IntCDC

This exploratory paper discusses a primary study on Cappadocian caves’ bioclimatic performance, speculating on its application to today’s and future Performance Oriented Architecture (Hensel 2010; Hensel 2011; Hensel 2013). It is a rough initial pre-study to future broader research, claiming the need and relevance for in depth investigations. As too little has been done in this field, the project seeks to demonstrate how layering of spaces in relation to material and building techniques may manipulate different peals of exterior, semi-interior and interior spaces’ climates in onion principle in respect to its use (Davidová 2016a; Davidová 2016b) and different species’ habitation (Davidová 2016b), discussing its contemporary and future potentials for architectural practice on the work of Collaborative Collective’s examples (Collaborative Collective 2012; Collaborative Collective 2016). The paper argues for fully adaptable architecture, that is full part of and in constant coexistence with its surrounding ecosystem. Thematic GIGA-mapping (Sevaldson 2011; Sevaldson 2012; Sevaldson 2015) was used as an analysing tool for systemic relations of collected registered data, as well as existing information, merging hard data with tacit knowledge (see Figure 1). The map shows air flow passing through different layers of spaces as the most important factor of the climatic conditions, depth and height location as a second one. This is all interrelated in co-existence to the use of the spaces. Here it seems that symbiosis of humans and other species can play a crucial role in climate comfort and both mentioned vary over time. Therefore, we believe, that due to recent fast climate and society change, with expected weather extremes (Czech Republic Ministry of the Environment and Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 2015; Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment and Urbanization 2012; Flæte et al. 2010; Richardson 2010), transformative adaptive architecture should be investigated with the use of biology: reconfiguration as a new form of recycling.

The paper discusses a result of transdisciplinary cooperation of architectural practice and association Collaborative Collective (Collaborative Collective 2016; Collaborative Collective 2012) structural and mechanical engineering practice Experis DSKM (Experis DSKM 2016; Experis DSKM 2012) and ecologist association CooLAND (CooLAND 2016a; CooLAND 2016b) on competition entry project for an administrative centre of the Forests of the Czech Republic state company (Lesy České republiky 2012; Lesy České republiky 2016): the Responsive Transformer (see Figure 1). The core of the call was innovative use of wood, flexibility in development over time, energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental approach, taking in consideration adjacent forests and villa like area. Throughout the history, vernacular built environment was tested and modified according to abiotic as well as biotic, including socio-cultural, context over time, generating onion principle of different layers of climatic environments with different penetrations in relation to each other (Davidová 2016a; Davidová 2016b). The project is applying different peals exchanges through bio-morphing wooden screens responsive to weather conditions, coexistence with local, micro-climate modulating eco-systems as well as ground excavated climates. As in the past, such settings were constantly rebuilt for new needs in time, recent fast climate, society and technology changes call for equal response in natural and built environment adaptations. Inspired by the R&Sie(n)’s New Territories pioneering project in the field (Roche 2010; R&Sie(n) 2014), the project suggests options for its robotic architectural retransformations (Petrš 2016) towards fully adaptable design, combining both, biological and material responsiveness with physical computing for the parts, that are not transformable through biology in the current state of research for application in today practice.