Savannah Food Stalk Process Book

Savannah Food Stalk

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Copyright 2015

All images have been created by the authors of this process book unless otherwise noted.

Design Team

Jy’Nee Bryan Leah Carey Shuai Chen Jyh Chen Chelsea Jackson Grace David Londono Malaysia Marshall Kathleen Moser Isaac Toonkel Alexandra Vasquez Dheming

Advisors

Regina Rowland Cathy Sakas

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Introduction This process book displays the project that ten students, a professor, and a scientist worked on over a ten week semester at the Savannah College of Art and Design. It represents the work, research, and conceptual development of a system meant to combat food deserts in urban environments. The book is divided into sections based on the Biomimicry Thinking Design Process. Each section covers a particular phase in this design process: the scoping phase, the discovering phase, the creating phase and the evaluating phase. Each phase tells a piece of the design team’s story; learning from nature through direct observation, excursions, sites of interest, deriving relevant design principles from the functions of various organisms, developing a prototype system to address the design challenge, and evaluating the solution’s adherence to Life’s Principles.

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Introduction to Biomimicry “Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of nature’s genius. It is an interdisciplinary approach that brings together two often disconnected worlds: nature and technology, biology and innovation, life and design. The practice of biomimicry seeks to bring the timetested wisdom of life to the design table to inform human solutions that create conditions conducive to life. At its most practical, biomimicry is a way of seeking sustainable solutions by borrowing life’s blueprints, chemical recipes, and ecosystem strategies. At its most transformative, biomimicry connects us in ways that fit, align, and integrate the human species into the natural processes of Earth” (Baumeister, 2013).

Figure1: Biomimicry Mantra. Figure 2: The Three essential elements of Biomimicry, left to right: Biomimicry3.8 DesignLens Collateral Toolkit. © 2014 Biomimicry Group, Inc. Biomimicry 3.8. Biomimicry Group is a certified B-Corporation. Retrieved from: http://biomimicry.net/about/ biomimicry/biomimicry-designlens/

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Essential Elements: Biomimicry Framework “The practice of biomimicry embodies three interconnected, but unique ingredients; the three Essential Elements of Biomimicry represent the foundation of the biomimicry meme. By combing the essential elements together, bio-inspired design becomes biomimicry” (Baumeister, 2013).

The ethos element forms the essence of our ethics, our intentions, and our underlying philosophy for why we practice biomimicry. Ethos represents our respect for responsibility to and gratitude for our fellow species and our home. The emulate element brings the principles, patterns, strategies, and functions found in nature to inform design. Emulation is about being proactive in achieving the vision of humans fitting in sustainability on earth. The (re)connect element enables the void between humans and nature to be bridged to establish a relationship where lessons can be drawn from (Baumeister, 2013).

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Biomimicry Thinking “Biomimicry Thinking provides context to where, how, what, and why biomimicry fits into the process of any discipline or any scale of design. While akin to a methodology, Biomimicry Thinking is a framework that is intended to help people practice biomimicry while designing anything. These are four areas in which a biomimicry lens provides the greatest value to the design process (independent of the discipline to which it is integrated): scoping, discovering, creating, and evaluating. Following the specific steps within each phase helps ensure the successful integration of life’s strategies into human designs” (Baumeister, 2013).

Figure 3: The Biomimicry Thinking Design Process Biomimicry3.8 DesignLens Collateral Toolkit. © 2014 Biomimicry Group, Inc. dba Biomimicry 3.8. Biomimicry Group is a certified B-Corporation. Retrieved from: http://biomimicry.net/about/biomimicry/biomimicry-designlens/

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Figure 4: Biomimicry Life Principles, left to right: Biomimicry3.8 DesignLens Collateral Toolkit. © 2014 Biomimicry Group, Inc. dba Biomimicry 3.8. Biomimicry Group is a certified B-Corporation. Retrieved from: http://biomimicry.net/about/biomimicry/biomimicry-designlens

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Advisors

Regina Rowland, Ph.D. Professor of Design Management Certified Biomimicry Specialist In my spare time I enjoy exploring nature and reflecting on my experience through creative expression.

Figures 5-6: Biomimicry Advisors: Regina Rowland, Ph.D. and Cathy J. Sakas. Authors’ Image.

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Cathy J. Sakas MSC Professional Interpretive Naturalist & Documentary Producer Scientist at the Design Table I like to do most any outdoor activity. Mostly I paddle my canoe or my river or sea kayaks through saltwater tidal marsh creeks and in freshwater creeks, rivers and swamps. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of natural history and minimal impact camping skills by leading wilderness educational trips into remote areas along Georgia’s beautiful coast, into the Okefenokee Swamp and through the Everglades.

Graduate Students

David Londono Brinez Industrial Design Design for Sustainability

Shuai Chen Industrial Design Interaction Design

I hold a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Design and a Masters degree in Sustainable design. I have worked in multiple industries and currently own two companies designing and developing projects. I also consult and offer technical development services for small and mid-size companies. I have devoted over 6 years to social innovation, sustainable design practices, planning, and will continue to do so.

I lived in China for twenty-four years and have been studying Industrial Design as a graduate student in America for 2 years. Having a mix of a mechanical mind and an emotional perception, I’m always seeking opportunities to solve problems coming from both a mechanical and an ethic point of view. I have passion for technology and creation, and love combining my knowledge of interactive design and industrial design. Right now I am focusing on wearable devices and 3D printing. I hope to start a business based on these interests.

Figures 7-8: Team Members: Graduate Students. Authors’ Image.

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Undergraduate Students

Alexandra Vasquez Production Design Design for Sustainability Dance I’m a Salvadoran dancer on her final year of a Production Design BFA. I’m a curiosity-driven Lighting and Projections designer who can’t turn down an interesting project. Thus, I spend most of my free time collaborating on films, live performances, and installations. I enjoy reading when I should be working, writing illegibly in pretty notebooks, and cooking with unfamiliar spices. UItimately, I aspire to be a Broadway designer who no longer feels guilty about doing what she loves. I will accomplish this by working to make theatre sustainable.

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Leah Carey Architecture Design for Sustainability I am a senior Architecture student, with a minor in Design for Sustainability. In my free time, I enjoy graphic design, literature, traveling, photography, and spending time in nature.

Figures 9-10: Team Members: Undergraduate Students. Authors’ Image.

Malaysia Marshall Interior Design Design for Sustainability

Jyh Miin Chen Industrial Design Design for Sustainability

With interests in design, community involvement, sustainability, and art, I aspire to combine these various aspects into a lucrative career that directly addresses design challenges. In my free time, I write, paint, and volunteer with the local Boys & Girls Club.

I have great passion for traveling, which I do in almost all of my free time. Give me a free weekend and I will not be in Savannah, but trying to discover parts of the world I haven’t yet stepped foot in. I enjoy cultures that are different than my own. Learning about other countries excites me because I also adore cooking. I love to learn, and try to cook food that I have tasted in my travels to bring back the beautiful memories of the times I have spent abroad.

Figures 11-12: Team Members: Undergraduate Students.Authors’ Image.

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Kathleen Moser Interior Design Design for Sustainability When I am not learning in school or working in a coffee shop, I enjoy cooking with my family and friends, reading literature, writing down stories I pick up during the day, and learning how to play the guitar. I can usually be found in a coffee shop drinking too much coffee and talking to strangers. I believe strongly in social sustainablity and want to make good, sustainable design accessible to everyone.

Figures 13-14: Team Members: Undergraduate Students.Authors’ Image.

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Jy’nee Bryan Architecture Archiectural History and Design for Sustainability I began studying architecture after having the opportunity to sit with the designer who built the home my family currently lives in. Through studying Architectural History and Design for Sustainability I have gained interest in Urban Design and want to now pursue higher education in the development of sustainable communities.

Chelsea Jackson-Greene Interior Design Architectural History and Design for Sustainability I’ve worked in the service industry since I was 16 and my work experience inspires my designs. I hope my experience will lead me to work in sustainable Retail and Hospitality Design. When I’m not working I enjoy practicing yoga and making mixed media collages.

Isaac Toonkel Industrial Design I love to create. You can usually find me in a wood shop combining traditional materials and techniques to build high quality products ranging from kitchen cutlery to furniture. I also love camping, hiking, and being outdoors.

Figures 15-16: Team Members: Undergraduate Students. Authors’ Image.

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Figure: 17: Building in Savannah, Authors’ Image

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SCOPING In the scoping phase the team identified the design challenge and analyzed its context. Once a challenge was chosen and its criteria understood, a desired outcome was defined in the form of a function.

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Framing After doing individual research, the team came together and categorized the researched facts on a white board into six categories: regional food challenges, global food challenges, education, waste, human health, and climate change. The team found that the topics were all related in a complex network of cause and effect. Inspired by the city of Savannah, the team looked for a local challenge where issues of access to healthy food options, awareness and climate change were at play and found Savannah is, in fact, a food desert.

Figure 18: Team members categorizing early secondary research. Authors’ Image.

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Problem Description The US Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as an urban neighborhood or rural town without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Food deserts are a growing national concern. The local Savannah area is one such food desert. Two of the most dire problems are access and affordability, especially for lower income households. In a Gallup survey conducted by the Food Research and Action Center, studies found that affordability of and access to fresh fruits and vegetables were greater challenges for households with lower incomes. Furthermore, one in ten people, in 95 congressional districts, reported that it was not easy to get affordable fresh fruits and vegetables [Weill, HartlineGradton, Burke, 2011]. The rise of food insecurity and a growing food waste problem are both visible issues here in Savannah. According to the Georgia Food Bank Association (2015), 1 in 5 Georgia citizens are food insecure, meaning they don’t always know where they will find their next meal. 1 in 4 children in Georgia live in food insecure households. This means that more than 700,780 children in Georgia have been hungry and without access to food. Alarmingly, 29% of these children live in households above the poverty level. These are the children of working families and are therefore considered ineligible for any federal food nutrition programs.

Equally alarming is the amount of food wasted every day by US Americans. According to a 2012 study by the Natural Resource Defense Council, 40 percent of food in the United States goes uneaten, meaning Americans are throwing out the equivalent of $165 billion each year (Gunders, 2012). This uneaten food ends up rotting in landfills and is the largest component of US municipal solid waste which is causing toxic methane emissions. Emissions in turn result in the formation of greenhouse gases, which are the leading contributor in the climate change issues facing our planet. Through this research our team identified that food deserts and food waste are local challenges in Savannah, as well as global food challenges. The lack of access to healthy food in a food desert is directly connected to the economic and environmental conditions of the people in the food desert. The design must be resource efficient so that access to sustainable, healthy food options are available constantly and consistently. The design will focus on bringing a sustainable and affordable food system to Savannah with the intentions of contributing to solving the food desert and waste problem.

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Neighborhood A

30

Min

.

20 Min. 10 M in.

Low-cost

High-cost Mid-cost

Neighborhood C

Neighborhood B

The term “Food desert” was originally coined in the United Kingdom. Food deserts are defined by lowincome communities’ proximity to supermarkets because they lack healthy food options. However, researchers have found that actual travel time and method, as well as supermarket cost can change the intensity and the expanse of a food desert. The study suggested using supermarkets as points of access to healthy food and then defining who could reach them in 10 to 30 minutes by foot, bike, car or bus. The study was not able to account for time spent reaching a bus stop but recognized this as a factor. Each supermarket was defined as either low, mid or high cost. This approach created a more nuanced view of food access in the selected area [Jiao, Moudon, Ulmer, Hurvitz, & Drewnowski, 2012]. Figure 19: Breaking down the definition of a food desert Infographic. Authors’ Image.

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Food transportation

Food marketing

Shredded to increase Broken down in enclosed

Food processing

Laid out in piles to

Food Waste

Food Producing

Harvesting

Screened to remove any

Farming & Cultivating

Seeding

Used to improve soil

Nutrient-rich

Every food will have two different closed loops processes done to it, including a production and recycling process. Current trend indicates that people put too much attention on how to reduce food loss during the production process and ignore the efficiency of the recycling process, which can also provide considerable savings to a certain extent. The two diagrams show the components of both processes through which we can seek the entry point for food challenge.

Figure 20: Opportunities to reduce food waste during downstream phase of consumption Infographic. Authors’ Image.

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$ 120 million/year

Poultry

Nuts

Fruit & Veggies

Cotton

Tabacco

In Georgia, the farm cash receipt is around 5 billion dollars. The poultry and egg industry created nearly 50% of the entire cash receipt. Georgia also produces nearly half the amount of peanuts and pecans for the entire country. “Georgia ranks first in the nation in the production of broilers, peanuts, and pecans. Georgia ranked second in acreage of cotton and rye, third in production of peaches and tomatoes, and fifth in tobacco acreage and value of production” [Flatt, William P. 2015].

Figure 21: Major food productions in Georgia, USA. Authors’ Image.

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1.3 billion Food Waste/year

868 million suffering from hunger =100 million

100% of world hunger could be eliminated

1.5 Lbs Person/day

=

$2,275 Food waste/year

1.3 billion tons of food is wasted worldwide every year. 868 million people suffer from hunger. The average American throws away 1.5 pounds of food daily, which adds up to $2,275 a year of food wasted. (Phelps, M. 2014).

Figure 22: Exposition of amount of food wasted yearly and amount of people suffering from hunger worldwide. Authors’ Image.

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VS

The highly-processed, saturated-fat diets commonly found in food deserts do not just affect inhabitants’ obesity levels. These diets also cause chronic low-level body and brain inflammation, which in turn has been linked to depression, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and more. Food groups that most likely produce inflammation are refined grains, margarine, red meat, and all soft drinks. These are also foods commonly found in food deserts at fast food vendors and convenience stores. In an ongoing study supported by Harvard, the highly respected Nurses’ Health Study, 43,685 women between the ages of 50-77 who did not have depression were studied for twelve years. During this time, women who ate more inflammatory foods than non-inflammatory foods on a daily basis were found to be 29-41% more likely to develop depression than their counterparts. Based on this data, it is clear that food deserts do not just affect physical health, but can also be traced as a source of mental health issues. Foods that fight inflammation include leafy greens, yellow vegetables, and olive oil.

Figure 23: Effects of highly processed food: Obesity. C. Authors’ Image.

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29-41% Develop depression/ day

Non-inflanmmatory Food

Inflanmmatory Food

Figure 24: Effects of highly processed food: Mental Health and Inflammation. Authors’ Image.

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Food Consumed Versus Food Loss

60% 40% Food Consumed Food Loss

50%

50%

Seafood

Figure 25: Percentages of food consumed versus food lost by type. Authors’ Image.

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62% 38%

Grain Product

52%

48%

Fruit & Vegetables

Americans lack a secure food supply

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Forty percent of the food in the US is uneaten, which equates to $165 billion of waste a year. All of this uneaten food simply ends up rotting in a landfill. Solid waste from food accounts for largest component of municipal waste in landfills. If the US reduced its food waste by just 15%, there would be enough food to feed more than 25 million Americans each year. This is especially relevant at a time “when one in six Americans lack a secure supply of food” [Gunders, D 2015].

Figure 26: One in Six Americans lack a secure food supply. Authors’ Image.

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After researching the context we decided upon the below listed function of “enabling” that our design must fulfill.

Design Statement Our design must enable resilient selfsustaining food production methods in urban areas.

Vision Statement Our design facilitates the accessibility to locally grown, quality organic food and strengthens communities.

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Figure 27: Growth on pine Tree. Authors’ Image.

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Life Principles After narrowing our Design and Vision Statements the team reviewed the 26 Biomimicry Life Principles and chose six that we thought related most to our initial statements. This allowed a focus for a design to be developed. Incorporate diversity:

Include multiple forms, processes, or systems to meet a functional need.

...so that the design can meet a changing environment quickly.

Use Readily Available Material and Energy

Build with abundant, accessible materials while harnessing freely available energy.

...so that preexisting organic waste from the local environment is reused.

Find value through win-win interactions.

...so that the local community is an integral to part of the design’s success.

Create conditions to allow components to interact in concert to move toward an enriched system.

...so that the design can repond quickly and organically to challenges as they arise.

Cultivate Cooperative Relationships:

Self-Organize:

Recycle All Materials:

Use Life Friendly Chemistry:

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Keep all materials in a closed loop.

Use chemistry that supports life processes.

...so that the design creates a closed loop in order to be resilient and self-sustaining.

...so that the food produced is organic.

Figure 28: Spider’s Web on Palm Tree. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 29: Shells on Rock. Authors’ Image.

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Conclusion Our contextual research findings have led us to identify Savannah as a food desert due to its limited access to healthy and sustainable food options. The cultivation, production, and eventual waste of food in this country has caused a multitude of environmental issues and the challenges associated with it are affecting communities large and small. By providing a sustainable food system that is not only affordable but gives quality, healthy food options for the people of Savannah, our design will have a positive economic and environmental impact on our local community.

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Figure 30: Lens focus on leaf capillaries. Authors’ Image.

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DISCOVERING Once the design criteria had been developed in the scoping phase, the team moved onwards toward the discovering phase. During the discovering phase our design statement was turned into a biologized research question to guide our search for how nature “manages” its nutrients. Research was accomplished through primary field research, and secondary organism research. All discoveries were captured in “function cards” to portray different organsim and system functions, mechanisms, and strategies that address the research question. From these functions, design principles were abstracted to emulate nature’s strategies in the consequent Creating phase. “While some may blend research commonly in the discovering phase with the background assessment of the scoping phase, we tease them apart here to demonstrate the unique value that biomimicry thinking brings to the research aspects of the discovering phase... The general objective of the discovering phase is to enter the realm of divergent thought, where team members broaden their perspectives to allow for a wide range of ideas, inputs and influences... While market research is often the driving input into most design processes, most radical innovations come from outside of the norm, be it visions of a possible future, completely unexpected connections and inspirations, or purely brilliant insights. In many ways, biomimicry thinking best serves radical innovation because natural models generally aren’t standard sources, yet nature’s strategies can provide very compelling future visions and brilliant insights, proven by 3.8 billion years of R&D” (Baumeister, 2013).

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Biologized Research Question

How does nature manage the flow of nutrients in an ecosystem? uptake absorb upcycle produce provide utilize form stabilize commmunicate

Figure 31: Group discussion during excursion. Authors’ Image.

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Research Methodology

The team was able to answer this multi-faceted question through a variety of research methods. We learned from nature by immersing ourselves into our local ecosystems and habitat on multiple excursions to explore local ecosystems and habitats. During this fieldwork, having a professional naturalist was crucial to the in-depth and often spontaneous learning that took place. As individuals, each team member studied the surrounding environment and recorded observations in the form of iSites. These activities allowed the group to both practice and develop obserbvational skills, as well as enable insightful interactions with our surroundings. In tandem to these excursions, team members individually studied a wide array of organisms and systems in order to learn about natures functions, strategies, and mechanisms. These findings were condensed in the form of function cards and nature’s genius was abstracted into design principles to be used later, during the creating phase..

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Barrier Island Exploration The team explored a familiar “getaway” in an unfamiliar manner. They spent the day examining and learning from the organisms we encountered as we moved toward, along, and beyond the beach. During the exploration of Tybee Island, we learned about the significance of particular niches filled by a variety of organisms. The team dove into a familiar environment from a point of view that was unusual to the majority of the students: the group examined from crucial role held by the extensive root system of the sea oats to the responsive nature of the morning glory’s low stature that enables it to collect the dew at dawn, to the strength of the self-produced adhesive made by barnacles located within the high energy system of rock jetties, to the moist and highly pressurized living environment of the arthropods living within the sand. This excursion proved to be the first of several captivating learning opportunities to be embarked upon throughout the completion of this course.

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Figure 32: Outlook on Tybee. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 33: Floating ISite. Authors’ Image.

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Fresh Water Investigation For the second biomimicry excursion, the class ventured by canoe to the site of the Altamaha River, which exists at the confluence of the Ocmulgee River and Oconee River. Upon reaching the sandbar the class had the opportunity to witness nature at work including a spider weaving its web to capture prey, an empty turtle nest, and hovering turkey vultures scoping for their next meal. During this experience, we had an opportunity to further explore their surroundings, and to observe and sketch various organisms during a Multi-Level Observation iSite activity. Towards the end of the trip, the class paddled into a serene slough amongst cypress and Tupelo trees for a meditative sketching experience. This was the another collaborative experience to extend our observations and learning beyond the classroom.

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Marsh & Estuary Exploration The Marsh and Estuary Exploration ecological excursion proved to be a lesson in adaptability, communication, and interpretation on both an ecosystem and organism level. The trip began with an introduction to the unassuming powerhouse that is the marsh. Coastal marshes flourish amid fluctuations in saltwater and freshwater; heat and cold temperatures; dryness and complete water immersion and everything in between. They provide protection against inclement weather by absorbing and dissipating the energy of waves, and work as one of nature’s best filters when disaster strikes. The day began with a collaborative iSite that built team work and strengthened observational skills. The participants discovered that they actually used life principles such as using feedback loops and cultivating cooperative relationships in their communications! It was enlightening to see verbal communication turned to visual interpretations and the varying degrees of success in these translations. The team then adapted to their environment in this fieldtrip: they overcame their fear of the unknown by walking into the marsh itself. All members of the trip experienced the varying viscosity of coastal marsh mud with a couple members accidentally going thigh-deep in the softer mud. A few even applied the nutrient-rich marsh gunk to their faces after learning about the nutrients and minerals in it. Taste was also a dominant sense for the Marsh and Estuary Exploration. The team tasted Spartina grass blades on two separate occasions to learn about salinity levels and sea pickles by biting into them.

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Figure 34: Salt-Water Marsh. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 35: Close-up of Turtle. Authors’ Image.

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Ecology Lab Excursion The team went on an excursion to the Savannah River Ecology Lab in Aiken, South Carolina. The team walked the nature trail and saw several plants native to the Low Country and how they have adapted to their ecosystem. The team also observed several native species of animals, including turtles, snakes, fish and insects which we were able to safely interact with. The team learned about the strategies ecologists and biologists use to observe nature, and about the systems in place to track and monitor the animals at the ecology lab. Later in the day, the team was able to see in person other native animals like possums, alligators, owls, and coyotes. It was a good opportunity to learn about these organisms up close, and in some cases hands on!

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Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden The design team forwent the “Rivers to Reefs Connection” trip on Skidaway Island in favor of one to the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens and the Savannah Wildlife Refuge. Cathy Sakas, the biologist at the design table, proposed this change when bamboo was chosen as a champion organism. The Botanical Gardens contain the closest bamboo gardens, which provided a good opportunity to study the plant itself as a primary research source. At the Georgia Botanical Gardens the group learned about niches, the structure and varying sizes of bamboo, and about native edible plants like mustard greens. An interesting point was made when the group encountered Ilex vomitoria, or Yaupon. Yaupon Holly is the only known caffeinated plant native to North America. It was widely revered and traded by the local Native Americans as ‘black drink’. Yaupon also brought up a discussion of how nature uses color as its language. Red and yellow usually mean danger, so the red berries in yaupon are a clear sign that the fruit is unsuitable for consumption. Dark purples mean that a fruit or vegetable is especially nutritious.

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Figure 36: Close-Up of Palm Tree Trunk. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 37: Swimming Alligator. Authors’ Image.

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Savannah Wildlife Refuge The group visited the Savannah Wildlife Refuge visitor’s center. Here, they watched an informative film about the National Wildlife Refuge system before setting off to the Wildlife Drive. During the drive, the team observed how the old rice plantations were turned over to nature, and how some of the old man-made (slave-made) structures still remain, such as the levee system, while others have completely disappeared. The most exciting point in this trip was observing three different alligators- one basking in the sun, and two in the water. The group debated whether the first shape in the water was just a trunk shaped like an alligator’s head. Then a small object hit the water a foot away from the dark shape, and the alligator revealed it’s 16 inch jaw, open to maximum capacity.

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Sketch Instructions:     • Find a natural area away from others to observe everything around you over the next half hour. Do not write or sketch, simply observe. • Eventually focus your attention on one organism or a group of organisms interacting with their immediate environment. More iSites in Appendix A • Focused observation is a powerful skill and will reveal the most surprising things if you stay onas task. During the team’s excursions well as in their free time, iSites were completed to record experiences from nature. These structured observation-based exercises werea a waywould to • On one such Seated Observation a child held a branch in hopes bird witness nature first hand and (re)connect. The iSites also provided opportunities to ask land on it and it did! The child wanted to be the branch and she was. nature the biologized research question and search for opportunities for design. • After 30 minutes have passed, please make your sketch and record your observations.

Example of iSite: Multilevel Observation

Figure 38: Multi-Level ISite Sketch on Altamaha River. Authors’ Image.

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Name: Seated Observation iSite on Island Sketch Instructions

Date: 10/03/15

Location: Sand Island in Middle of Altamaha River

• Find a natural area away from others to observe everything

around you over the next half hour. Do not write or sketch, simply

Focus/Purpose: observe. Eventually focus youron attention on view one organism • • To do observation different range or a group of organisms interacting with their immediate environment.

• Focused observation is a powerful skill and will reveal the most

Observations: suprising things if you stay on task. • • On knees: I saw have fallenpassed leaves,please ball-like fruit, parasitic roots, and mushrooms. After 30 minutes make your sketch and record your observations. • The soil was rich in nutrition because it had thick soil layer. • When I lifted my head: I saw a bunch of bush of the same kind and they Location grew at the same spot. • Sand When I stood up: Iofsaw the riverbank was covered by at least four kinds of Island in Middle Altamaha River trees, which formed a shield for species living beneath. Focus/Purpose

Reflections: To complete observations on multiple ranges of view. • I felt peaceful and calm during the Seated Observation. • Observations I also felt that one could only see the truth of nature when he went deeply and stayed close to the nature. The interactions were different depended on • what On knees: sawhow fallen leaves, Iball like to fruit, parastic roots, and level Iand detailed chose observe. mushrooms.

• The soil was rich in nutrition because it had a thick dark soil layer. Life Principals: • When I lifted my head: I saw a bunch of bushes of the same kind and they grew in the same area.

• When I stood up: I saw the riverbank was covered by at least four kinds of trees, which formed a shield for species living beneath.

Reflections

Be Locally Attuned and Responsive  

• I felt peaceful and calm during the seated observation. • I also felt that one could only seeThe theriver truth ecosystem of nature when he went is formed with deeply and stayed close to nature. The interactions different cooperation by the were species living depending on what level and how detailed I chose to observe.

inside. For example, trees provide shield and nutrition to creatures Life Principles growing beneath them, as a response, Cultivate Cooperative Relationships:creatures return nutrition back to the trees when they are dead.   The river ecosystem is formed with cooperation by the species living inside. For example, trees provide shield and nutrition to creatures growing beneath them, as a response, creatures return nutrition back to the trees when they are dead.

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Champion Organsims More Function Cards in Appendix B

To help continue the team’s emulation of nature, four champion organisms were chosen from the group’s function cards. These organisms are particularly proficient at directly application functions for the Savannah Food Stalk. The rainforest was chosen for the way it stratifies nutrients; the bamboo plant for its elegantly multi-functional forms; the elephant for its especially efficient grinding teeth; and the sphagnum moss for its cleaning ability and modular growth.

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Tropical Rainforest Function: To maximize limited resources within a system and retain nutrients in a closed loop. Strategy: Species in the tropical rainforest collect nutrients and water immediately before rain can leach them away. Mechanism: Despite the low-nutrient level of tropical rainforest soil, the enormous biodiversity allows the rainforest species to create a quasi-closed loop system of nutrients, sustaining its own biodiversity. The different species collect water and other nutrients that enter the cycle as soon as they can, so that there is no loss by leaching of these nutrients and water into the ground. Design Principle: Our design must incorporate a diversity of elements that work together in a closed-loop system so that no nutrient goes to waste.

Closed Loop System

Falling Foliage accumulates on forest floor.

Decaying Organic Material provides nutrients for others to flourish.

Figure 40: Illustration of tropical rainforest biodiversity and levels. Authors’ Image. Figure 39: “Panorama: Tropical Rainforest” Taken by D. Perlman (14 July 2007) Perlman, D. (2007, July 14). Panorama: Tropical Rainforest [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www. ecolibrary.org/images/full_image/Tropical_rainforest_with_buttress_roots_and_lianas_N_ Madagascar_DP9005.jpg Travelling Craze – MOIZ (Photographer). (2015, 11 August). Retrieved from http:// travellingcraze.com/tropical-rainforest-facts/

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Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum) Function: To store large amounts of water Strategy: The space between overlapping leaves serves as a container for water storage. Mechanism: Just like sponges, sphagnum’s leaf is composed of empty, dead cells, which is called hyalocytes, with large pores on them. The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions. These cells have walls strengthened with fibers, which can prevent the cells collapsing or exploding under stress. The walls also have pores in them through which the water (and even other small critters) may enter. Design Principle: Our design must incorporate a sponge-like but strong structure to hold large quantities of water in dry environments.

Cells expand when water enters

Water is stored in cells

Walls strengthened with fibers

Figure 42: Illustration of sphagnum moss’ modular growth. Authors’ Image. Figure 41: Sphagnum Moss. Taken by F. Christian (2008) Christian F, (20082015). Sphagnum moss. Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/ Asknature, (2008-2015). Internal Perforations Transport Nutrients: Sphagnum Moss. Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/254075f8718e7f8564dea6c0c

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Elephant (Elephas maximus) Function: To maximize nutrient release. Strategy: The Elephant’s teeth with multiple ridges efficiently grinds vegetation to maximize the release of nutrients. Mechanism: The elephant’s molars are wide and flat, giving them a perfect shape for grinding vegetation. Ridges on the chewing surface run perpendicular to the orientation of the vegetation entering its mouth. As the molars grind the vegetation which is crushed so efficiently that the release of nutrients is maximized. As the teeth are formed they erupt from the back of the jaw and move from back to front in a conveyor belt fashion. By the time the teeth reach the front of the mouth they are so worm they become useless and pop out being replaced by new ones. There are only four molars in use in an elephant’s mouth at any one time. Design Principle: Our design must utilize efficient grinding ridges so that release of nutrients is maximized.

Nutrients

Food

Figure 44: Elephant’s teeth section view illustration. Authors’ Image. Figure 43: African elephant. Taken by Eugenia and Julian. (6 February 2005) Eugenia & Julian. (6 February 2005). African elephant, Loxodonta Africana [digitalimage]. Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/6b642c93e7426b6d86f IEF. (1998 - 2014). Just for Kids Crafts for Kids! Elephant Diet, Digestion, Gas and Manure. Retrievedfrom http://www.elephantconservation.org /just-for-kids/

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Bamboo (Bambbusoideae) Function: To grow modularly. Strategy: The implementation of nodes creates shorter structural members that are independent, yet still receptive to nutrients, allowing for the stem to reach its maximum height. Mechanism: Due to the rapid growth characteristic of bamboo, nodes segment the stem into shorter and stronger sections (internodes). These sections increase the structural integrity of the organism by creating a smaller length to girth ratio – increasing shear strength. This scale results in the capability to grow narrowly and exponentially taller in a short period of time while remaining structurally sound. The culm itself is composed of densely compacted fibers that facilitate a capillary action of nutrients, causing them to flow through the narrow openings of the fibers against the force of gravity and without the assistance of any external forces. Design Principle: Our design must employ exponentially modular components, so that it increases structural integrity, creates compartments of varying volumes to make efficient use of space, and facilitates the capillary flow of nutrients from bottom-up.

Compartmentalized sections of bamboo allow for integral strength.

Facilitates capillary flow of nutrients from bottom up.

Figure 46: Section view of tapered bamboo stalk. Authors’ Image. Figure 45: Bamboo stalk close-up. Taken by A. Emmanuel Lattes. (15 May 2015). Emmanuel Lattes, A. (Photographer). (2015, 15 May). Retrieved from http://phenomena. nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/15/bamboo-mathematicians/ Complete Bamboo. (n.d). Bamboo Biology – Morphology, Structure, and Anatomy. Retrieved from http://www.completebamboo.com/bamboo_anatomy.html

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Function Matrix Organism

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Function

Alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

To regulate metabolism to conserve nutrients in a cold alpine environment.

Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)

To conserve nutrients in a cold arctic environment.

Bamboo (Bambbusoideae)

To grow modularly.

Banana Tree (Musa)

To absorb potassium.

Black Coral (Antipathes)

To provide structural strength.

Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)

To maintain physical integrity while managing the structural forces that naturally occur.

Bracken (Pteridinium)

To self-sustain, reproduce, and disperse by wind.

Bumble Bee (Bombus)

To store pollen in the corbicula in high volume.

Camel (Camelus)

To conserve nutrients for very long periods of time.

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)

To thermoregulate breathing air.

Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)

To ensure regeneration and resilience after fire.

Coniferous Forest

To thermo-regulate the eco-system.

Coral Polyp (Anthozoa)

To use excess nutrients to build up coral reefs.

Common Glasswort (Salicornia europea)

To evaluate, store, and transport contaminants.

Coniferous Trees (Pinophyta)

To absorb sunlight.

Cyanobacteria (Cylindrospermopsis)

To form and stabilize the soils (not losing nutrients unnecessarily).

Deciduos Forest

To adapt to seasonal changes.

Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

To monitor and secrete high levels of salinity..

Duck Weed (Family Lemnaceae)

To manage amount of oxygen and other chemicals in the water.

Elephant (Elephas maximus)

To maximize nutrient release.

Forest (Silva)

To harness solar energy and transforms it into oxygen.

Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)

To utilize varied nutrient sources.

Great Burdock (Arctium lappa)

To distribute seed.

Ice Worm (Mesenchytraeus solifugus)

To physically adapt to extreme climate.

Table 1: Function Matrix: Alpaca to Ice Algae. The team’s function cards sorted alphabetically, and categorized by organism, function, mechanism, and design principle.

Strategy Alpacas have long, thick, wooly coats which enable them to better regulate their metabolism Conserving heat and regulating metabolism through the evolution of smaller extremities. The implementation of nodes creates shorter structural members that are independent, yet still receptive to nutrients, allowing for the stem to reach its maximum height. Absorbing potassium through osmosis. Black coral creates a strong exterior shell though an internal chemical process.

Design Principle Our design must conserve nutrients under various temperatures, so that our design can be used during all times of the year. Our design must regulate nutrient use, so that there is little to no nutrient loss. Our design must employ exponentially modular components, so that it increases structural integrity, creates compartments of varying volumes to make efficient use of Our design must enable nutrient absorption throughout the plant, so that the plant is healthy and nutritious for human consumption. Our design must have a strong external structure.

The haptera [roots] has adapted to the high-energy system by incorporating flexibility and by allowing for the rotation of the base. Asexual reproduction and wind dispersal of spores to achieve habitat dominance.

Our design must utilize flexible yet strong, so that it creates a structure suitable in areas of high winds, unstable ground, or underwater. Our design must utilize efficient reproductive and dispersal methods, so that it can be self-sustaining.

Bees use the corbicula (a part of the tibia on their hind legs) in harvesting pollen and returning it to the nest or hive.

Our design must incorporate how bees make use of the corbicula, so that powdery food can be stored and transported efficiently. Our design must retain nutrients for long periods of time, so that food can be stored for later use.

Storing nutrients through excess fat cells. The Caribou can change the temperature of cold air to breathe easier.

Our design must change the temperature with internal mechanics so that it is a reliable and adaptable process.

Chamise ensures regeneration after fires by, most notably, producing underground basal burls.

Our design must ensure regeneration, resilience, and survival by incorporating redundancy and variation within its system.

Growth and maintenance of dense overhead cover regulate the eco-system.

Our design must consistently regulate and balance temperature for the continuous circulation of nutrients.

Deposit calcium carbonate throughout the reproductive cycle.

Our design must make productive use of excess nutrients, so that food and nutrients are not wasted.

Absorb contaminants through the root system and store them in the root biomass and/or transport them up into the stems and/or leaves. Coniferous trees optimize sunlight absorption, within a boreal environment, for the purpose of photosynthesis.

Our design must facilitate a tsystem that immobilizes and accumulates pollutants, so that they are moved to a zoned area of a safe distance. Our design must be shaped to allow for greatest absorption and utilization of sunlight, so that it produces adequate nutrients for energy. Our design must incorporate a binder mechanism so that loose material stays in the system where it is needed.

Cyanobacteria stabilizes the soil by sending mycelia through the soil and rock forming an intricate web of fibers which, in turn, join the loose particles of soil together. The forest regulates nutrient consumption despite environmental changes. The lacrimal gland of the diamond back maintains salt balance and allows marine vertebrates to drink seawater. Duckweed grows on the surface of still or slow moving water absorbing nutrients, blocking sunlight and minimizing evaporation. The Elephant’s teeth with multiple ridges efficiently grinds vegetation to maximize the release of nutrients.

Our design must have adaptable nutrient consumption. Our design must identify and excrete excessive amounts of unwanted material, so that it prevents complications. Our design must absorb and release vital chemicals, so that its environment is balanced. Our design must utilize efficient grinding ridges so that release of nutrients is maximized.

Through the process of photosynthesis, the forest utilizes solar energy to release oxygen.

Our design must lead to a complete nutritional cycle.

Jackals practice opportunistic feeding as a means of survival.

Our design must access and utilize different food sources as available locally so that it can be adaptable, efficient, and scalable in different environments. Our design must utilize existing modes of transportation to achieve efficient and passive distribution of nutrients. Our design must adjust to high and low temperatures, so that it is protected from extreme changes in climate.

Burdock attaches itself to other organisms to spread and distribute its seed in a passive manner. The outer membrane of the organism has evolved to resist freezing through the secretion of proteins similar to the properties of anti-freeze.

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Organism Ice Algae (Mesotaenium berggrenii)

To grow under the ice serving as a habitat and food source for fish.

Jewel Beetle (Buprestidae)

To produce hard structure.

Mangrove Leaf (Rhizophora mangle)

To limit the loss of water.

Monsoon Forest

To provide nutrients for the entire ecosystem.

Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis)

To provide a cooling mechanism.

Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis)

To generate electrical energy.

Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus)

To achieve thermal regulation through heat exchange.

Phloem (Phloios)

To transport sugar to various tissues of the plant.

Phytoplankton (Pinophyta)

To produce its own food and energy.

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

To utilize a large variety of food types.

Rifitia Tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila)

To convert chemicals into nutrients in a sunless chemically saturated environment.

Red Tipped Tube Worm (Riftia pachyptia)

To exchange compounds with the environment.

River (Fluminis)

To transport nutrients and waste from and through multiple environments from the mountains to the ocean. To be substantial in size and fit all underwater conditions.

Sea Anemone (Actiniana)

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Function

Sea Oat (Uniola paniculata)

To stabilize and preserve sand dunes.

Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum)

To become saturated with nutrients.

Snow Leapord (Panthera uncia)

o optimize oxygen intake in a boreal environment.

Striped Bass (Morone saxatillis)

To provide penetrative protection.

Temnothorax Ants (Temnothorax albipennis)

To manage and distribute resources.

Termite (Isoptera)

To keep their mounds’ temperature at a stable level.

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Prevent build up of bacteria.

Tropical Rainforest

To maximize limited resources within a system and retain nutrients in a closed loop.

Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

To withstand freezing temperatures.

Upwelling

To Supply nutrients and supports abundant plankton.

Xylem (Xylon)

To transport water from the roots to other plant organs.

Table 2: Function Matrix: Ice Algae to Xylem. The team’s function cards sorted alphabetically, and categorized by organism, function, mechanism, and design principle.

Strategy

Design Principle

Algae uses photosynthesis to create nutrition in their physical forms creating nutrition for primary and secondary consumers.

Our design must create sources of nutrients that can support whole systems, so that it is self sufficient.

Larval jewel beetle through bio-mineralization create hard mandibles from soft compound.

Our design must be able to use available materials or compounds to create strong hard structure.

Limit the amount of water they lose through their leaves by restricting the opening of their stomata.

Our design must have adjustable openings, so that it allows or restricts the movement of nutrients.

Monsoon forests are made up of various organisms that aid in the recycling and provision of nutrients.

Our design must balance growth and development in the environment.

Hair structure and wing movement of the oriental hornet create thermal convention currents for cooling purpose.

Our design must incorporate a relatively passive cooling mechanism in optimize energy.

Oriental hornets generate electrical energy though the different rates at which yellow and brow bands absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The hollow core hair follicles reflect light and trap heat.

Our design must incorporate different color to generate electrical energy though varying rates of ultraviolet radiator absorption. Our design must regulate temperature regardless of external elements so that it can insulate internal mechanisms.

Phloem is a living tissue that transports organic material made in the leaves during photosynthesis to all other cells in

Our design must incorporate different concentrations of solutes so that nutrient transport is achieved by

Conversion of energy into food.

Our design must efficiently utilize sunlight, so that it produces food and nutrients essential to other organisms.

Raccoons are resourceful, sensitive and roam widely which allows them to gather a large variety of nutrients and adapt to changing conditions quickly. The Rifitia Tubeworms have internal bacteria that perform chemosynthesis, converting the chemical into nutrients.

Our design must utilize a variety of nutritional sources, so that adaption to changing conditions can happen quickly.

The implementation of nodes creates shorter structural members that are independent, yet still receptive to nutrients, allowing for the stem to reach its maximum height. Snow leopards have adapted nasal cavities that warm cold air, which helps increase oxygen intake in high altitudes.

Our design must convert chemicals from its immediate environment into nutrients and energy, so that more resources are made available. Our design must convert expelled nutrients into reusable organic matter through chemosythesis so that it can be self sustaining. Our design must passively transport nutrients and waste through a system, so that they are used efficiently and cyclically. Our design must incorporate shape changing features for water storage. Water may also be a part of the structure, which will achieve the goal of multiple tasks in one design. Our design must extract nutrients and provide stability, so that it promotes and preserves growth even in harsh conditions. Our design must employ exponentially modular components, and facilitates the capillary flow of nutrients from bottom-up. Our design must optimize the intake of oxygen, so that organisms can thrive in a limited environment.

Striped bass scales provide high resistance to penetration giving high protection.

Our design must provide highly effective protection from mechanical injury.

After a famine, ant colonies assess their food supply and distribute food throughout the colony.

Our design must include strategically located distribution hubs, specialized roles, and silos so as to ensure efficient distribution and access of nutrients. Our design must incorporate termite mounds’ structure so that the temperature could be controlled in a low-energy consumption way. Our design must utilize antibacterial surfaces so that it protects against foreign agents.

Bacteria converts oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide into organic molecules so the host worm can feed. Rivers passively use gravity creating flow to transport nutrition and waste through multiple environments, recycling the waste and gathering nutrition. Sea anemone uses material viscosity to change the size of its body wall. Stabilizing sand dunes and beach plant communities by trapping wind-blown sand.

Termites have devised a system of vents and channels inside the mounds to maintain the inner temperature constant at 30.5 degrees celcius. The tightly woven scales make a challenging surface for microorganisms to cling too. Species in the tropical rainforest collect nutrients and water immediately before rain can leach them away. By flooding its blood with glucose, it can enter a cryogenic state to preserve its body until warmer weather is present.

Our design must incorporate a diversity of elements that work together in a closed-loop system so that no nutrient goes to waste. By flooding its blood with glucose, it can enter a cryogenic state to preserve its body until warmer weather is present.

Utilizing upwelling for nutrients transport.

Our Design must actively renovate the living conditions

Xylem works as a transport tissue that moves water and minerals through vessels to access various parts of the

Our design must include a moisture differential so that all nutrients are dispersed to all parts of the plant.

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This graphic demonstrates the “walk across the function bridge” from scoping the design challenge to biologizing the research question and discovering models in nature. The outcome are abstracted design principles that guide the design process by offering nature’s genius packaged in design language.

DESIGN STATEMENT

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Our design must enable resilient self-sustaining food production methods in urban areas.

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BIOLOGIZED QUESTION

PROJECT VISION

FUNCTION BRIDGE

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Figure 48: Savannah Food Stalk Function Bridge. Authors’ Image.

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Our design facilitates the accessibility to locally grown, quality organic food and strengthens communities.

4

ign D es

Pr

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Our d

BIOLOGIZED RESEARCH QUESTION

le ab En

Employ exponentially modular components

E

IN

How does nature manage nutrition flow in an ecosystem?

S C IPLE

es

Utilize efficient grinding ridges

Bamboo

Elephant

NATURE’S DESIGN STRATEGIES Utilize a stratification system

Utilize a nutrient translocation mechanism

Rain Forest

Sphagnum Moss

Our design must incorporate a sponge-like but strong structure to hold large quantities of water in dry environments. Our design must utilize efficient grinding ridges so that release of nutrients is maximized.

design must employ modular components, so that it increases structural integrity and facilitates the capillary flow of nutrients from bottom-up. Our design must incorporate a diversity of elements that work together in a closed-loop system so that no nutrient goes to waste.

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Additional Design Criteria To provide people with an innovative and easy way to grow food. With the hive center, to provide community built around the culture of self-grown healthy food. To provide small scale food production to urban environments. To contain decomposing material for multitude of weeks without releasing smell. To distribute the composted material into the soil without destroying plants/root system. To develop hubs in which vegetables can be grown at a large scale in a matrix that consists of modular containers. To provide a service that allows nearby residents to purchase vegetables in the hubs or take them away for further growing at home. Residents can also bring vegetables back to the hubs for better attention or exchanges with other species. To vertically compost with adequate ventilation, will help with odor and allow oxygen to enter. To efficiently incorporate bugs and other organisms in the composting process as a component rather than as a pestilence. To recycle the water extracted from the plants and the compost itself, and in turn regulate water usage so the compost does not become too dry or too moist. To integrate local farmers’ production and improve the consumption of the same. To demonstrate that through this project, we will increase the interest and the consumption (qualitatively and scientifically) by families of middle and low income of these qualifying products , justifying the time and process of designing and creating new artifacts. Design a farming modular unit that is self sustained and has balanced elements in order to reproduce cycles that have zero waste. Design a unit that takes advantage of natural components and is able to distribute the essential resources to enhance farming condition.

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CONCLUSION During the discovering phase the team was able to gain insight into how nature manages nutrition in her ecosystems through field excursions and in-depth research. These excursions were also inspiring and helped the team reconnect to nature, making for an uplifting experience. During this phase, the team also organized the collected information in such a way as to understand it in relation to the life principles. These experiences prepared us for the next step of our process: solving the problem through emulation, innovation, and collaboration.

Figure 49: Image of wetland tree during canoe excursion. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 50: Ideation process. Authors’ Image.

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CREATING After intensive secondary research, field research and various iSites, the class began a collaborative brainstorm for the design with a design charrette, which lasted 12 hours. Development of concept models and conceptual prototypes began. Based off of these concept models, an informative story was developed, which further explored the possibilities for a solution. This brainstorming led to a refinement of concept sketches, more secondary and primary research, and potential prototypes, which integrated the 26 life principles, all while adhering to the Biomimicry framework. After preliminary designs and development, final refinement of conceptual sketches and prototypes, the class finalized an idea that revolved around a product. Four champion organisms were selected to aid in the design and what each function could provide for the system. The final product design, which encompasses a modular, self-sustaining composting and nutrient stratification system, will address the food desert issue in Savannah and increase accessibility to healthy and homegrown foods.

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DESIGN CHARRETTE Immediately following the discovering phase, the team dove head first into creating with the design charette. The team gathered objects from both the human and natural worlds, and prepared three studios. Each team member invited friends from the community and from SCAD to join, to provide open and fresh minds and different perspectives. After a brief discussion about biomimicry, our design statement and function cards, the participants split into three teams. The process began with building a kinesthetic model, built silently to engage intuition for more instinctive forms of communication. Then, the models were interpreted into vague concepts and ideas by all teams. From there, the teams split off again, with some guests leaving, and thus the group began shaping specific solutions through visualization and conversation while asking how nature would solve issues that arose. At the end of the day, each team presented a possible design solution to meet the challenge outlined in the scoping and discovering phases. From those ideas, the design team decided to follow through with one: a modular agricultural system that would compost and grow food on a small scale, so that it could function in an urban environment.

Figure 51: Phase One of Charrette: Guests learning about Function Cards. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 52: Phase Two of Charrette: Abstractin. Authors’ Image.

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After the first brainstorming session, the team returned to research various organisms and mechanisms that could better aid our design. The team decided on four champion organisms to inform the design. Further research was gathered to support the specific champion mechanisms that were extracted and mimicked for the design. As our concept developed, the team adapted ideas to grow food vertically and indoors. Issues arose which needed to be addressed and solved within the design. For instance, how will the design cope with odor, bugs, and vermin? Will the product allow for enough oxygen for proper composting and aeration? How will water and compost move throughout the system efficiently? Once these questions surfaced, the team turned back to nature and delved into extensive research, looking for organisms that presented possible solutions. Duckweed, bamboo, and sphagnum moss were studied for their specific mechanisms, specifically involving nutrient extraction and stratification and sanitation. The team researched various edible plants and their extensive root structures to ensure that the design could efficiently support these plants. Proper dimensioning needed to be considered in order to determine which plants could thrive successfully within the system. Adequate and overall depths were considered in order to support an abundance of various plants. Promising plants considered were: snap peas, green onions, kale, arugula, lettuce, and spinach. With these plants in mind, three modular depths were considered for the product; one at 4 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches. These three depths will allow for adequate and appropriate growth for plants.

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Figure 53: Team’s Form Studies. Authors’ Image.

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As the team moved forward with the design, they continued to revisit nature and the champion organisms for solutions. Through exploring form, the team directed their attention to bamboo, for its strength and modularity. The team brainstormed various possibilities through quick sketches. These sketches were then refined to fit the functions. After much debate and discussion, the design was finalized and rendered.

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Figure 54: Team’s Modular Form Studies. Authors’ Image.

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Our design must utilize efficient grinding ridges so that release of nutrients is maximized.

At the top of the Food Stalk, compost material is manually poured in and ground by a mechanism inspired by the grinding of elephants’ teeth. Water is added to keep compost moist and disperse the nutrients. The ground compost then passes through a filter into tubes that distributes it at each level through one-way valves. The system stratifies nutrients much like a rainforest, only instead of each niche being different, each niche is replicated identically. Gravity and pressure are used to move the liquified compost slurry through the system, much like how plants move nutrients through their systems. The unabsorbed nutrients are collected in a drawer at the bottom, which can then be poured into the top to continue the cycle. The form was further refined to fit the function. Angles were cut into the bottom shelves along with small windows to allow more sunlight to enter. Once a design direction was established, we started research sustainable materials to use in manufacturing. like bamboo, fungus, and biodegradable plastics.

Our design must employ modular components, so that it increases structural integrity, creates compartments of varying volumes to make efficient use of space, and facilitates the capillary flow of nutrients from bottom-up.

Our design must incorporate a sponge-like but strong structure to hold large quantities of water in dry environments.

Our design must incorporate a diversity of elements that work together in a closedloop system so that no nutrient goes to waste.

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Figure 55: Savannah Food Stalk Technical Line Drawings. Authors’ Image.

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Prototype To make the prototype, the team used readily available materials like pvc, polyurethane, recycled wood and resin. They understood that these were not sustainable materials, but used them because of affordability and ease of access. Having access to a shop made the process quicker and the team got to use chisels, a table saw, drill press, and dremel. The first thing the building group did was measure and cut the pvc pipes into equal sections. The next step was to open the different cavities in the external structure. An inner and outer section of pipe were joined together with polyurethane to make a hollow structure. Once these two pieces were joined, we sanded the extra material and surfaces to define details and improve surface quality. For the modules that will support the plants we cut smaller pipes and molded them to the requirements from the technical drawings.

Figures 56-59: Mock-up process shots. Building took place in SCAD’s Industrial Design’s Gulfstream shop. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 60: Product shot of Savannah Food Stalk mock-up. Authors’ Image. Figures 61-64: Detail shots of Savannah Food Stalk mock-up components. Clockwise: Single Plant-Growing Module, Closed Grinding Mechanism, Open Grinding Component , CloseUp of Modules inside Structure. Authors’ Image.

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Module Unit

Figure 65: Digital Prototype: Close-Up of Single Module- Back View. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 66: Digital Prototype: Front View of Single Module and Bottom of Structure. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 67: Digital Prototype: Nutrient Flow and Component Function Illustration. Authors’ Image.

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The design consists of three significant modular sizes, that allow various plants to be grown within. The sizes, each measured by depth, are: 4, 8, and 12 inches. The product is ideal for in-home use or within a community garden where people could deliver their compost, pick up fresh herbs and vegetables, or an entire Food Stalk Farm of growing plants! Figure 68: Digital Prototype: Three Views of Savannah Food Stalk Modular Unit. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 69: Inspection of compartmentalized Camellia leaves in Botanical Garden. Authors’ Image.

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EVALUATING The team began the evaluation process early into the Creation phase. At the beginning of the charette, each person chose three principles to keep in mind during the workday. This was a tactic meant to keep the group on track, and prevent any derailing from the Biomimicry process. A more formal evaluation process was undertaken once the Savannah Food Stalk design was solidified. This time the twenty-six life principles were distributed among the team members. Each person was tasked with an indepth assessment of how the design followed these fundamentals or, in some cases, how it failed to do so.

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How does the team’s design deviate from nature?

What would nature not do here?

The only element straying from nature is the user-operated and handling care needed to maintain the health of the plants and upkeep of the system in order to ensure the design continues to work. Nature does not need humans to work. However humans need nature.

Nature would be sure to not create waste. Nature is a closed loop system and any and all biproducts created in the consumption and decomposition of nutrients are recycled by another organism or species.

What would nature do here? Nature continuously finds ways to replenish its growth regardless of external conditions. Except in the case of extreme environmental degradation or the introduction of toxic elements, nature will use its local resources to ensure it continues to function.

Figure 70: Bamboo Garden at Botanical Garden. Authors’ Image.

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What materials could be used that would fulfill our manufacturing needs and be sustainable? The design could utilize the material developed by a previous biomimicry project, LOOP. The LOOP team have suggested the possibility of upcycling bone and meat waste into 3D printing filament which could be used to print this product. A material such as this would meet our need for cheap, flexible manufacturing and be sustainable.

In which ways does this design lead to sustainable futures?

How could this design be improved?

The most sustainable aspect of the design is the user’s ability to provide food for her/ himself while utilizing food waste they would have otherwise thrown away. By limiting the transportation of produce from regional to international farming that would eventually end up at the local grocery store, we are reducing a carbon footprint that greatly impacts our society. Any opportunity for an individual or family to naturally provide for themselves, what they would otherwise have to pay for, is sustainable.

The design can be improved by the introduction of an electronic monitoring system that allows the user to be able to recognize when the compost or plants need to be changed or even when the system is lacking in water or nutrients. The system is designed for a first time user who has never had the opportunities to garden and grow food for her/himself. Any innovation in the realm of immediately assisting or alerting the user when a problem arises would be an ideal improvement.

Unresolved Issues with proposed prototype Current Limitations/Obstacles Still Needed to Be Overcome

Unknown factors to be considered



Where in the home will the design is located? Does the home have adequate light for the plants to grow? Does the home have space for an indoor system?



—User Knowledge —Communal Integration

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Evaluated Life Principles Adapt to Changing Conditions

Structural Stability of Model

Incorpotate Diversity

Multiple Processes

Maintain Integrity Through SelfRenewal

Closed Nutrient Loop

Embody Resilience Through Variation, Redundancy, and Decentralization

Variation of Functions

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If a part of the model is damaged, renewing or fixing the model is easy because modularity is built into the design.

The design accounts for changes in nutrient levels and is able to respond to them.

The design has a built-in closed-loop nutrient cycle which achieves self-renewal: food scraps are added to the compost side; this compost feeds the crop; plant left-overs, after harvesting and consumption, are added to the compost which in turn feeds the next generation of the plant.

The system is resilient in that it performs multiple functions that are at once separate yet integrated. Modularity brings decentralization to the design, as it performs its various functions in as many instances as the user desires. Finally, different stages of nutrients and their distribution bring about variation to the design.

Table 3: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Adapt to Changing Conditions.

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Be Locally Attuned and Responsive

Modularity and Structure

Leverage Cyclic Processes

Water Cycle and Solar Orientation

Use Readily Available Materials and Energy

Materiality and Energy Processes

Use Feedback Loops

Transfer of Nutrients

Cultivate Cooperative Relationships

Plant Selection and Community Impact

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Our design adapts to an urban environment where horizontal space is limited by using vertical space.

The product makes use of, but may not completely rely on, the water released during the compost decomposition and plant transpiration. Because the product is meant to both compost and grow plants, it needs to be placed near an east- or south-facing window to access the most sunlight. Plant health will ultimately rely on the correct orientation and the utilization of solar energy.

The materials used to construct the product will be locally sourced and as recyclable as possible. The system uses a small implementation of human power to grind the compost, the laws of gravity and naturally ocurring pressure for transport and distribution, and plant biology for water and nutrient management.

Nutrients flow from the compost into the sphagnum moss where the plant grows. Scraps from the plant (after consumption) are added back into the compost, and recycled again and again. This process creates a cyclical system within the design, which can be observed and adjusted based on the demands of the users and community.

The combination of plants we use will complement each other to successfully apply the concept of stratifying nutrients. The design is relatively simple to use and implement at a larger scale, allowing it to serve as a tool for teaching its user about reusing his/her “waste” in order to reintroduce nutrients to plants he/she will eventually consume. The live plants help clean the air and thrive off of the users’ compost as they grow.

Table 4: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Be Locally Attuned and Responsive

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Use Life-Friendly Chemistry

Natural Processes

Break Down Products into Benign Constituents

Composting

Build Selectively with a Small Subset of Elements

Phases and Subsystems

Do Chemistry in Water

Water Diluter

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The design relies solely on natural processes and involves no artificial components or processes.

One of the main functions our design performs is breaking down food scraps that would normally go to a landfill and convert them into readily usable compost “mash.”

The design has been assembled in the most elegant form possible. It carries out very specific functions by utilizing unexpectedly simple processes. There are, however, several components of the design that could be further refined, such as the duckweed system for cleaning water and the regulation of water that the different plant species need in order to thrive.

Water is used as a vehicle for moving nutrients from compost to plants.

Table 5: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Use Life-Friendly Chemistry

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Be Resource Efficient (Material and Energy)

Energy and Materials Used

Use Low Energy Processes

Water and Nutrient Transportation

Use Multi-Functional Design

Basis of Design

Recycle all Materials

Inputs and Outputs

Fit Form to Function

Shape of Design

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Energy-wise, the design is very efficient, because it does not require external energy supply.

The design incorporates a passive form of water and nutrient transportion inspired by aqueducts in the bamboo plant, and how water is naturally transferred through osmosis from an area of less concentrated solutes to a higher concentration of solutes.

In nature every system is related and codependent. Mirroring this, the design brings both decomposing and growing of food together into one structure unlike growers and composters which serve only one purpose.

Working in a closed loop is at the crux of the design. The composter takes food scraps that would otherwise be condemned to the landfill, and creates compost that directly feeds the plants being grown. Water travels from the compost side to the plant, as well, to ensure the most efficient use and reuse of water.

This is a life principle that has been taken very seriously in the design. Major examples of fitting form to function guided our decisions to integrate bamboo and elephants as champion organisms for the design. The bamboo was specifically chosen because of its modularity and efficiency at transporting nutrients through its inner walls. elephant teeth were chosen because as the largest land mammals their teeth have to be exceptional at grinding plant material to obtain most of the nutrients embedded in the food source. Table 6: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Be Resource Efficient

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Integrate Development with Growth

Modularity

Self-Organize

Water and Compost

Build from the Bottom-Up

Design Components

Combine Modular and Nested Components

Compartments

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The design utilizes a modular design which allows it to be added to or subtracted from depending on the need. Each module is independent of one another, meaning they can operate as smaller, individual units or combined to create a larger, fully functioning system.

Once added to the stratification system, these elements interact to sustain and enrich the plants for growth without much more user involvement needed.

The design is assembled component by component, starting at the bottom, with the empty volume, then the sphagnum moss and plants, duckweed, water, scraps that will become “nutrient mash”, and finally the compost grinder.

The design includes compartmentalization of each varying section. Water, compost, & plants each have their own area where they respectively live. There are also removable compartments and drawers for extraction and cleaning. Finally, the entire design is modular and can be as small or as big as the user or community desire.

Table 7: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Integrate Development with Growth

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Evolve to Survive

User ability to provide food

Replicate Strategies that Work

Form, process, systems

Integrate the Unexpected

Grinding mechanism and varying functions

Reshuffle Information

User operated transfer of compost nutrients to various plants in the design

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Our design allows the user to take food into their own hands by making it easier and more accesible to grow their own produce. By utylizing this design, users can provide themselves with sustenance and lessen their susceptibility to external economic nfluences, dependency on grocery store availability and market prices.

By looking to champion organisms for as many design choices as we could, we ensured that the design replicated as many forms, processes, and systems in nature as it could. The overall design follows the structures and transportation channels of bamboo, the grinder component mirrors elephants teeth, duckweed is used for its cleaning properties, and the stratification of nutrients emulates that of the rainforest.

For large pieces of compost that may take longer to break down naturally, the grinding mechanism allows for smaller particle break down, which helps speed up the decomposition process. Additionally, composters and growers usually serve one specific purpose only, but our design combines composting with the growing of food in a single unit to provide an entire life cycle.

The design allows for compost nutrients to move to each area of plant/vegetable growth with the incorporation of a user operated system. Although information isn’t necessarily being transferred, nutrients are. We utilize forms, processes, systems, and entire organisms that have never been combined before to create a complex yet completely intuitive solution for our design statement.

Table 8: Life Principles Evaluation Chart:Evolve to Survive

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Appendices

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Figure 71: Heart of Palm, Authors’ Image

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Appendix A

iSite excersizes from excursion trips.

iSite 1: Organism Adaptation

Figure 72: Illustration of pneumatophore in Grey’s Reef Sanctuary. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

In your iSite focus on one organism to which you really related. How has your organism adapted to its environment? What do you think its predators and prey are? What niche does it fulfill? How does your organism adapt daily to changes in its environment? What are those daily changes? How has the organism adapted to those changes to survive and thrive? Sketch your observations and include biotic and abiotic factors, predator and prey. Depict its functions and adaptations as best you can.

Date

10/03/15

Location

Skidaway, Grey’s Reef Sanctuary

Focus/Purpose

Observe the relationship of organisms within an ecosystem and how they are connected.

Observations

Pneumatophore Hollow insides allow the structure to store air, support the plant, and allow plants to breath in moist air. Pores can be discovered that allow the plant to obtain nutrients and air.

Reflections

Pneumatophore - having a special root system plays into the development of the tree. The roots play several roles in the tree’s life including supporting structure, storing air/water in hollow inside, spreading around to expand the surface area that enables bringing in more nutrition for the main tree.

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iSite 2: Seated Observation

Figure 73: Illustration of ants working together to transport an acorn. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

Find a natural area away from others to observe everything around you over the next half hour. Do not write or sketch, simply observe. Eventually focus your attention on one organism or a group of organisms interacting with their immediate environment. Focused observation is a powerful skill and will reveal the most surprising things if you stay on task. On one such Seated Observation a child held a branch in hopes a bird would land on it and it did! The child wanted to be the branch and she was. After 30 minutes have passed, please make your sketch and record your observations.

Date

10/07/15

Location

Walden Lake

Focus/Purpose

Animals Food Transportation

Observations

Ants move together around the acorn. They arrange in a line to pull each others rear legs. New ants come into the group continuosly to take the place of ants that have been working for a while.

Reflections

Pulling/dragging activity seems to take a lot of effort but the way the ants deal with it seems to save energy. The organization of ants is very efficient. How could they share information in order to work like they are all being controlled by one mind.

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iSite 3: Organism Function

Figure 74: Illustration of butterfly’s flight pattern and sin wave. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

Go for a walk downtown, around your apartment, along a river or stream, in a park, anywhere and find one organism that fascinates you. It may take a while to find something on which to focus but don’t rush this exercise. Letting things happen and flow around you is a powerful skill in observing life. When you find your focus of interest, observe its immediate surroundings and then how its immediate surroundings connect to its larger scale surroundings. How does your organism survive and thrive? Is it camouflaged? How does it conform to its habitat or not? What do you think its predators and prey are? What niche does it fulfill? Sketch your observations and include biotic and abiotic factors, predator, prey and its function.

Date

10/01/15

Location

Forsyth Park

Focus/Purpose

Understanding the flight path of a butterfly.

Observations

The flight path of a butterfly is like a sin wave. They flap their wings at different frequencies during the process. They only flap their wings when they are rising up.

Reflections

Energy saving movement Taking the effects of gravity to glide as to only exert effort when rising in elevation. Flapping wing flight is an ideal flight method for future technologies.

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iSite 4: Leap to Innovation

Figure 75: Illustration of pinecone structure embedded in tent protective system. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

Sketch the life cycle of this iSite as we investigated and observed it. Begin with one organism, plant, or animal, showing its connectivity to other organisms. Include biotic and abiotic factors, predators and prey, and shelter. Draw your interpretation as expansive as your imagination leads.

Date

10/31/15

Location

Forsyth Park

Focus/Purpose

Organism Function

Observations

Pine cone has very sharp points on spine of fruit shell which prevents squirrels from eating their fruits. The spine is a variation of leafs.

Reflections

We can take the function of the pine cone spike structure and apply it to a “prevention” design. Introducing the innovation into a “beast prevention” design for a tent so the design protects the occupants from beast attacks.

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iSite 5: Connectivity

Figure 76: Illustration of geranium’s response to mosquito bite. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

Sketch the life cycle of this iSite as investigated and observed. Begin with one organism, plant or animal, showing its connectivity to other organisms. Include biotic and abiotic factors, predators and prey and shelter. Draw your interpretation as expansively as your imagination leads.

Date

10/14//15

Location Back Yard

Focus/Purpose Connectivity iSite

Observations

I saw a mosquito land on the stem of a geranium and take a bite. The same situation happened to me too. Then after 15 minutes I found that there were no more mosquitos around me and the geranium. The geranium emitted and aroma after being bitten which drove the mosquitos far away.

Reflections

The responsive feed back mechanism helps the geranium create an environment that benefits itself. It also provides benefits to other creatures (human/plants) by driving away pesky bugs. We can use this mechanism in pest control.

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iSite 6: Designer Client Communication

Figure 77: Illustration of Iris plant structure attracting bees. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

Sketch the life cycle of this iSite as perceived from your partner’s point of view. Begin with one organism, plant, or animal, showing its connectivity to other organisms. Include biotic and abiotic factors, predators and prey, and shelter. Focus on listening and visually describing your interpretation as expansive as your imagination leads.

Date

09/17/15

Location Balcony

Focus/Purpose

Study how plant structure can affect other organisms.

Observations

The strucure of the Iris plant looks like a “road.” This attracts bees to enter the flower deeply which takes the bee past an area full of pollen before gathering the honey.

Reflections

The Iris combines multiple functions within one structure which allows them to finish pollination. As long as attracting bees, the effective strategy enables them to survive and multiply rapidly.

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iSite 7: Niche in a System

Figure 78: Illustration of Sweet Gum Tree and Seed. Authors’ Image.

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Sketch Instructions

Sketch the life cycle of this iSite as we investigated and observed it. Begin with one organism, plant, or animal, showing its connectivity to other organisms. Include biotic and abiotic factors, predators and prey, and shelter. Draw your interpretation as expansive as your imagination leads.

Date

10/20/15

Location

Jones Street

Focus/Purpose

Organism Function

Observations

The structure of the sweet gum fruit shell can hold as many as 50 seeds in one pod. Birds come to eat seeds from the fruit that have fallen on the ground. The spiked fruits can prevent large animals from swallowing them but give birds the opportunity to carry them in their stomach to be excreted as seed transmission.

Reflections

We can use this stucture in a situation when we need to protect things from large threats but provide opportunities for small transmitors. This would make it easy to contain important things in large, aggressive structures.

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Appendix B The rest of the function cards completed by the class

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Figure 79: Camelia Flower. Authors’ Image.

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ALPACA (Vicugna pacos) Function: To regulate metabolism to conserve nutrients in a cold alpine environment. Strategy: Alpacas have long, thick, wooly coats which enable them to better regulate their metabolism (Chisolm 1911). Mechanism: The thick coat allows the alpaca to regulate metabolism, and conserve heat and nutrients in both warm and cold temperatures. The wool coat provides warmth, but prevents the alpaca from overheating in warmer months, and ensures that the alpaca metabolizing food at a consistent, appropriate rate, allowing it to survive and thrive efficiently in all climates. Design Principle: Our design must conserve nutrients under various temperatures, so that our design can be used during all times of the year.

Fur Fat Layer Protection from cold temperatures

Dréo, J. (2007, June 26). Unshorn alpaca grazing. [digital image]. Retrieved from https:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Unshorn_alpaca_grazing.jpg Chisholm, H. (1911). Alpaca. In Encyclopædia Britannica Volume 1.

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ARCTIC FOX (Vulpes lagopus) Function: To conserve nutrients in a cold arctic environment. Strategy: Conserving heat and regulating metabolism through the evolution of smaller extremities (Prestrud, 1991). Mechanism: The arctic fox has evolved to have a low surface area to volume ratio, with small ears, muzzle, and tail, and a small body with a high fat content, to conserve heat. Smaller extremities prevent heat from escaping the body, preserving the fox’s metabolism, ensuring that most heat is preserved for the vital organs. Because of their temperature regulation and high fat content, they can regulate their digestion and survive longer periods of time without requiring another food source, since food is often scarce in the arctic. Design Principle: Our design must regulate nutrient use, so that there is little to no nutrient loss.

Algkalv. (2010, February 22). Terianniaq qaqortaq (Arctic Fox) [digital image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terianniaq-Qaqortaq-arctic-fox.jpgthttps:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terianniaq-Qaqortaq-arctic-fox.jpg Prestrud, P. (1991, June). Adaptations by the Arctic Fox to the Polar Winter. Retrieved from http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/arctic44-2-132.pdfhttp://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/ arctic/arctic44-2-132.pdf

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BANANA TREE (Musa) Function: To absorb potassium. Strategy: Absorbing potassium through osmosis (Athiamoorthy and Jeyabaskaran, n.d.) . Mechanism: The banana tree is naturally more acidic than most other plants, so it absorbs potassium to enable it to grow and produce edible fruit, while also removing the potassium that most other plants don’t need, enabling them to grow. Because the tree is naturally more acidic it absorbs the potassium, which is a base, more readily than other plants. Minerals such as potassium are dissolved into the soil. Root hair cells absorb water, to hydrate the plant, but also contain carrier molecules, which pick up on minerals and absorb them into the root hair cells, beginning the process of providing nutrients for the plant. From the root hair cells, the nutrients and water travel from the root hair cells, into the greater root system, and throughout the entire plant, eventually reaching the leaves and fruits. Water and nutrients travel through a xylem, through osmosis, traveling from water-rich and nutrient-rich areas of the plant, to water-deficient and nutrient deficient parts. Design Principle: Our design must enable nutrient absorption throughout the plant, so that the plant is healthy and nutritious for human consumption.

Cooper, C. (2008, April 11). Punta Cana Banana Tree [digital image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Punta_Cana_banana_tree.jpg Athiamoorthy, S.S. AND Jeyabaskaran, K.J. :. (n.d.). Potassium Management of Banana. Retrieved from http://www.ipipotash.org/udocs/Potassium%20Management%20of%20 Banana.pdf

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BLACK CORAL (Antipathes) Function: To provide structural strength. Strategy: Black coral creates a strong exterior shell though an internal chemical process. Mechanism: Black coral has an exterior shell that is strong due to the weak bond of chitin strands with strong crosslinked proteins. Black corals form a structural framework of a carbohydrate polymer (chitin) in strands. The strands are connected adjacently through weak hydrogen bonds that produce a foundation for which strong proteins attach. The tight bond hardens the composite material of the structural framework. This application is different for the different types of species of black coral to protect itself. Design Principle: Our design must have a strong external structure.

Water is absorbed through roots

Dupont, B. (2012, November 30). Black coral [Digital image]. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/b5e6cf826cbea829a5e5d6ebee580027 Biopolymer composites prevent structural failure: Black coral, (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/b5e6cf826cbea829a5e5d6ebee580027

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Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) Function: To maintain physical integrity while managing the structural forces that naturally occur. Strategy: The haptera [roots] has adapted to the high-energy system by incorporating flexibility and by allowing for the rotation of the base. Mechanism: The holdfast uses a flexible network of root-like haptera or anchors to attach the kelp to the ocean floor. By being flexible the haptera allow the kelp’s base to rotate slightly, thus providing some protection from the high torque created by waves (The Biomimicry Institute, n.d.). Design Principle: Our design must utilize flexible yet strong, so that it creates a structure suitable in areas of high winds, unstable ground, or underwater.

Furrugia, T. (Photographer). (2014, January 16). California Kelp Forest [digital image]. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/16/science/la-sci-sn-fukushima-kelpwatch-20140116 The Biomimicry Institute (n.d.). Anchor Has Flexibility: Bull Kelp. Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/92473fa53a6fa3e64ca6740ec10703f1

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BRACKEN (Pteridinium) Function: To self-sustain, reproduce, and disperse by wind. Strategy: Asexual reproduction and wind dispersal of spores to achieve habitat dominance. Mechanism: Bracken ferns are vascular plants, which reproduce sexually as well as asexually through spores. Sori located on the underside of the ferns’ fronds produce spores that are dispersed by wind. This allows the spores to be widely distributed and ultimately dominate new areas. Bracken ferns are well adapted to fire and are the first plants to reappear after a forest or prairie fire because of wind dispersal (UWLAX, 2007). Design Principle: Our design must utilize efficient reproductive and dispersal methods, so that it can be self-sustaining.

Warner, Chuck (Photographer). (2015). Bracken Fern. Retrieved from http://www.fs.fed. us/wildflowers/regions/eastern/AuTrainSongbirdTrail/images/brackenfern_lg.jpg University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. (2007). Bracken Fern. Retrieved from https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2013/schaefer_rach/adaptation.html

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BUMBLEBEE (Bombus) Function: To store pollen in the corbicula in high volume Strategy: Bees use the corbicula (a part of the tibia on their hind legs) in harvesting pollen and returning it to the nest or hive. Mechanism: As female bumblebees move from flower to flower pollen sticks to their body hair and in turn coalesces into one mass, which she then stores in her corbicula. The corbicula is a polished cavity surrounded by a fringe of hairs into which the bee stores the pollen. A bumblebee moistens her forelegs with a protruding tongue and brushes the pollen that has collected on her head, body and forward appendages to the hind legs. The pollen is transferred to the pollen comb on the hind legs and then combed, pressed, compacted, and transferred to the corbicula on the outside surface of the tibia of the hind legs Design Principle: Our design must incorporate how bees make use of the corbicula, so that powdery food can be stored and transported efficiently.

Muhammad Mahdi Karim. Apis mellifera flying [digital image]. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_basket#/media/File:Apis_mellifera_flying.jpg Muhammad Mahdi Karim. Apis mellifera flying [digital image]. Retrieved from https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_basket#/media/File:Apis_mellifera_flying.jpg

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CAMEL (Camelus) Function: To conserve nutrients for very long periods of time. Strategy: Storing nutrients through excess fat cells (Vann Jones, 2008). Mechanism: Because camels have a high body fat percentage, they can survive without finding a food source for some time, by breaking down their excess fat cells and metabolizing them. Fat cells are the first cells in the body that are metabolized if the body doesn’t intake enough calories, and because the camel can survive without the excess fat, they can survive for a long time solely by breaking down their fat cells. Design Principle: Our design must retain nutrients for long periods of time, so that food can be stored for later use.

O’Neill, J. (2007, July 7). Camel Profile Near Silverton, NSW [digital image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:07._Camel_Profile,_near_Silverton,_NSW,_07.07 .2007.jpg Vann Jones, K. (2008, January 7). What Secrets Lie Within The Camel’s Hump? Retrieved from http://www.djur.cob.lu.se/Djurartiklar/Kamel.html

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CARIBOU (Rangifer tarandus) Function: To thermoregulate breathing air Strategy: The Caribou can change the temperature of cold air to breathe easier. Mechanism: Nasoturbinal bones are curled thin bones in the nose that support thin tissues, that are richly supplied with blood vessels to warm icy air when breathed in before it reaches the lungs. The incoming cold and therefore very dry air is also moistened before it reaches the lungs. The nasoturbinals help to recover this moisture again on the way out. Design Principles: Our design must change the temperature with internal mechanics so that it is a reliable and adaptable process.

Jones, Donald M. Caribou. Digital image. Donaldmjones.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. . Ward, Paul. “Arctic Reindeer / Caribou Facts and Adaptations.” Collantartica.com. N.p., 2011. Web. 11 Oct. 2015..

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Chamise (Adenostoma Fasciculatum) Function: To ensure regeneration and resilience after fire Strategy: Chamise ensures regeneration after fires by, most notably, producing underground basal burls. Mechanism: Chamise ensures its survival and regeneration in it’s uniquely harsh environmentby producing readily germinable seeds, dormant seeds that require fire as a catalyst for germination, and underground basal burls that contain dormant buds ready to re-sprout after a fire. (Friesen) Design Principle: Our design must ensure regeneration, resilience, and survival by incorporating redundancy and variation within its system.

Jones, Donald M. Caribou.[Digital image.] Donaldmjones.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. . Sources: Friesen, L. [2010] Fire Ecology and the Chaparral Retrieved from http://www. biosbcc.net/b100plant/htm/fire.htm

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Coniferous Forest Function: To thermo-regulate the eco-system. Strategy: Growth and maintenance of dense overhead cover regulate the eco-system. Mechanism: Multiple layers of organisms within a coniferous forest assist in balancing and regulating temperature in order to aid growth. Coniferous forests are made up of two main layers. The over story contains the larger tree varieties while the understory layer consists of grasslands, shrubs, mosses, ferns and perennial plants. The over story trees grow high to provide a consistent density of canopy which allows for ample shade for the understory. The canopy creates the dark, yet warm, environment the understory needs for the optimal decomposition process that directs nutrients to flow through the system. Design Principle: Our design must consistently regulate and balance temperature for the continuous circulation of nutrients.

Multiple layers of organisms regulate temperature

LIG HT

Dense canopy provides ample shade for under-story

Book, Ed. Coniferous Forest Gifford Pinchot NF. Digital image. Tamarack Trees Stand out in a Coniferous Forest. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2015. . Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (2015) Coniferous Forest Description. Retrieved from http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/coniferous_description.html

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CORAL POLYP (Anthozoa) Function: To use excess nutrients to build up coral reefs. Strategy: Deposit calcium carbonate throughout the reproductive cycle (NOAA, 2015). Mechanism: Coral polyps are very tiny organisms which reproduce asexually at an exponential rate. Over several generations, the polyps begin to form large colonies, and attach themselves to the skeletons of deceased coral polyps. These polyps build up a coral reef, which is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. Coral polyps rapidly reproduce, building up colonies very quickly. Additionally, they deposit calcium carbonate, which is the key component of building up a coral reef. They take in mineral nutrients found in the ocean, and convert them to calcium carbonate, which they deposit, and which last nearly indefinitely. Design Principle: Our design must make productive use of excess nutrients, so that food and nutrients are not wasted.

Montanus, S. White Finger Leather (lobophytum Compactum) Coral Polyps. [Digital image]. Ximaged White Finger Leather Lobophytum Compactum Coral Polyps Comments. N.p., 4 Nov. 2009. Web. 14 Dec. 2015. . NOAA. (2015, April 25). Coral Feeding Habits. Retrieved from http://coralreef.noaa.gov/ aboutcorals/coral101/feedinghabits/

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Ahmadi, S. (Photographer). (2013, May 3). Salicornia [digital image]. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicornia#/media/File:1Salicornia_ europaea.jpg 142

Common Glasswort (Salicornia europaea) Function: To evaluate, store, and transport contaminants. Strategy: Absorb contaminants through the root system and store them in the root biomass and/or transport them up into the stems and/or leaves. Mechanism: The roots of the glasswort assist in counteracting erosion in salt marshes by immobilizing the pollutants by adsorbing or accumulating them and providing a zone around the roots where the pollutant can precipitate and stabilize (Save the Bay, 1998). Design Principle: Our design must facilitate a tsystem that immobilizes and accumulates pollutants, so that they are moved to a zoned area of a safe distance.

Absorbed Zoned Ahmadi, S. (Photographer). (2013, May 3). Salicornia [digital image]. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicornia#/media/File:1Salicornia_europaea.jpg Save the Bay (1998). The Uncommon Guide to Common Life on Narragansett Bay. Retrieved from http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/plants/glass.html

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CONIFEROUS TREES (Pinophyta) Function: To absorb sunlight. Strategy: Coniferous trees optimize sunlight absorption, within a boreal environment, for the purpose of photosynthesis. Mechanism: The triangular shaped needles provide additional surface area that increases absorption of sunlight. Conifers grow up instead of out which helps them receive more sunlight. The narrow conical shape of conifers along with their drooping downward limbs help shed snow (National Geographic, 2015). Design Principle: Our design must be shaped to allow for greatest absorption and utilization of sunlight, so that it produces adequate nutrients for energy.

National Geographic. (2015). Taiga: Boreal Forest. Retrieved from http://education nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/taiga/ Ling, Yi (Photographer). (2013). [Digital Image]. Temperate Coniferous Forests. Retrieved from http://www.glogster.com/yilingng/temeperate-coniferous-forest-/g6l1910qa344ulhs78q580a0

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CYANOBACTERIA (Cylindrospermopsis) Function: To form and stabilize the soils (not losing nutrients unnecessarily) Strategy: Cyanobacteria stabilizes the soil by sending mycelia through the soil and rock forming an intricate web of fibers which, in turn, join the loose particles of soil together. Mechanism: When rare moisture is received (functioning as a catalyst), the cyanobacteria become active, swelling in size, and expand through the soil leaving a trail of sticky material along the way. This binding sheath material forms an intricate fiber web through the soil. Loose particles of soil are bound together and an unstable land surface becomes very resistant to water and wind erosion. This binding of the soil surface does not depend on living filaments. When wetted, the polysaccharide sheaths swell and the filaments within are mechanically extruded from the sheath. Design Principle: Our design must incorporate a binder mechanism so that loose material stays in the system where it is needed.

United States Geological Survey. Biological Soil Crust [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/media/photo/ gallery.htm?id=26897FD6-155D-451F-6754BA8DC04E2329 Jayne Belnap, Otto L. Lange. Biological Soil Crusts: Structure, Function, and Management. Springer Science & BusinessMedia, 2013. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/

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Deciduous Forest Function: To adapt to seasonal changes. Strategy: The forest regulates nutrient consumption despite environmental changes. Mechanism: Plants and animals of a deciduous forest adapt to live and grow successfully in spite of seasonal environmental changes. Deciduous forests are located in areas that go through four seasons of weather. The trees change colors with the seasons and prioritize nutrient consumption during the warmer months to be able to survive during the winter. Similarly, animals in this forest typically hibernate in the winter by consuming large amounts of food during the summer. These animals have also adapted to camouflage themselves to look like the ground and surrounding plants so they are not hunted during the seasonal changes. Design Principle: Our design must have adaptable nutrient consumption.

Nowtech120. Deciduous Forest. Digital image. Deciduous Forest. Linkedin Slideshare, 4 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Dec. 2015. . Source: Woodward, S. (2012) Biomes of the World: Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forest. Retrieved from: https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/?page_id=94

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Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) Function: To monitor and secrete high levels of salinity. Strategy: The lacrimal gland of the diamond back maintains salt balance and allows marine vertebrates to drink seawater. Mechanism: Lacrimal glands contain secretory tubules that radiate outward from the excretory canal at the center. Secretory tubules are lined with a single layer of epithelial cells. Active transport via sodium-potassium pump, found on the basolateral membrane, action moves salt from the blood into the gland (Rick O’Connor Sea Grant Extension Agent, 2012). The excess salt is then excreted as a concentrated solution. Design Principle: Our design must identify and excrete excessive amounts of unwanted material, so that it prevents complications.

Germiak, A. (Photographer). (2007, July 17). The Diamondback Terrapin [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/pov/chancesoftheworld/film_description.php Rick O’Connor Sea Grant Extension Agent (2012, November 30). Diamonds in the Marsh. Retrieved from http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/marine/2012/11/30/diamonds-in-the-marsh/

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DUCK WEED (Family Lemnaceae) Function: To manage amount of oxygen and other chemicals in the water. Strategy: Duckweed grows on the surface of still or slow moving water absorbing nutrients, blocking sunlight and minimizing evaporation. Mechanism: Duckweed is a little green sphere of with no stems or leaves and very few roots. It grows on the surface of the water shading everything beneath. Other oxygen depleting plants such as algae cannot grow abundantly due to the restricted access to sunlight. By shading the surface of the water, duckweed also keeps the temperature cotol allowing for more dissolved oxygen to remain in the water and minimizing evaporation. It manages other chemicals as well through absorption such as nitrogen and some greenhouse gases (Tomlinson, P. B. 2006). Design Principle: Our design must absorb and release vital chemicals, so that its environment is balanced.

Reduced light keeps temperature of water low

Restricted light stops oxygen depleting plants from growing

Germiak, A. (Photographer). (2007, July 17). The Diamondback Terrapin [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/pov/chancesoftheworld/film_description.php Sources: TOMLINSON, P. B. (2006). The uniqueness of palms. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society,151(1), 5-14. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2006.00520.x

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Forest (Silva) Function: To harness solar energy and transforms it into oxygen. Strategy: Through the process of photosynthesis, the forest utilizes solar energy to release oxygen. Mechanism: Water is absorbed by the roots of green plants and is carried to the leaves by the xylem, and carbon dioxide is obtained from air that enters the leaves through the stomata and diffuses into the cells containing chlorophyll which then starts the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the production of sugar that is produced in the leaves when the sun shines on them, and then taken up by the rest of the plant, the xylem is the uptake conduit for nutrient and water transport and phloem is transport downwards to the roots happening underneath the bark) .The outcomes of photosynthesis is the release of oxygen (which is a byproduct of this process). Design Principle: Our design must lead to a complete nutritional cycle.

Fuller, T. (2008-2015). Photosynthesis in plants converts solar energy to chemical energy by splitting water to release hydrogen [digital image]. Retrieved from http:// www.asknature.org/strategy/ee4e268a5a0fe3861f6d1f5ae National Geographic. (2015). Taiga: Boreal Forest. Retrieved from http://education. nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/taiga/

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GOLDEN JACKAL (Canis aureus) Function: To utilize varied nutrient sources Strategy: Jackals practice opportunistic feeding as a means of survival. Mechanism: Golden Jackals will access any food that is available in their environment: they will eat small ungulates, rodents, hares, ground birds, eggs, reptiles, frogs, fish, insect, and fruit. Golden Jackals will both hunt, and eat carrion, and in specific circumstances will even establish relationships with other species to attain their food. Design Principle: Our design must access and utilize different food sources as available locally so that it can be adaptable, efficient, and scalable in different environments.

Eggs

Fish Opportunistic Feeding

The jackal access any food that is available in their environment.

Insects

Fuller, T. (2008-2015). Photosynthesis in plants converts solar energy to chemical energy by splitting water to release hydrogen [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.asknature. org/strategy/ee4e268a5a0fe3861f6d1f5ae Sources: Ivory, A. 1999. “Canis aureus” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 12, 2015 at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Canis_aureus/

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GREAT BURDOCK (Arctium lappa) Function: To distribute seed Strategy: Burdock attaches itself to other organisms to spread and distribute its seed in a passive manner. Mechanism: There are hooks on the ripe seed of Burdock, which allow it to easily attach to wooly coats. The seed is resistant enough to withstand this voyage and land in fertile soils where it can flourish. Design Principle: Our design must utilize existing modes of transportation to achieve efficient and passive distribution of nutrients.

Hook Mechanism

Ford, D. (2007, July 23). Burdock [digital image]. Retrieved from http://postaldeliveries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/burdock-2013-07-20-3648x2736.png Hooks Adhere to Wooly Coats Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/ strategy/0135bcaf513248edab2e7e49d9049590

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Ice Worm (Mesenchytraeus solifugus) Function: To physically adapt to extreme climate. Strategy: The outer membrane of the organism has evolved to resist freezing through the secretion of proteins similar to the properties of anti-freeze. Mechanism: The enzymes in ice worms have very low optimal temperatures, and can be denatured at even a few degrees above 0°C (32 °F). When ice worms are exposed to temperatures as high as 5°C (41 °F), their membrane structures disassociate and fall apart and melt causing the worm itself to liquefy and subsequently parish (Pelto, 2013). Design Principle: Our design must adjust to high and low temperatures, so that it is protected from extreme changes in climate.

Oliver, G. (Photographer). N.d. Portage Glacier Ice Worm [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/portage-glacier-ice-worms-1666-pictures.htm Pelto, Mauri S. (2013, December 06). North Cascade Glacier Climate Project. Retrieved from https://www.nichols.edu/departments/glacier/iceworm.htm

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ICE ALGAE (Mesotaenium berggrenii and Ancylonema nordensskiöldii.) Function: To grow under the ice serving as a habitat and food source for fish. Strategy: Algae uses photosynthesis to create nutrition in their physical forms creating nutrition for primary and secondary consumers. Mechanism: Algae pulls in nutrients from the water and from the sunlight coming through the ice. It also uses the ice as a structure to growt on in turn providing a both habitat and food source for fish. It is the very foundation of the Arctic food chain (Thomas, D. N., & Dieckmann, G. S. 2002). Design Principle: Our design must create sources of nutrients that can support whole systems, so that it is self sufficient.

Munroe, D. (2011, March 11). National Geographic News [digital image]. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/110228-antarctica-green-algaebloom-global-warming-science-environment/ Sources: Thomas, D. N., & Dieckmann, G. S. (2002). Antarctic sea ice--a habitat for extremophiles.Science, 295(5555), 641-644. doi:10.1126/science.1063391

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LARVAL JEWEL BEETLE (Buprestidae) Function: To produce hard structure. Strategy: Larval jewel beetle through bio-mineralization create hard mandibles from soft compound. Mechanism: The mandible (cuticle) is composed of chitin (a fibrous phase of crystalline nano-fibrils) and proteins (sleeve and crosslink the fibrils). These properties cause the mandible to harden and stiffen, also from the presence of calcium salts, which is known to be brittle and have a nonmetal correlation to metal. This is referred to as bio-mineralization, which is an incorporation of transition metals that are not necessarily metal. Design Principal: Our design must be able to use available materials or compounds to create strong hard structure.

Rom, J. (2009, July 24). Anthaxia nitidula [Digital image]. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://eol.org/data_objects/2003341 Metal-free beaks are strong: Jewel beetle - AskNature. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/9489f2cd9a2c6a9e3231292bc2461df1

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Mangrove Leaf (Rhizophora mangle) Function: To limit the loss of water. Strategy: Limit the amount of water they lose through their leaves by restricting the opening of their stomata. Mechanism: Because of the limited fresh water available in salty intertidal soils, pores on the leaf surfaces (known as the stomata) exchange carbon dioxide gas and water vapor during photosynthesis. They also vary the orientation of their leaves to avoid the harsh midday sun and to reduce evaporation from the leaves (Redland City Council, 2010). Design Principle: Our design must have adjustable openings, so that it allows or restricts the movement of nutrients.

Stomata Opening

Low Temperature High Temperature

Periman, D.L. (Photographer). (2007, July 15). Mangrove Propagule [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.ecolibrary.org/page/DP4110 Redland City Council (2010). Mangrove Adaptations to Their Environment. Retrieved from http://indigiscapes.redland.qld.gov.au/Plants/Mangroves/Pages/Adaption.aspx

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Monsoon Forest Function: To provide nutrients for the entire ecosystem. Strategy: Monsoon forests are made up of various organisms that aid in the recycling and provision of nutrients. Mechanism: The monsoon forest ensures that growth and decay sustain the rest of the ecosystem. With its vast and diverse collection of plant and animal life, monsoon forests reflect high productivity due to its adaptation to quick nutrient cycling. The warm, moist conditions in the forest are ideal for the decomposers breaking down the remains of dead organisms. This quick decay returns the carbon and oxygen in the decomposing material to the air, and returns nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium, and other minerals to the soil. In the soil, the minerals are almost immediately taken up by a thick mat of plant roots and root like fungi. The fungus supply the plant with minerals and water; the plant returns sugars to the fungus. Design Principle: Our design must balance growth and development in the environment.

Carbon Oxygen

Nitrogen Phosphorus Calcium Decomposing Plants and Animals “Panorama: Tropical Rainforest” Taken by D. Perlman (14 July 2007) Perlman, D. (2007, July 14). Panorama: Tropical Rainforest [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www. ecolibrary.org/images/full_image/Tropical_rainforest_with_buttress_roots_and_lianas_N_ Madagascar_DP9005.jpg Source: Mader, Sylvia S. (1996) Biology, 5th ed. WCB Cox, G.W. (1997) Conservation Biology, 2nd ed. WCB. Both Retrieved from: https://www.marietta.edu/~biol/102/rainfor. html#nutrient

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ORIENTAL HORNET (Vespa Orientalis) Function: To provide a cooling mechanism Strategy: Hair structure and wing movement of the oriental hornet create thermal convention currents for cooling purpose. Mechanism: The cuticle is composed of thermocouples that transfer heat and become used as an electrical heat pump. The heat transfer in voltage would be to harvest metabolism, or solar energy. In the thoracic segment of the worker, males, or queen bees, the hair takes on a different structure than that on the rest of its body. The temperature in this region is higher by 6-9 degree Celsius, and beneath the cuticle are dorsoventral and longitudinal muscles that activate the two wings. Design Principle: Our design must incorporate a relatively passive cooling mechanism in optimize energy.

Thorax hairs insulate

Cuticle transfers heat

Dorsoventral and longitudinal muscles activate wings

Faulwetter, S. (2011, November 06). Oriental hornet [Digital image]. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/fc319a532e22219407c36b1a500eaf0c Cuticle acts as cooling mechanism: Oriental hornet - AskNature. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/ fc319a532e22219407c36b1a500eaf0c

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ORIENTAL HORNET (Vespa Orientalis) Function: To generate electrical energy Strategy: Oriental hornets generate electrical energy though the different rates at which yellow and brow bands absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun Mechanism: The location that hornets choose to work in, and the definition of their body characteristics all essentially lead to a particular reason of exposing to sunlight. The reason for coming to contact with direct sunlight is the hornet’s ability to harvest solar energy. The banding of the two colors both trap light energy at different intensities. Properties such as grooves allow rays to funnel into inner layers cuticle (30 cuticle-brown band) rather than reflect light off, oval shaped bumps (15 cuticle-yellow band) increase surface area of light absorption. Solar energy is converted into electrical energy which allows the hornet to maneuver physical activity and temperature regulation. The energy may also assist in internal body functions such as producing and filtering enzymes and sugars. Design Principle: Our design must incorporate different color to generate electrical energy though varying rates of ultraviolet radiator absorption.

Krejík, S. (2009, July 24). Vespa orientalis [Digital image]. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://eol.org/data_objects/1999959 Photovoltaic pigments harvest solar energy: Oriental hornet ,(n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/9b67f98df667a56bbe0462034a440537

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POLAR BEAR (Ursus Maritimus) Function: To achieve thermal regulation through heat exchange. Strategy: The hollow core hair follicles reflect light and trap heat. Mechanism: Each hair shaft is pigment-free and transparent with a hollow core that scatters and reflects visible light, much like what happens with ice and snow. Polar bears have black skin under which there is a layer of fat that can measure up to 4.5 inches. On land the polar bear’s thick fur coat, not its fat prevents nearly any heat loss. In fact, adult males can quickly overheat when they run. In the water, polar bears rely more on their fat layer to keep warm: wet fur is a poor insulator. This is why mother bears are so reluctant to swim with young cubs in the spring: the cubs just don’t have enough fat. Design Principle: Our design must regulate temperature regardless of external elements so that it can insulate internal mechanisms.

Cooper, Megan. Polar Bear, Spitsbergen, Norway. [Digital image].Jamonkey.com. N.p., 8 Jan. 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Beck, Dick, and Val Beck. “Fur and Skin.” Polar Bears International. N.p., 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. .

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PHYTOPLANKTON Function: To produce its own food and energy. Strategy: Conversion of energy into food. Mechanism: Phytoplankton inhabiting well-lit surfaces of freshwater use photosynthesis to produce energy in the form of life sustaining sugars. Chloroplasts, known as the “food producers of the cell,” convert energy from the sun into sugars. These single celled organisms also convert inorganic compounds and carbon dioxide that is extracted directly from the water (NOAA, 2014). Design Principle: Our design must efficiently utilize sunlight, so that it produces food and nutrients essential to other organisms.

Unknown. (n.d). Marine Phytoplankton. Retrieved from http://www. powerpflaster.tv/verschiedene-sections-untereinander-mit/ Ocean Service. (2014, April 29). What Are Phytoplankton? Retrieved from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/phyto.html

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RACCOON (Procyon Lotor) Function: To utilize a large variety of food types. Strategy: Raccoons are resourceful, sensitive and roam widely which allows them to gather a large variety of nutrients and adapt to changing conditions quickly. Mechanism: Being generalist, Raccoons can eat a large variety of foods to fulfill their nutritional needs. This allows them to adjust to change in conditions quickly and to survive, even thrive, in many different environments including human cities and towns (Rulison, E. L., Luiselli, L., & Burke, R. L. 2012). Design Principle: Our design must utilize a variety of nutritional sources, so that adaption to changing conditions can happen quickly.

Holser, G. (2015) [digital image]. Retrieved from http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/raccoons.html Rulison, E. L., Luiselli, L., & Burke, R. L. (2012). Relative impacts of habitat and geography on raccoon diets. The American Midland Naturalist, 168(2), 231-246.

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RIFITIA TUBEWORM (Riftia pachyptila) Function: To convert chemicals into nutrients in a sunless chemically saturated environment. Strategy: The Rifitia Tubeworms have internal bacteria that perform chemosynthesis, converting the chemical into nutrients. Mechanism: Rifitia Tubeworms live on the bottom of the ocean near hydrothermal vents which release chemicals and minerals originating in the earth’s core. This chemical soup would be lethal to other life forms. The tube worm however, uses internal bacteria to convert chemicals to nutrients. Design Principle: Our design must convert chemicals from its immediate environment into nutrients and energy, so that more resources are made available.

Holser, G. (2015) [digital image]. Retrieved from http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/raccoons.html Sources: Rogers, A. D., Tyler, P. A., Connelly, D. P., Copley, J. T., James, R., Larter, R. D.. . Zwirglmaier, K. (2012). The discovery of new deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities in the southern ocean and implications for biogeography.PLoS Biology, 10(1), e1001234. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001234

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RED TIPPED TUBE WORMS (Riftia Pachyptila) Function: To exchange compounds with the environment. Strategy: Bacteria converts oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide into organic molecules so the host worm can feed. Mechanism: The tube worm relies on bacteria in their habitat to oxidize hydrogen sulfide, using dissolved oxygen in the water as electron acceptor. This reaction provides the energy needed for chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is the biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules or methane as a source of energy, rather than sunlight, as in photosynthesis. Design Principles: Our design must convert expelled nutrients into reusable organic matter through chemosythesis so that it can be self sustaining.

NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Galapagos Rift Expedition 2011 (2012, July 20) Ocean Explorer, NOAA [digital image]. Retrieved from http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/ explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july2 3_update1.html Kusek, Kristen M. Deep-sea Tubeworms Get Versatile ‘Inside’ Help. Whoi.edu. N.p., 27 Jan.2007. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. .

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RIVER (Fluminis) Function: To transport nutrients and waste from and through multiple environments from the mountains to the ocean. Strategy: Rivers passively use gravity creating flow to transport nutrition and waste through multiple environments, recycling the waste and gathering nutrition. Mechanism: Rivers use passive gravity to flow down from the mountain to the ocean. They gather nutrients and waste from the organisms living in and around the river and when they overflow they pull in even more minerals, plant life and nutrients. As the river flows downstream it adapts to the environments its moves through and the living organisms within the river change accordingly. For instance, headwaters where the water first collects, supports mainly decomposers that break down organic material while farther downstream larger, more turbid waters can support more predators. In this way nutrients and waste are moved through cyclical systems (Datry, 2008). Design Principle: Our design must passively transport nutrients and waste through a system.

NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program. Riftia Tube Worms Galapagos. [Digital image]. Wikipedia. N.p., 22 July 2011. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Sources: Datry, T., & Larned, S. T. (2008). River flow controls ecological processes and invertebrate assemblages in subsurface flowpaths of an ephemeral river reach. Canadian Journal Of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 65(8), 1532-1544.

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SEA ANEMONE (Actiniaria) Function: To be substantial in size and fit all underwater conditions Strategy: Sea anemone uses material viscosity to change the size of its body wall. Mechanism: The body wall of sea anemones can be quite substantial in size and will withstand all underwater conditions. Sea anemones’ muscles drive some of the shape changes, as do tracts of cilia that reinflate by pumping water back into the body. The body wall of sea anemones consists of inner and outer surface layers separated by thick mesoglea that is of high viscosity relative to its elasticity. Anemones do not do anything fast but they change shape fairly easily though slowly, much like a hydraulic system. Design Principle: Our design must incorporate shape changing features for water storage. Water may also be a part of the structure, which will achieve the goal of multiple tasks in one design.

Nhobgood. A Zebra striped Gorgonian Wrapper [digital image]. Retrieved from https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemanthus_annamensis#/media/File:Colonial_anemone_zebra.jpg Vogel S. 2003. Comparative Biomechanics: Life's Physical World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 580 p. Retrieved from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/ fce309395e707104fe19e983bbf47e65

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SEA OAT (Uniola paniculata) Function: To stabilize and preserve sand dunes. Strategy: Stabilizing sand dunes and beach plant communities by trapping wind-blown sand. Mechanism: Sea oats’ roots and rhizomes have the ability to grow deeply. These complex roots spread out widely in all directions thereby helping to stabilize the sand dunes. Not only do the rhizomes help preserve sand dunes, they extract nutrients vital to the growth of the sea oat (Shadow, 2007). Design Principle: Our design must extract nutrients and provide stability, so that it promotes and preserves growth even in harsh conditions.

Nhobgood. A Zebra striped Gorgonian Wrapper [digital image]. Retrieved from https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemanthus_annamensis#/media/File:Colonial_anemone_zebra.jpg Shadow, R. (2007) Plant Fact Sheet For Sea Oats. Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_unpa.pdf

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SNOW LEOPARD (Panthera uncia) Function: To optimize oxygen intake in a boreal environment. Strategy: Snow leopards have adapted nasal cavities that warm cold air, which helps increase oxygen intake in high altitudes. Mechanism: The nasal cavity is comprised of nasal turbinate bones, which are covered in a moist, vascularized tissue known as respiratory epithelium. The turbinate surface moistens and warms the air as it passes into the lungs reducing cooling. This surface cools as the cold air is inhaled but traps excess moisture and heat from the air that is exhaled, acting as a two-way air conditioning unit. Cold air would ultimately chill the body and dry out the lungs, which would reduce respiratory abilities (Mazzoleni, 2013). Design Principle: Our design must optimize the intake of oxygen, so that organisms can thrive in a limited environment.

Photo Credit: Unknown. (n.d). Snow Leopards. Retrieved from http://www3.jjc.edu/ftp/ wdc12/ketherton/index.html University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. (2007). Snow Leopard, Panthera Uncia. Retrieved from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/bishop_kayl/adaptation.html

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STRIPED BASS (Morone saxatilis) Function: To provide penetrative protection Strategy: Striped bass scales provide high resistance to penetration giving high protection Mechanism: Bony fish protect themselves from predators through their 0.2 to 0.3 mm thick scales. Scales consist of a dual structure where there is a solid mineralized outer layer and a softer collagen fibrils inner layer. When a predator bites a striped bass, the scales cracks in half twice in length and width creating flaps. The force from the bite disperses within the cracks causing the forces to distribute rather than puncture an area in the fish. The softer collagen layer stretches under pressure which helps with resistance along with cracks of the scale, giving the fish more protection. The equivalence of the outer scales if found in the inner layer which gives the fish double the strength and resistance. Design Principle: Our design must provide highly effective protection from mechanical injury.

K. (2011, November 02). Striped bass [Digital image]Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/strategy/85e01f41e2fcd60cdbe94b45c2e54999 Scales provide penetrative protection: Striped bass - AskNature. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.asknature.org/

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TEMNOTHORAX ANTS (Temnothorax albipennis) Function: To manage and distribute resources Strategy: After a famine, ant colonies assess their food supply and distribute food throughout the colony. Mechanism: Specific ants fulfill specialized roles in the colony: they assess and manage their food supply (which is kept in specific locations and silos), dilute the food accordingly, and then efficiently, safely and quickly distribute food to the entire colony after a famine (Colonies, n.d.). Design Principle: Our design must include strategically located distribution hubs, specialized roles, and silos so as to ensure efficient distribution and access of nutrients.

Massie, M. Temnothorax worker. Lesnes Abbey, London [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.bwars.com/sites/www.bwars.com/files/species_images/Temnothorax%20 nylanderi%20worker.%20Lesnes%20Abbey,%20London.%20Photo%20by%20Mick%20Massie. jpg?140775466 Sources: Colonies Distribute Food After Famine: Temnothorax Ants Retrieved from http:// www.asknature.org/strategy/9112601d62f1d8a40474358f623cc519

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TERMITE (Isoptera) Function: To keep their mounds’ temperature at a stable level Strategy: Termites have devised a system of vents and channels inside the mounds to maintain the inner temperature constant at 30.5 degrees celcius. Mechanism: The top of the mound consists of a central chimney surrounded by an intricate network of tunnels and passages. Air travels through the porous walls into a series of small tunnels until it reaches the central chimney and rises up. When fresh air mixes with this warm air, the air cools and sinks down into the nest. This ventilation system constantly circulates the air and ensures that oxygen reaches the lower areas of the mound and keeps the nest from overheating. Design Principle: Our design must control its own temperature in a efficient way.

Massie, M. Temnothorax worker. Lesnes Abbey, London [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.bwars.com/sites/www.bwars.com/files/species_images/Temnothorax%20 nylanderi%20worker.%20Lesnes%20Abbey,%20London.%20Photo%20by%20Mick%20 Massie.jpg?1407754696 Sources: Nature. The Incredible Termite Mound. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.pbs. org/wnet/nature/the-animal-house-the-incredible-termite-mound/7222/

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TIGER SHARK (Galeocerdo cuvier) Function: Prevent build up of bacteria. Strategy: The tightly woven scales make a challenging surface for microorganisms to cling too. Mechanism: The Shark’s scales are called dermal scales. Recent hydrodynamic research has shown how these scales actually bristle like fur and push the water down the shark more efficiently and with less drag. The dermal scales are so tightly overlapped that it is hard for micro-organisms and bacteria to latch on, making the skin have antibacterial properties. Design Principle: Our design must utilize antibacterial surfaces so that it protects against foreign agents.

Micro-organisms cannot attach

Dermal Scales

Kok, Albert. Tiger Shark. [Digital image.] Wikipedia. N.p., 10 Jan. 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. . Laduis, Esther. Repelling Germs with ‘sharkskin’. Societyforscience.org. N.p., 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.

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WOOD FROG (Lithobates sylvaticus) Function: To withstand freezing temperatures Strategy: By flooding its blood with glucose, it can enter a cryogenic state to preserve its body until warmer weather is present. Mechanism: Wood frogs can tolerate the freezing of their blood and other tissues. Urea is accumulated in tissues in preparation for overwintering, and liver glycogen is converted in large quantities to glucose in response to internal ice formation. Both urea and glucose act as cryoprotectants to limit the amount of ice that forms and to reduce osmotic shrinkage of cells. Frogs can survive many freezing and thawing events during winter if no more than about 65% of the total body water freezes. Design Principles: Our design must withstand extreme enviroment changes so that it can be resilient in harsh environments.

Holland, Mary. Wood Frog. Digital image. Naturally Curious with Mary Holland. N.p., 29 Sept. 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.< Roach, John. “Antifreeze-Like Blood Lets Frogs Freeze and Thaw With Winter’s Whims.” National Geographic News. N.p., 20 Feb. 2007. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. . Netburn, Deborah. “In Alaska, Wood Frogs Freeze for Seven Months, Thaw and Hop Away.” Los Angeles Times. N.p., 24 July 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. .

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Upwelling (upwelling) Function: To Supply nutrients and supports abundant plankton. Strategy: Utilizing upwelling for nutrients transport. Mechanism: Winds blow across the ocean surface pushing water away. Water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away, along this process nutrients and other organisms are transported from the bottom of the ocean to the surface. Design Principle: Our Design must actively renovate the living conditions.

Delheimer, S. (June 22, 2010). Upwelling in the Atlantic Ocean bring nutrients-rich water to the surface [digital image]. Retrieved from https://northeastparkscience.wordpress. com/2010/06/22/save-the-whales-zooplankton/ Sources: NOAA. (2015, February 9). What is upwelling? Retrieved from http:// oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html

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List of Figures Figure1: Biomimicry Mantra. Figure 2: The Three essential elements of Biomimicry, left to right: Biomimicry3.8 DesignLens Collateral Toolkit. © 2014 Biomimicry Group, Inc. Biomimicry 3.8. Biomimicry Group is a certified B-Corporation. Retrieved from: http://biomimicry.net/about/biomimicry/biomimicry-designlens/ Figure 3: The Biomimicry Thinking Design Process Biomimicry3.8 DesignLens Collateral Toolkit. © 2014 Biomimicry Group, Inc. dba Biomimicry 3.8. Biomimicry Group is a certified B-Corporation. Retrieved from: http://biomimicry.net/ about/biomimicry/biomimicry-designlens/ Figure 4: Biomimicry Life Principles, left to right: Biomimicry3.8 DesignLens Collateral Toolkit. © 2014 Biomimicry Group, Inc. dba Biomimicry 3.8. Biomimicry Group is a certified B-Corporation. Retrieved from: http://biomimicry.net/about/biomimicry/biomimicry-designlens/ Figures 5-6: Biomimicry Advisors: Regina Rowland, Ph.D. and Cathy J. Sakas. Authors’ Image. Figures 7-8: Team Members: Graduate Students. Authors’ Image. Figures 9-10: Team Members: Undergraduate Students. Authors’ Image. Figures 11-12: Team Members: Undergraduate Students. Authors’ Image. Figures 13-14: Team Members: Undergraduate Students. Authors’ Image. Figures 15-16: Team Members: Undergraduate Students. Authors’ Image. Figure 17: Corner building in Savannah, GA.Authors’ Image. Figure 18: Team members categorizing early secondary research. Authors’ Image. Figure 19: Breaking down the definition of a food desert. Authors’ Image. Figure 20: Opportunities to reduce food waste during downstream phase of consumption. Authors’ Image. Figure 21: Major food productions in Georgia, USA. Authors’ Image. Figure 22: Exposition of amount of food wasted yearly and amount of people suffering from hunger worldwide. Authors’ Image. Figure 23: Effects of highly processed food: Obesity. Authors’ Image. Figure 24: Effects of highly processed food: Mental Health and Inflammation.Authors’ Image. Figure 25: Percentages of food consumed versus food lost by type. Authors’ Image. Figure 26: One in Six Americans lack a secure food supply. Authors’ Image. Figure 27: Growth on pine Tree. Authors’ Image.

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Figure 28: Spider’s Web on Palm Tree. Authors’ Image. Figure 29: Shells on Rock. Authors’ Image. Figure 30: Lens focus on leaf capillaries. Authors’ Image. Figure 31: Group discussion during excursion. Authors’ Image. Figure 32: Outlook on Tybee. Authors’ Image. Figure 33: Floating ISite. Authors’ Image. Figure 34: Salt-Water Marsh. Authors’ Image. Figure 35: Close-up of Turtle. Authors’ Image. Figure 36: Close-Up of Palm Tree Trunk. Authors’ Image. Figure 37: Swimming Alligator. Authors’ Image. Figure 38: Multi-Level ISite Sketch on Altamaha River. Authors’ Image. Figure 39: “Panorama: Tropical Rainforest” Taken by D. Perlman (14 July 2007) Figure 40: Illustration of tropical rainforest biodiversity and levels. Authors’ Image. Figure 41: Sphagnum Moss. Taken by F. Christian (2008) Figure 42: Illustration of sphagnum moss’ modular growth. Authors’ Image. Figure 43: African elephant. Taken by Eugenia and Julian. (6 February 2005) Figure 44: Elephant’s teeth section view illustration. Authors’ Image. Figure 45: Bamboo stalk close-up. Taken by A. Emmanuel Lattes. (15 May 2015) Figure 46: Section view of tapered bamboo stalk. Authors’ Image. Figure 47: Capillary flow of nutrients from bottom to top. Authors’ Image. Table 1: Function Matrix: Alpaca to Ice Algae. A compilation of the entire team’s function cards sorted alphabetically, and categorized by organism, function, mechanism, and design principle. Table 2: Function Matrix: Ice Algae to Wood Frog. A compilation of the entire team’s function cards sorted alphabetically, and categorized by organism, function, mechanism, and design principle. Figure 48: Savannah Food Stalk Function Bridge. Infographic. Authors’ Image. Figure 49: Image of wetland tree during canoe excursion. Authors’ Image. Figure 50: Ideation process. Taken by J.D. Bryan (28 October 2015) Figure 51: Phase One of Charrette: Guests learning about Function Cards.Authors’ Image.

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Figure 52: Phase Two of Charrette: Abstracting Stories from 3D Model. Authors’ Image. Figure 53: Team’s Form Studies. Authors’ Image. Figure 54: Team’s Modular Form Studies. Authors’ Image. Figure 55: Savannah Food Stalk Technical Line Drawings. Authors’ Image. Figures 56-59: Mock-up process shots. Building took place in SCAD’s Industrial Design’s Gulfstream shop. Authors’ Image. Figure 60: Product shot of Savannah Food Stalk mock-up. Authors’ Image. Figures 61-64: Detail shots of Savannah Food Stalk mock-up components. Authors’ Image. Figure 65: Digital Prototype: Close-Up of Single Module- Back View. Created by S. Chen Figure 66: Digital Prototype: Front View of Single Module and Bottom of Structure. Authors’ Image. Figure 67: Digital Prototype: Nutrient Flow and Component Function Illustration. Authors’ Image. Figure 68: Digital Prototype: Three Views of Savannah Food Stalk Modular Unit. Authors’ Image. Figure 69: Inspection of compartmentalized Camellia leaves in Botanical Garden. Authors’ Image. Figure 70: Bamboo Garden at Botanical Garden. Authors’ Image. Table 3: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Adapt to Changing Conditions. Table 4: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Be Locally Attuned and Responsive Table 5: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Use Life-Friendly Chemistry Table 6: Life Principles Evaluation Chart: Be Resource Efficient Figure 71: Heart of Palm, Authors’ Image Figure 72: Illustration of pneumatophore in Grey’s Reef Sanctuary. Authors’ Image. Figure 73: Illustration of ants working together to transport an acorn. Authors’ Image. Figure 74: Illustration of butterfly’s flight pattern and sin wave. Authors’ Image. Figure 75: Illustration of pinecone structure embedded in tent protective system. Authors’ Image. Figure 77: Illustration of Iris plant structure attracting bees. Authors’ Image. Figure 78: Illustration of Sweet Gum Tree and Seed. Authors’ Image. Figure 79: Camelia Flower. Authors’ Image.

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