Our Story
Topomimetic design started as a reaction to studies created on the biophilia hypothesis, attention restoration theory, and many other nature based studies, which have noted that human cognition improves in almost all areas when exposed to nature, vastly improving our quality of life, working, and studying, and productivity.
Topomimetic design started as a reaction to studies created on the biophilia hypothesis, attention restoration theory, and many other nature based studies, which have noted that human cognition improves in almost all areas when exposed to nature, vastly improving our quality of life, working, and studying, and productivity.
In light of this, I thought what was the exact opposite of nature? what is the furthest away that we get in our day to day lives from this nature? It was then that images of tall square buildings, rectangular rooms with little natural light, and cityscapes sprung to mind.
Realising that somehow if I could transform architectural design into something which could directly acheive the feeling of a natural landscape whilst also blending into its built surroundings and local history, I would be able to transform the lives of many people. I then made it my mission in life to do exactly this, to transform the lives of as many people as possible in ways which made it better or even exceeded their expectations.
I started creating designs for green landscapes, initially starting with modern designs, featuring extensive green roofs and the integration of nature, but after reviewing my designs with many different people, I was unsatisfied with the results.
It was then that I realised the designs resembled a modern building too closely. It was the orthogonal design. Other than the extensive green roof, it was practically the same as any other modern building. So I took it one step further, I looked to nature again to find the answers.
Lines of contour, topographic maps. All of these feature organic shapes which taper upwards, creating a stepped profile. What would happen if we were to interpret these lines literally? It was then that topomimetic design was born. I began designing an entire topomimetic cityscape on a digital platform where people could review and comment on my works.
After nearly 2 years of designing, the first iteration was complete. All individuals from a range of different backgrounds praised the designs, saying that if these designs were ever to be created, they would drop everything and go to live there at a moments notice.
However, after a small number of individuals commented on accessability, I realised the designs needed to be changed. It was a chance to improve, so, this time round I began a more extensive research. Travelling Uganda, China, France, and Switzerland, I saw just how different the designs around the world could be. If I really wanted a design which cloud be like nature, then it needed to be far more adaptable, in terms of the way the landscape itself was designed, and to the vernacular (local) building designs.
I turned to the past to look for more inspiration for something which had been done before, and it was then I stumbled upon the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. I found a tale, about a king and his persian wife, who longed for her homeland all the time. She felt down, and sad, despite living with the king, it was the nature she yearned for. So, The King ordered all of the greatest minds of the kingdom to design and construct a building which mimicked the hills, mountains and running water of her homeland, persia, covered in trees and plants, with the sound of running water, creating a large natural hill in the centre of the urban metropolis. The queen then felt at home, she felt one with nature again.
Finding this story greatly motivating, and incredibly similar to the nature of my designs, I continued onwards but with another factor in mind, preserving history whilst pioneering the future. The true topomimetic designs were born. Realising that by pioneering the future, these designs would last for centuries to come, I began preparing the designs for the future of the planet, organising ways to cool the urban heat island effect, ensuring that they would be able to with stand heavy winds and storms, and factoring in more accessible designs into mind, and emerging technologies, I created a design which featured all of these improvements. There was no longer anything that people could think of in order to critique the designs, I had created an environment which evoked a sense of wonder, curiosity, and awe in many people, whilst also feeling close to home with that special touch of history.
Topomimetic design was born.