesArchitecture

7 Buildings Structured Like Origami Sculptures

By Zarkon Group,

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter. 

The Japanese art of origami consists of intricately folding paper to create detailed and delicate sculptures, ideally without using any cuts or glue. Triangular forms and fragmented surfaces are distinctive features of such sculptures. Much like these paper figures, origami-inspired architecture is a series of volumes that appear to be formed using folded sheets of paper.

These buildings feel light and in motion. The freedom from a traditional box shape also gives rise to dynamic interior configurations that are exciting and innovative. Cutouts and inward folds help carve out windows, balconies and terraces. Below are just a few examples of origami-inspired structures that can offer some out-of-the-box inspiration.

Origami House by Office of Architecture in Barcelona, Sant Cugat, Spain

White sloped roofs of the house stand out against the lush vegetation of the forest behind. The home looks more like a series of open boxes that look more like a pavilion than a home. Guests encounter a pool as soon as they reach the entrance, much like a plaza. This gives way to the changing volumes of the home, defined by sloping roofs and large windows.

The services are all located on a concealed lower floor, without any connecting staircase in sight. From within, the angled planes make it look like a camera lens that captures different parts of the scenery around. A well-hidden narrow staircase leads to a lower level which houses an indoor swimming pool and sauna. The home also features a library, cinema room, a loft, staff housing, garage, and more.

Klein Bottle House by McBride Charles Ryan, Rye, Australia

Challenging the idea of standard cuboidal spaces, the house takes inspiration from a unique surface developed by topological mathematicians. This allows the architects to create new and interesting spaces that create interest and create fun. Originally imagined as a complex spiral, the design slowly evolved into the form of a Klein Bottle, and then finally an origami version of the complex shape to create spatial intrigue. The form wraps around a central courtyard and a grand staircase, making all spaces feel both near and separate from each other. In addition to its energizing form, the house also showcases a changing color palette that incorporates shades of red, black and white.

Cardero by Henriquez Partners Architects, Vancouver, Canada
Popular Winner, 2021 A+Awards, Multi Unit Housing High Rise (16+ Floors)

Folded strips of white covering the façade are the first thing that makes visitors stop in their tracks when they see Cardero. These modules are inspired by seagulls and seaplanes found in the Coal Harbour area as well as hand gliders found in the Grouse Mountain region nearby. In addition to being an aesthetic element, the origami-like screen also acts as a sun shade on the building’s southern and western façades. While one part of the tower has 26 floors, the other side has 21 floors to help it fit better with the buildings on that side.

Kinematic Sculpture by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Chicago, Illinois

Much like folds in a paper, the dynamic pavilion is made of 99 flat wooden panels that are connected at different angles with stainless steel hinges to form a continuous sheet. It hopes to use kinematics to show the mathematical relationships between force and motion as it uses its hinged arrangement to change forms. It also shows how principles of origami, which is often associated with paper, can be adapted to other materials and architecture. This also paves way for similar structures that can be customized to cater to different programs.

Zigzag House by Cobaleda & Garcia Arquitectos, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain

The geometric configuring of this home starts from the plan itself. Instead of a traditional grid, Cobaleda & Garcia Arquitectos opted for a diamond-shaped pattern that is better suited for the oddly shaped plot. This helped create cavities along the exterior for green spaces. The fragmented geometry continues to the upper level as well as the roof, causing it to aptly be named the Zigzag house. The form is achieved using reinforced concrete slabs.

Images by Milo Keller

Temporary Chapel for the Deaconesses of St-Loup by LOCALARCHITECTURE, Pompaples, Switzerland

When renovating the mother house of the Deaconess Community of St-Loup, the studio proposed to construct a temporary chapel that worshipers could visit while the main building was inaccessible. Given their expertise in timber construction, they devised a computer-generated form that would use thin timber panels and could be built directly on the ground. The form appears like an accordion-folded tunnel that has just been stretched. Each panel reflects light in different directions and gives the building dimension and height. The gable end comprises clear plastic panels covered with fabric to filter natural light into the gathering space.

Images by David Frutos

Coworking LAB Nucía by CrystalZoo, Alicante, Spain
Jury and Popular Winner, 2020 A+Awards, Government & Civic Buildings

The building’s solid volume appears to have cutouts that open into the structure to create windows and intermediate spaces. The design is governed by a central core around which the geometric volume shapes itself. The bright yellow used in the interior spaces contrasts with the muted gray of the exterior walls, holding an unexpected surprise as one goes in. The core is a large stepped space that can be used for presentations, social interactions and staged talks. There is a large terrace behind it that also governs the programming of the building. It connects to workshop areas, classrooms and offices.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter. 

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India’s first full-time solar-powered town
CategoriesSustainable News

India’s first full-time solar-powered town

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Solar power is the world’s fastest-growing form of renewable energy. According to industry advocacy group SolarPower Europe, global solar capacity doubled in the three years from 2018, bringing the world’s solar capacity to one Terawatt in April 2022. While solar power has been slow to see growth in India, a new project in the town of Modhera in Gujarat state may help to change that.

Modhera is the first town in India to run off solar power 24/7. The plan to turn the town fully solar got its start in 2020, when the national government Ministry of New and Renewable Energy put out a tender for the Scheme – a pilot demonstration project intended to show that it was possible to run a small village or town (Modhera has 1400 residents) entirely on solar power.

The tender was to construct a solar photovoltaic power plant, a battery energy storage system, 271 rooftop solar arrays, smart meters, and electric vehicle charging equipment. Renewable energy digital services company GreenPowerMonitor was appointed to supply integrated onsite control, monitoring, data management, and display solutions for the hybrid power plant while Italian solar inverter manufacturer FIMER supplied six power conversion units.

GreenPowerMonitor’s power plant controller and energy management systems allow the batteries and other components to balance the power and storage needs to supply power to the town round the clock – without the need for other power sources. The hope is that this scheme will demonstrate the feasibility of installing similar systems in other rural areas. According to GreenPowerMonitor, “Combining solar PV and batteries in a hybrid project is challenging, but opens a wide range of possibilities to provide 100 percent renewable and clean energy to local communities…we hope that this becomes a standard solution and a benchmark in the renewable energy industry.” 

There is no shortage of ideas for using solar power to provide electrification to rural or off-grid areas. Springwise has recently covered a number of these, including a solar refrigerator that brings both cooling and power to off-grid communities and a school on wheels that uses solar power to bring education to remote areas in Uzbekistan. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

17th June 2022

Website: greenpowermonitor.com

Contact: greenpowermonitor.com/contact

Reference

A tiny sensor detects pesticide residue on individual fruits
CategoriesSustainable News

A tiny sensor detects pesticide residue on individual fruits

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: It is well-known that many pesticides can cause negative health and environmental issues, including dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects. In fact, reports show that up to half of all fruits sold in the EU contain pesticides linked to human health problems. But detecting pesticides on produce can be costly and time-consuming. However, thanks to a new sensor, it may soon be possible to change this. 

The tiny sensor, developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, uses a technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This is a spectroscopy technique that enhances the surface vibration of molecules using nanoscale roughened metal surfaces made of gold or silver. Using laser light matched to the vibrations, the SERS technique makes it possible to detect very low concentrations of substances without the need for more complex and expensive fluorescent labelling.

The researchers deposited small droplets of silver nano-particles onto a surface using flame spray. By fine-tuning the distance between individual nano-particles, the researchers can improve their sensitivity. The sensors were tested by applying a thin layer of tracer dye and using a spectrometer to determine their molecular fingerprints. The sensors were able to reliably detect molecular signals over a period of 2.5 months. The result demonstrates that the sensors can be applied over a large area and have a relatively long shelf life.

Haipeng Li, a postdoctoral researcher and the study’s lead author explained that the sensors, “can detect pesticide residues on apple surfaces in a short time of five minutes without destroying the fruit. While they need to be validated in larger studies, we offer a proof-of-concept practical application for food safety testing at scale before consumption.” 

At Springwise, we have seen a number of recent innovations aimed at improving food safety and security. Several of these are designed to help food stay fresh longer, such as smart, antimicrobial food packaging and non-toxic emulsions which can help control the growth of fungi and bacteria on plants.  

Written By: Lisa Magloff

17th June 2022

Website: sotirioulab.org

Contact: sotirioulab.org/contact

Reference

Is Graphene the Next Revolutionary Building Material?
CategoriesArchitecture

Is Graphene the Next Revolutionary Building Material?

By Zarkon Group,

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter. 

What is Graphene? Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, making it the thinnest material known to man. Despite its thin composition, graphene is incredibly strong — two hundred times stronger and 6 times lighter than steel. First isolated by researchers Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester in 2004, the material received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics, garnering increased global attention and interest. Graphene is durable and malleable, and scientists see promising architectural potential in the new material.

Graphene is also highly conductive and equally holds unique light-absorbing qualities. When it comes to conducting electricity, graphene rivals copper; when it comes to conducting heat, it trumps all other known materials. Meanwhile, graphene is nearly transparent, making it a suitable material for products such as touch screen devices, as well as light and solar panels. When mixed with plastic, graphene becomes a strong conductor of electricity, making it a potentially useful product in the satellite, aviation and automotive industries.

Although it is still in the early stages of research and development, there are many companies and research initiatives already dedicated to understanding the potential uses of graphene. Due to its unique property makeup, graphene can be used and applied in a plethora of ways, making it a worthwhile and lucrative material to research, study and develop commercially. This certainly holds true in the architecture and construction industry. Will this material have a revolutionary role in the design world? 

Properties of Graphene:

  • Thermal and electrical conductivity
  • Flexible and malleable
  • Extremely durable
  • Ability to generate electricity through exposure to sunlight
  • Transparent and lightweight
  • Antibacterial & resistant to ionizing radiation

Graphene as a Concrete Additive

In 2018, researchers at the University of Exeter found that incorporating graphene into concrete can produce a durable and water-resistant concrete composite. Researchers at the university suggest this composite material is two times strong and four times more water-resistant than any existing concrete. Through a new nano-engineering technology, the researchers suspended thin graphene in water, which produced an extremely resistant and usable concrete composite. Seeing that concrete releases high levels of CO2 into the air, this new composite material perhaps promises a greener alternative to traditional concrete.

The research was carried out in accordance with the British and European standards for construction, which ensures a safe material for architects to build with. Moreover, graphene’s water-resistant properties could equally be beneficial for sites that are difficult to reach and properly maintain — making this concrete composite not only durable but practical. It is possible that graphene-reinforced composites could be the future.

National Graphene Institute by Jestico + Whiles, Manchester United Kingdom. © Hufton+Crow Photography

Intelligent Cities

Some have suggested that graphene can easily up building’s intelligence. Architect Chenthur Raaghav Naagendran explains his research in a TEDx talk in Vienna, where he explores the possibilities of implementing graphene as a flexible skin for architecture. He proposes that graphene can be used to make architecture interactive, intelligent and adaptable. Chenthur’s research suggests that graphene could be used to replace traditional building materials and wires to create smart structures that respond to societal threats, such as global warming. Essentially, graphene can turn static structures into responsive agents.

Graphene in Paint

In 2017, paint manufacturer Graphenstone released a lime-based paint infused with graphene. Limewash paint has been around for centuries and has been revered for its breathable, bacteria-resistant, odor-absorbing and hypoallergenic properties. The company incorporated graphene into its renowned lime-based paint to create a thermal-regulating product. To resist heat from radiating through walls, the graphene present in the paint assists in capturing heat and thus improves a room’s insulation. Graphene’s thin makeup and durable properties mean less paint is required to achieve a corrosion-resistant and durable finish.

National Graphene Institute by Jestico + Whiles, Manchester United Kingdom. © Hufton+Crow Photography

Summary

Understandings of the role that graphene can play in the architecture and construction sphere are still in the early stages of research. However, there are promising concepts and graphene-present materials in development today. Equally, there are countless research initiatives and institutions dedicated to the commercialization of graphene. For example, the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester, designed by architecture firm Jestico + Whiles, is a world-leading research center dedicated to the research and development of graphene. Located at the very same institution where the material was first isolated, this institute demonstrates the UK’s dedication to remaining at the forefront of graphene commercialization.

Although there are still factors standing in the way of graphene commercialization — such as cost and maintaining quality during large-scale production — graphene could lead to more durable and thermally-regulated constructions in the future and is not to be overlooked.

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter.

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A new genomics programme offers patients a chance to identify risk earlier
CategoriesSustainable News

A new genomics programme offers patients a chance to identify risk earlier

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: There has been a growing interest in the uses of population genomics to innovate healthcare. These programmes combine clinical information with large scale genetic data to deliver information that can help individuals, researchers, and government and industry health programmes. One recent innovation is myGenetics, a population genomics programme developed by HealthPartners health system and genomics company Helix.

The myGenetics programme is a large-scale community health research programme that will integrate patient health records from HealthPartners clients with population genomics data collected by Helix to help identify areas of risk for individual patients. Similar programmes have helped as many as 1 in 75 participants discover and mitigate risks for serious health issues.

Those enrolled in HealthPartners’ health plan can register for the voluntary programme. They will be given genetic screening at no cost, which will include a variety of information. The programme will screen for some common cancers, heart disease, as well as regional ancestry, and other traits. The results will be used to provide patients with a detailed picture of hereditary health risks and to help care teams provide more personalised preventive care recommendations.

The project is explained by Steve Connelly, MD, co-executive medical director at HealthPartners, who says the company sees population genomics “as a critical step in our efforts to improve the health of the communities we serve across Minnesota and surrounding states. By understanding the role genetics play in an individual’s health, we can deliver more personalized care and improve the lives of our patients.”

Programmes like this, combining genetic testing with analysis and personalised treatment, are increasingly looking like the future of medical care. Other personalised health programmes we have recently seen include an AI-powered mental health app, a health-tracking platform powered by genomics and any number of wearable for home health tracking. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

16th June 2022

Website: healthpartners.com

Contact: healthpartners.com/contact/

Reference