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The Hylozoic Ground Chemistries Portfolio

Hylozoic Ground Chemistries Portfolio - a collaboration with architect Philip Beesley, University of Waterloo.

My practical and theoretical work is based on the development of lifelike and living materials, which were originally developed as a series of chemical ‘organs’ for the Hylozoic Ground installation at the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale. These dynamic systems established a principle of practice through ‘natural computing’ techniques for architectural design, that can actively process substances such as carbon dioxide, through a designed metabolic process, within a site. A range of scalable spatial programs for the practice of natural computing were developed that established a transferrable portfolio of non-equilibrium chemistries that could be applied as a toolset for the construction of architectural design programs. The aim was to produce an alternative approach to ecological architectures that went beyond notions of material efficiency. Instead, the dynamic chemistries examined how material networks could be designed to increase the potency of a site. Action Research and Speculative Design methods were used to explore the potential evolution of the work through international, collaborative, interdisciplinary partnerships. The research has been widely disseminated through international conferences such as, LIFT, and exhibitions such as, Trondheim biennale. Publications have been produced for academic press such as, MIT’s Artificial Life Journal and AD Protocell Architecture. General press coverage includes ICON, Wired and Libertine magazines. The Hylozoic Ground has been touring since the first chemical organs were produced in December 2010 for the Royal Danish Academy as an ongoing series of exhibitions, which include venues such as, The Building Centre, London and Fondation EDF, Paris. The chemistries have also been featured as solo installations for group shows such as, Synth-ethic at the Natural History Museum, Vienna.