This project was part of a construction studio at Rutgers University focused on detailed technical drawings. The aim for each student was to design an educational pavilion space for children and adults alike.
My goal was to present visitors to the Liberty Science Center with new ideas, instilling in them an appreciation of lesser understood biological systems. I used the form and function of mycorrhiza to design interesting and educational spaces. Three-dimensional parametric modeling software (Rhino and Grasshopper) was used to model the branching patterns of mycorrhiza. The resulting grid is constructed of permeable concrete and graded to promote water flow throughout the pavilion, much like mycorrhiza transports water and nutrients through its tendrils and into plant roots.
The project's strength lies in its ability to visualize an underground system few are familiar with, and present it in a way that can be easily understood. This creates in visitors the desire to learn more about the earth and its intricate complexities, which represents a new creative frontier.
Programs Used: AutoCad, Rhino, Grasshopper (plugin), Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop