Guided Growth

When the ‘built’ becomes the ‘born’

Humans create some pretty clever designs, but until now, our constructed environment has largely been static. It’s time to take a hint from old nature and teach our buildings and products how to grow, adapt, and repair themselves. Using the principle of guided growth, fruits manufacture their own packaging, and chairs are designed to mimic bones. Even our buildings may eventually have the same urge to eat and breath as the residents inside.

Staff Picks

‘The most effective way to ‘heal’ a stressed ecology may be to construct living buildings’
Self–Repairing Architecture
Rachel Armstrong

All buildings today have something in common: They are made using Victorian technologies. This involves blueprints industrial manufacturing and construction ...

Growth Assembly

Worldwide shipping of manufactured things is very inefficient. How can we ship devices and utensils in a single envelope? As seeds.

Visual of Vertical Farms Growing In Giant Trees

Vertical Farms Growing In Giant Trees

In the forest plants struggle with each others to gain sunlight. Meanwhile in the 'urban jungle' we call cities plants need...

Visual of Growing a Crystal Chair

Growing a Crystal Chair

Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka does not sculpt his work but grows it. His Venus chair was created by immersing a...

Visual of Bone Chair

Bone Chair

Joris Laarman's Bone chair takes its inspiration from the efficient way that bones grow (adding material where strength is needed...