INTERNATIONAL PROJECT
“ Our vision goes further than the integration of just green systems , but rather creates a built environment that restores and nurtures its surroundings , and that serves as a catalyst for positive change ,” says Garziano .
Mitosis creates regenerative ecosystems with a positive ecological footprint . It balances the technical benefits of an environmentally conscious construction with the qualities of an organic and healthy environment in which its residents coexist harmoniously . Mitosis generates urban clusters using prefabricated timber and bio-based modules that are cost-efficient and flexible in its construction . By consciously choosing materials that capture carbon and using resources more efficiently , Mitosis constructs a net-positive built environment that produces more energy than it consumes and uses resources in a circular way .
The enhancement of biodiversity in the urban fabric has a beneficial impact on the quality of life and the environmental education of the inhabitants . Mitosis integrates plant and animal life throughout the buildings , allowing its dwellers to coexist harmoniously with the biodiversity of local flora and fauna . Mitosis is designed to co-evolve with its surrounding , by recreating ecosystems appropriate to the climate , site , and residents . In this way , Mitosis can facilitate the conservation and improvement of the biodiversity that exists on the site .
“ We are part of nature in a deep and fundamental way , but in our modern lives we ’ ve lost that connection . In addition to the technical benefits of acoustics improvement , CO2 , and urban heat reduction , being in direct contact with nature has proven to improve physical and mental health and overall well-being ,” says Garziano .
The distinct rhomboid shape of the individual design modules is integral to the functionality of Mitosis . Stacking these modules creates large areas for shared outdoor living , with each unit having at least one terrace .
Mitosis ’ vertical connections are placed externally to connect the units and terraces , creating a continuous ribbon of outdoor ‘ cloister-like ’ spaces , fostering a sense of openness , belonging , protection , and privacy for residents .
Mitosis ’ construction is organic and flexible , providing large areas of urban and vertical farming , greenhouses , wildlife corridors , and integration of habitat creation , that encourage shared outdoor activities among residents .
By applying elements of nature and providing available renewable resources in shared facilities and infrastructures of community living , Mitosis encourages dwellers to engage in pro-environmental practices and share their expectations of sustainability . This helps create healthier environments and improve social interaction .
Mitosis is developed by parametric and BIM 3D modelling software . It generates dwelling clusters composed of prefabricated CLT modules through a complex iterative process . The optimised volume and scale of Mitosis are based on the calculation and simulation of parameters related to specific stakeholders ' needs and conditions of a given site .
The volumes and internal layouts derive from the calculation and simulation of parameters related to specific conditions of the site : solar radiation , wind impact , privacy , population density , common spaces index , and vertical connections . With the parametric design tool , Mitosis explores how buildings can grow , evolve , heal and self-sustain ,
The buildings were built to satisfy an increasing need for healthy homes .
similar to human bodies , as well as use biological metaphors to design buildings capable of regeneration , resilience , and self-sufficiency .
Due to its flexible structure and grid formation , Mitosis is able to host a variety of typologies that are customisable to the resident ’ s needs . It is applicable to diverse urban scales , ranging from off-grid single-family detached houses ( 30m 2 up to a quadruplex 120m 2 ) to high-density mixed-use urban clusters that incorporate public functions such as education , leisure , wellness , and retail . Mitosis generates experiential spaces that respect both the environment and its direct inhabitants , reconnecting both in a balanced ecosystem . By accommodating for all sizes , typologies , and performance levels , Mitosis moves beyond the basic concept of sustainable design and shifts towards a design that focuses on producing net-positive impacts on the environment .
TECHNICAL SHEET
Program : multi-functional regenerative CLT collective housing Plot Area : 22.110m 2 Building Area : 181.833m 2 ( Mitosis-XL ); 63m 2 ( Mitosis XS ) Design Team : Gianmarco Daniele , Chelsea Fu , Giacomo Garziano Renders : HexaPixel ( Mitosis-XL ); GG-loop ( Mitosis-XS )
MORE ABOUT GG-LOOP
Established in 2014 , GG-loop believes that design is not simply about creating functional objects and spaces . Instead , the design should tell a story , taking its user on a journey . GG-loop tackles design challenges with this in mind , articulating a vision for projects that is at once future-forward , organic , and refined . At all times in the design process , GG-loop places the end-user front and centre .
GG-loop ' s realised projects include Freebooter ( 2019 ) and The Seed of Time ( 2015 ). The studio won awards such as the Frame Award ( NL ), the WAF Award ( UK ), and the Best of the Year 2019 Award ( NY ).
GG-loop was founded by Giacomo Garziano , a graduate of Facolta ' di Architettura di Firenze ( 2008 ). Garziano has more than 10 years of experience working for studios like NIO Architecten and UNStudio on projects ranging from product design to large-scale urban planning and design projects for the real estate , retail , infrastructure , and culture industries . Major projects to date include the Doha Metro and the extension of the Contemporary Art Museum in Prato , Italy .
www . timberiq . co . za // FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 15