Research by design:interdisciplinary explorations within architectural design, structural design and material lab to develop innovative bio-based material pavilions

The Netherlands are at the forefront of an ambitious agenda: to make the building industry fully circular by 2050. In this context this interdisciplinary ‘research by design’ master project explored, tested and experimented with bio-based composite materials and innovative design strategies through the development of a pavilion situated in the park of the former Zoo in Emmen/Netherlands. From the outset this project was a collaboration between the chair Architectural Design and Engineering (ADE), the chair Innovative Structural Design (ISD) and the SPARK smart industry field lab. In the first project phase this project explored in groups the foundation: bio-based materials, bio-based structural principles, the site, and the typology of the pavilion. In the laboratory students produced mycelium based, hemp-crete and flax-composites bio-materials to gain insights on tactile, on architectural material properties, on structural, strength and stiffness material properties by performing bending and compression tests. This project developed three masterplans and eleven individual bio-based design proposals for the specific locations of the former zoo through model making exercises. These pavilions were designed as ‘monolithic’ objects, made of a single material or composite, and developed in concept, form, use, structure, detailing and performative qualities. In the second phase the project developed three pavilions each of different bio-based materials in detail through large scale models and 1:1 mock-ups. Results of the project were presented as book and exhibition, showcasing 3 elaborated designs through diverse models with the aim to help shaping the future directions of bio-based design.