Swarm Theory and Transformative Processes in Design

The final model; structure encapsulating program and 'opened'/'closed' skin conditions.

Study model; experimenting with transparency or a lack thereof in the skin pattern and shaping the patterns to my initial program studies.

Study models; using both the skin and structural pattern.

The final product.

Plans; showing the specifics of the structure. The skin pattern creates a solid mullion and the 'open'/'closed' component of the skin creates a window. The dotted lined notate the overhang of the oblique walls. The structure pattern overlaid on the floor creates a glass tiling system, as shown previous here. Sections; highlighting the overlapping program, structural system and 'open'/'closed' skin system.

Using the previous skin pattern, I created a rule-set where the aperture system of the building reacts to program. For instance, the stacks do not require light and thus the pattern is 'closed'. The reading and play areas require light, so the pattern is 'open'.
The lighter grey is 'closed' and the somewhat translucent darker grey shade is 'open'.

The resolution of structure, laid into the site context, - and the first introduction of skin. The original structural pattern is placed into the floor plates to create a glass tiling effect along the stacks/continuous circulation spaces.

Experimenting with skin & structure modules on the site envelope and interior space.

Mapping the 'e-coli basic unit patterns' over site analysis information, to create a new layered system of patterns. Then, picking a reoccurring module and a series of connections between them to fabricate larger patterns for skin and structural manipulation.

A continuation of my site analysis. This will aide in dictating the arrangement of my skin system.

A detailed look into every building facade, between Broadway & Bowery on Bond St & Great Jones St.

A rule-set for e-coli behavioral patterns, based on further analyzation of previous research and 3D form studies.

Experimenting with patterns based off of e-coli behavior.


Taking the basic patterns created by e-coli swarms into consideration, and creating a 3D form through a series of connections and transformations in density.

Swarm analysis; bacteria (e-coli)