John Naranjo proposes biomimicry-inspired Kepos Eco Hotel concept
John Naranjo of Florida-based Michael Rosenthal Associates (MRA) Design has unveiled Kepos Eco Hotel concept inspired by biomimicry that seeks solutions by emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies.
The new innovative sustainable hotel is designed to absorb solar and wind energy through an open skin. The use of natural components will minimize the urban footprint of its location and retrieve its displaced environment. The technical and sustainable attributes taken from biomimicry concept include, learning from the life supporting aspects of living environment, obtaining energy, recycling and reclaiming resources and materials.
Natural components such as root, stem and branch canopy are all integrated into the design. The individual building structure features a root base, a trunk/stem column support and branch canopy of leaves for the living spaces. The main body support provides a natural horizontal topological landscape park for the hotel guests. The internal base is designed to house all of the hotel’s lobbies, hotel services, commercial, retail and hospitality components as well as provide the support components of parking and the building’s energy storage systems.
The hotel structure displays a representation of plants canopy which is made of cells called Voxels. This characterizes the branches and leaves of trees and its density in form is determined by the application of its species.
The building’s exterior canopy is a special layer called ‘GROW’. This canopy incorporates a combination of photovoltaic and piezoelectric technologies in one system that will absorb both solar and wind energy in one open skin. The GROW skin constitutes individual small leaf-like panels that will reflect and move as leaves on the hotels exterior canopy. This concept will also support a passive cooling system.
The hotel is also integrated with water harvesting systems, such as a series of open ponds that will be mixed within the open vegetation on the root base. A vertical vegetation space, which will allow the growth of fresh food for the restaurant of the hotel, is another distinct bio aspect. All these components inspired by the integration of biomimicry are expected to offer a better environment, health and social well being to the guests.
