Winners of d3 Natural Systems 2013 Competition Announced

Written by Rory Stott
Published on October 11, 2013

d3 has announced the winners of its Natural Systems Competition for 2013, an annual award that offers architects, designers, engineers and students the chance to investigate natural processes from the microscopic to macroscopic scale, and propose innovative and nature-based solutions in architecture, urbanism, interiors and product design for sustainable living.

The jury, a panel of architects and designers engaged in sustainable practices and computational explorations, has this year selected a top three as well as fourteen special mentions. Join us after the break for images from all 17 designs.

FIRST PRIZE

Water Aerial by Christian Bobsin and Michael Eberl

This Water Aerial utilizes a clever facade which combines EFTE pillows with super-hydrophilic microcapillaries, collecting water from rain and fog and channeling it into a series of water storage units in the center of the tower. The twisting, stratified floorplates inside the building utilize this stored water for vertical farming, with surplus water being irrigated into the ground and allowing more farming at ground level.

SECOND PRIZE

Working Tidal by Erin Saven and Ryan Rebecca Wall

This design forms a response to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy by proposing a "habitable constructed wetland" at the water's edge. A single, highly versatile module allows for a range of different spatial arrangements based on the pier typology - all the while separated from the varying natural water level of the ground beneath.

THIRD PRIZE

Vault Belt by Masood Shahverdi, Sima Shahverdi and Majid Adab

This proposal for a desert colony is all about controlling and utilizing the forces in a hostile environment. The shape of the vaults is optimized to both hold back the movement of sand and provide a shaded space for residential units. The design also makes use of high winds, channeling them through the rear of the vault to produce energy and provide ventilation. Through the ingenious form of the vaults, space is provided for living, shopping and farming in an otherwise uninhabitable place.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: Powerscape by Otto Ng

ALTERNATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE: Waterfall Towers by Nikolaos Karintzaidis

ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT: Cloud Magnet by Justin Bernard, Michael Farinella, Rashida Ng, Sneha Patel, Malgorzata Primavera and Caroline Wineburg

ECOSYSTEM REGENERATION: Water is the Petroleum of the Future by Karen Eva Azagoury Lutwak

NATURAL/BUILT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION: Durat Ion by Jaclyn L. Spokojny and John Johnston

RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT: Water Stelae by Trevor Jordan, Luke Laverty and Derrick Whitmire

URBAN LANDSCAPE INTERVENTION: Spontaneous Urban Plants by David Seiter, Lois Farningham, Zenobia Meckley, Kate Rodgers, Brett Kordenbrock and Koung Jin Cho