MISSION AQUARIUS

In scope of ARCH 202 Architectural Design II, a workshop entitled “Mission Aquarius: A Biomimetic Structural Organism” was organized. In this two-week workshop, the mission of the 2nd year Architecture students was to design a biomimetic structural organism that would function as a habitat for the first colonizers underwater.

This would obviously be different from a typical land based structure, not only one that could withstand underwater conditions, but a stand-alone organism that might grow, move freely, reproduce and/or exterminate itself. The habitable spaces were formed in accordance with the geographical and climatological conditions of underwater environments. In this context, modes and durations of basic human needs such as eating and sleeping as well as social needs were considered and spaces were designed accordingly. Prof. Dr. Serdar Bayari (Hacettepe Ü), Dr. Gökhan Kabaoğlu (DEÜ), Süheyla Müge Halıcı (İTÜ), Filiz Keyder Özkan (İEÜ) and Ozan Veryeri (SADAFAG) gave lectures about marine life and geography, 3-D modelling, visualizing and digital design tools, and biomimicry. An exhibition showcasing the products of the workshop was open for visit by Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design.