tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53067701625487482222024-03-14T04:30:37.061-05:00Liquid Triangle: Naturally InspiredLiquid Triangle is the naturally inspired studio of Amy Coffman Phillips, learning from nature to inspire sustainably beautiful design. What's in a name? Liquid Triangle is based on the "Golden Triangle" from which a spiral emerges, representing growth in nature while introducing the fluid and organic to the built environment.Amy Coffman Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006404447304673779noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-51237729611550684162013-02-05T16:27:00.000-06:002013-02-05T16:27:19.943-06:00Portfolio Images: Residential Lower Level Build-OutMy passion project is (mostly) complete! Finishing the lower level of our home was a thrilling, frustrating, creative, and exhausting proposition to take on... and I couldn't be happier with the results. Small details remain, but it is fully functional and well-loved by our family.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgphilli/8449128954/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01089 by dgphilli, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC01089" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8449128954_4d2bee325a.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Space</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgphilli/8449134926/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01088 by dgphilli, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC01088" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8449134926_c0c7d0803f.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entertainment Area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgphilli/8449107544/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01097 by dgphilli, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC01097" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8449107544_3e2f2d7f07.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game Area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgphilli/8449123252/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01091 by dgphilli, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC01091" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8449123252_654802a427.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exercise Room</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-59820461577155538892012-09-06T16:14:00.000-05:002012-09-06T16:14:49.617-05:00Almost Finished!So many small details remain to be installed, but I can't resist posting a few quick pictures now that the painting of the lower level has been completed. It's been a long journey but worth all the time and money - it's gorgeous and I couldn't be happier with the result.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7PPFc_ukh4/UEkReln6t2I/AAAAAAAAA-c/qaurr8QrAOg/s1600/IMG_8742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7PPFc_ukh4/UEkReln6t2I/AAAAAAAAA-c/qaurr8QrAOg/s400/IMG_8742.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main area with view to fireplace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace with bookshelves and future art panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATYbQbIGhNg/UEkRk7BLtmI/AAAAAAAAA-s/lcXMlYRn-7k/s1600/IMG_8749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATYbQbIGhNg/UEkRk7BLtmI/AAAAAAAAA-s/lcXMlYRn-7k/s400/IMG_8749.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to bar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbdWweCMch8/UEkRnmsIHfI/AAAAAAAAA-4/-gXVG8BaikQ/s1600/IMG_8750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbdWweCMch8/UEkRnmsIHfI/AAAAAAAAA-4/-gXVG8BaikQ/s400/IMG_8750.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exercise room is up and running!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-29982140512307009772012-08-16T21:32:00.001-05:002012-08-16T21:45:09.434-05:00The floors are in!The floors are finished and the "lower level" is taking shape. Cabinets and trim are coming next week - fingers crossed it will be finished and usable (with better quality photos) soon! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uF9RyBU0WoY/UC2rdWKz2OI/AAAAAAAAA8s/tFxMf-hlSWg/s1600/IMG_8713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uF9RyBU0WoY/UC2rdWKz2OI/AAAAAAAAA8s/tFxMf-hlSWg/s400/IMG_8713.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">main space</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TXxdRUgMoc/UC2rgTofDII/AAAAAAAAA80/5kKRcr8xwhU/s1600/IMG_8715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TXxdRUgMoc/UC2rgTofDII/AAAAAAAAA80/5kKRcr8xwhU/s400/IMG_8715.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fireplace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wine cellar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwkY3A7Oum8/UC2rqHCNLwI/AAAAAAAAA9M/CwfAghKeSic/s1600/IMG_8720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwkY3A7Oum8/UC2rqHCNLwI/AAAAAAAAA9M/CwfAghKeSic/s400/IMG_8720.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-70439593825223806002012-07-30T21:02:00.003-05:002012-08-16T13:41:00.086-05:00A note about transformation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">My
two-year journey diving deeply into the world of biomimicry has been a transformative experience
for me.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">By looking to the natural world
as a “model, measure, and mentor,” I believe we can create systems that
transform our culture and economy from one that extracts and wastes to one that
optimizes and restores.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">I want share this
experience and provide opportunities for others in my region, the great city of
Chicago and its surrounding environments, to be a part of this
transformation.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">To do so, I’ve started a
couple of initiatives that I’d like to share:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><b><a href="http://www.biomimicrychicago.net/" target="_blank">Biomimicry Chicago</a></b>. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I have co-founded a non-profit local regional network that is a part of the Beta Cohort of Affiliate Networks through Biomimicry3.8, the founders and global thought leaders for biomimicry. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Through this network, we will</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">plant the seeds of biomimicry and facilitate cooperative connections</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">for individuals in our region to learn more and begin practicing the biomimicry methodology in the context of our region. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.biomimicrychicago.net/" style="font-family: inherit;">www.biomimicrychicago.net</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.b-collaborative.com/" target="_blank"><b>The B-Collaborative</b></a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This collective practice is my new baby and I’m so excited to collaborate with individuals, both within our local network and the global network of biomimics,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">to create and provide interesting educational opportunities and exciting projects</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">that harness the power of learning from nature to facilitate optimized design and systemic transformation. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The “B” stands for biomimicry, for business, for bees (who create intricate structures and intelligent societies), but most of all, we want to collaborate to “be” inspired, “be” creative, and collaboratively “be the change” we want to see in the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">world (Ghandi). </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The B-Collaborative serves as a gateway and catalyst for transformational projects, bringing together teams of experts to collaborate on interesting educational ventures and projects. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We’ve already started developing an exciting schedule for 2013, and more information can be found on our website:</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy%20Coffman%20Phillips/Documents/b-collaborative/admin/www.b-collaborative.com" style="font-family: inherit;">www.b-collaborative.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Liquid Triangle Design</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> will remain a </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">boutique
design practice with sustainability consulting</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, serving to showcase my work
in implementing sustainability and biomimicry into the field of design.
But, as in nature, what you nurture is what will grow, and in the coming
year I will be focusing my attention and love on The B-Collaborative, nurturing
what I hope will grow into a thriving educational and project development
practice that will help create a paradigm shift for our region, transforming it
to one that aspires to be not only sustainable, but restorative. Please visit </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">The B-Collaborative <a href="http://b-collaborative.com/">website</a> </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">&</span><b style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://b-collaborative.blogspot.com/">blog</a></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for more information!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Be
the C</span>hange,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy </span></div>
<u5:p></u5:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-23444387306172960512012-07-18T21:31:00.000-05:002012-07-18T21:35:05.394-05:00Latest Construction PhotosOur "lower level" is coming along nicely - check it out! After a delay due to stone availability and summer vacation schedules, we've started back in full swing and the masonry was finished today. Next week, the FSC certified engineered flooring is installed. And after that, we wait again for FSC wood availability to make the cabinets. Fingers crossed it is finished mid-August! <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-80649006830311641912012-06-25T10:23:00.003-05:002012-06-25T10:23:34.329-05:00Biomimicry Inspired Art Exhibits!Amy wrote a blog post for Biomimicry Chicago describing new biomimicry inspired art exhibits in Chicago. Head over to the <a href="http://biomimicrychicago.blogspot.com/2012/06/exciting-exhibits.html">Biomimicry Chicago blog </a>for more information!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-63867004433177775112012-06-24T10:55:00.000-05:002012-06-24T10:59:24.336-05:00What would cause ants to swarm this gnome?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7obNCXS-BIg/T-c5XQrbv8I/AAAAAAAAECA/XMaaZ0RBO8w/s1600/photo-764337.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7obNCXS-BIg/T-c5XQrbv8I/AAAAAAAAECA/XMaaZ0RBO8w/s320/photo-764337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757633720393383874" /></a></p>Interesting...Amy Coffman Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006404447304673779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-32597758629441440922012-05-09T23:43:00.001-05:002012-05-09T23:52:23.553-05:00Basement Construction Photos!Oh, this project has completely taken over my life - and I'm loving it. For this basement renovation, we sprayed 1" of Icynene insulation directly to the concrete wall and then offset the framing inside of it. This detail will act as a vapor retarder, eliminate thermal bridging between the studs and the concrete and give us a R19 insulation value- well exceeding energy code. <a href="http://www.buildingscience.com/">The Building Science Corporation</a> has great information on this and other high performance wall details. The mechanical ductwork is in and framing is almost complete. Electrical and lighting started today and we're moving along so quickly. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ivVxUPJrSw/T6tFetsV6sI/AAAAAAAAAiY/us4BdkouFdw/s1600/418_04_main_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ivVxUPJrSw/T6tFetsV6sI/AAAAAAAAAiY/us4BdkouFdw/s200/418_04_main_01.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: Main Space</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOsHdrrY9dU/T6tF6gtJmcI/AAAAAAAAAjA/5C42U1M0S94/s1600/418_05_main_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOsHdrrY9dU/T6tF6gtJmcI/AAAAAAAAAjA/5C42U1M0S94/s200/418_05_main_02.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now: Main Space</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnIFZbKROpw/T6tFcXn1CoI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/ZBF7ZtnBuqs/s1600/418_04_fp_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnIFZbKROpw/T6tFcXn1CoI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/ZBF7ZtnBuqs/s200/418_04_fp_01.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: Game Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVXIdXODwnI/T6tF3oB7N3I/AAAAAAAAAi4/8ioJvJaBoH8/s1600/418_05_fp_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVXIdXODwnI/T6tF3oB7N3I/AAAAAAAAAi4/8ioJvJaBoH8/s200/418_05_fp_02.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now: Game Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bV3Dr0wNsoA/T6tFX0iku9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/Zwc3DQ2tuI4/s1600/418_04_ent_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bV3Dr0wNsoA/T6tFX0iku9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/Zwc3DQ2tuI4/s200/418_04_ent_01.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: Entertainment Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr161J0bRno/T6tFzCh-qtI/AAAAAAAAAio/BE1SILN2WNo/s1600/418_05_ent_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr161J0bRno/T6tFzCh-qtI/AAAAAAAAAio/BE1SILN2WNo/s200/418_05_ent_02.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now: Entertainment Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoBgATlEQTI/T6tFV2DxK2I/AAAAAAAAAh4/VF1YLjiEgcw/s1600/418_04_bar_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoBgATlEQTI/T6tFV2DxK2I/AAAAAAAAAh4/VF1YLjiEgcw/s200/418_04_bar_01.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: Bar Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYD2xm_tYQo/T6tFxBMQcLI/AAAAAAAAAig/L16ZxQ_s1j8/s1600/418_05_bar_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYD2xm_tYQo/T6tFxBMQcLI/AAAAAAAAAig/L16ZxQ_s1j8/s200/418_05_bar_02.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now: Bar Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDmJ6aE-QqA/T6tFaKad-MI/AAAAAAAAAiI/DtSsGMhaVrA/s1600/418_04_exercise_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDmJ6aE-QqA/T6tFaKad-MI/AAAAAAAAAiI/DtSsGMhaVrA/s200/418_04_exercise_01.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: Exercise Room</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDiKdPDTYyc/T6tF1JRn0gI/AAAAAAAAAiw/GD7aVo5yvls/s1600/418_05_exer_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDiKdPDTYyc/T6tF1JRn0gI/AAAAAAAAAiw/GD7aVo5yvls/s200/418_05_exer_02.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now: Exercise Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-14827567338406016042012-03-28T09:42:00.000-05:002012-03-28T09:47:40.040-05:00Planting Edible Landscaping at Millennium Park!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkqfQ8KSXm0/T3MkjHsH0hI/AAAAAAAADpI/R90YNWVyNXM/s1600/photo-760041.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkqfQ8KSXm0/T3MkjHsH0hI/AAAAAAAADpI/R90YNWVyNXM/s320/photo-760041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724959737096163858" /></a></p>Attractive (with a bit more water) and edible urban agriculture! I wonder what they'll do with the harvest?Amy Coffman Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006404447304673779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-28373504595509613652012-03-22T13:46:00.005-05:002012-03-22T13:46:54.979-05:00My Failures in CompostingI've been keeping a compost pile going on six years now and I don't think I've ever had a good batch that I can use in my garden. I'm so frustrated I'm about to give up. I just had the last straw when I went to go turn over my (<a href="http://www.gaiam.com/product/spinning+composter.do">spinning drum style</a>) composter and saw that I have an entire ecosystem of fruit flies flying around it. Gladly, it's in an out of the way part of my yard, but it's a nuisance and a reminder that composting is an art, not a science. <br />
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Composting experts will tell you to have a 50/50 ration of "dry or brown" to "wet or green" ingredients. I tend to put more green ingredients, my kitchen and garden scraps, and forget to put in more brown ingredients, such as shredded bills, newspaper or leaves. The result is an anaerobic mess that never quite cures and attracts pests. <br />
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But as much as I want to, I'm not giving up. In fact, I'm doubling down and getting a<a href="http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Search-Show?&ViewAll=1&q=composters&utm_source=Google&utm_term=composters+best&SC=XNET8019&kwid=ea27128e4c9d4381890cd868510dafdf"> cute little crock</a> that will sit on my counter when I have kitchen scraps (instead of a plastic bag out the back) and I'm going to go dump a bunch of leaves in the composter. Then I'll cross my fingers and hope that history does not repeat itself and I have usable compost by the time planting season begins. <br />
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An idea for entrepreneurs out there - start a composting service. Green minded folks with no ability to compost (me) will sign up. You can pick up our kitchen scraps once or twice a week, compost it, and then sell us back our waste in the form of local, organic garden soil. I know the awesome community <a href="http://www.prairiecrossing.com/pc/site/about-us.html">Prairie Crossing</a> has a similar service in Gray's Lake, Illinois. Someone needs to start one in my town. But for all the reasons mentioned above, it won't be me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-80347605099431625272012-03-22T09:00:00.000-05:002012-03-22T09:00:50.718-05:00Backyard Living Space<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCOTD3uxX_U/T2svYF_PX4I/AAAAAAAAAhg/7Xk5N0RNt4c/s1600/backyardkt-color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCOTD3uxX_U/T2svYF_PX4I/AAAAAAAAAhg/7Xk5N0RNt4c/s400/backyardkt-color.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backyard Proposal by Amy Coffman Phillips for Liquid Triangle Sustainability</td></tr>
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This is why I love having friends who buy houses - I get to think of fun ways to spend their money! I have a friend who bought a beautiful home in the downtown area of a local suburb. The lots are usually pretty small, but she found one larger than most and wanted to expand the living space back there to include an outdoor kitchen and fireplace as well as some additional seating. I'm pretty happy with it - I hope she is too!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-34779245173051395932012-03-20T13:44:00.000-05:002012-03-20T15:36:36.882-05:00The Bees are out...and it's March<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP7SLYQniNw/T2jOiL3nPDI/AAAAAAAAAhI/u1Yfq9aReFM/s1600/beehive_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP7SLYQniNw/T2jOiL3nPDI/AAAAAAAAAhI/u1Yfq9aReFM/s320/beehive_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: AskNature.org</td></tr>
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As I sit here in my backyard on this record breaking warm day in March, I am buzzed by bees and wasps flying near my head. While this is a startling occasion at any time, I wondered how the bees will fare when this unseasonably warm weather cools to the normally chilly spring that we normally have. We will still have a frost, right? And thinking about it, how do bees survive Chicago winters at all? And is there anything we can learn from them?<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bees are social insects and spend their lives in colonies, or hives. They live and die in their colonies and do not migrate to warmer climates seasonally, so when the temperatures hit freezing, how do bees keep their nests? It turns out, they vibrate. The intentional vibration of their thorax creates heat so that their young can survive the cold. Intentionally creating heat or harnessing energy from vibration is not something we tend to emulate in the built environment - in fact, it accounts for energy loss and unwanted heat gain. But perhaps by harnessing vibrational energy as a source of heat, we could save energy on our mechanical systems.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Genetic diversity also plays a role in keeping the hive warm during winter. When hives are genetically diverse and sired from more than one male, they will have different comfort levels and therefor different temperature response thresholds. When a few individuals with a high threshold feel the hive is cold, they begin to vibrate. When the temperature continues to drop and others with a lower cold threshold feel the hive is cold, they begin to vibrate at that lower temperature, and so on. The colder it gets in the hive, the more bees will vibrate to maintain 32 - 36 degree </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Fahrenheit</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> in the winter. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The opposite is true for cooling the hive in summer when bees use their wings as fans to expel hot air.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This distributed response mechanism dampens temperature spikes and keeps the hive at a livable temperature. From this, we can be inspired to set building thermostats at different thresholds to regulate staggered response, saving energy versus an "all on/all off" approach. </span></span></span><br />
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So what does this early spring mean for the bees? Since the warm weather has been consistent and flowers have responded to the higher temperatures by flowering, it is likely the honeybees will be fine this year. Any time the temperature is above 50 degrees, they are flying looking for food. When the temperature is warm in January and there aren't any flowers with pollen, this is damaging to the hive because they're are expending energy without bringing more food in. But since the entire ecosystem is responding to our sustained early spring, the insects should be fine for now. And abundant. Only time will tell if the same can be true for the flowers and buds, for they could die back with a hard frost and our actual spring may not be so colorful after all. <br />
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On another note, I should mention I have a particular fondness for honey bees. When my daughter was born in 2007 it was the height of the honey bee colony collapse disorder. Being a hippie at heart, I thought by naming my daughter Ellen Bee, I could help send the positive energy that I felt at her birth to the honey bees of the world and help them heal. And maybe now that the bee die-offs have been <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/03/honeybee-deaths-linked-to-corn-insecticides/">recently linked to Monsanto's corn insecticide</a>, we can correct this horrible mistake and let the bee colonies heal. And this is so important, not just for the honey we use to sweeten our tea or the pollination benefits we enjoy for our fruit and nuts: the health and survival of all species is important to the health and survival of our ecosystems, and ourselves. End of sermon. Amen.<br />
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<b>References:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.asknature.org/strategy/f508bfed3a8b7070cd5056d9f1c3006d">Vibration creates heat: honeybee</a><br />
<a href="http://www.asknature.org/strategy/958ba5b01d37e6de7841c4b5d6bf9740">Varying response thresholds aid hive thermoregulation: honeybee </a><br />
Insects and the warm spring: NP<span style="font-family: inherit;">R Science Friday, March 12, 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://insects.about.com/od/adaptations/p/wintersurvival.htm">Where do insects go in winter? </a></span><br />
Biomimicry BPCP CourseworkAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-33137126397231643542012-03-20T11:10:00.001-05:002012-07-25T17:00:00.187-05:00Learning Resilience from a Sea Star<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWYTqFoZ3B4/T2hvv6C754I/AAAAAAAAAg4/SdhJBrZM5nw/s1600/starfish__asknature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWYTqFoZ3B4/T2hvv6C754I/AAAAAAAAAg4/SdhJBrZM5nw/s320/starfish__asknature.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: AskNature.org</td></tr>
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I am continually amazed by the diversity of life on this planet. I remember walking the beaches of Sanibel Island as a child and seeing shells and seaweed in so <span style="font-family: inherit;">many forms, and having difficulty understanding that these "things" aren't inanimate objects, but forms of life. They are all so unique and so unlike us, and there is so much we can learn from them to naturally inspire our creativity. On my recent trip back to Sanibel, I was particularly fascinated by the sea star, which as an <span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;">echinoderm and related to the sand dollar, an organism that has fascinated my mother for as long as I can remember. Thinking about the sea star's regeneration abilities got me thinking about natural resilience, so I did a little research.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292a29; font-family: inherit;">We all learned in grammar school that a starfish can regenerate limbs and even reproduce asexually from a severed arm when they are attacked by a predator (talk about leveraging disturbance to your advantage!). And this ability alone is amazing, but their structure is equally so. The five arms that reach out from a central core, called pentaradial symmetry (think soccer ball, instead of the bi-lateral symmetry that we have), has inspired architects and packaging designers with its efficient 3D enclosure. But when I looked at a real (albeit </span><span style="color: #292a29;">taxidermic</span><span style="color: #292a29;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">) starfish that my daughter picked up at a souvenir shop, what I was most curious about was the texture. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292a29;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292a29;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The sea star is covered in thousands of bumps of varying sizes. Large </span>protruding<span style="font-family: inherit;"> bumps, small recessed bumps, all which serve its radial geometry. But there had to be there for a reason other than looking good. So, I looked it up in the amazing website <a href="http://asknature.org/">AskNature.org</a> and found out that the holes I saw on the surface of the organism are also present at a microscopic level. The reason for these macro and microscopic holes have to do with its resilience to fracture. By creating thousands (millions?) of holes, tiny cracks that try to form in the structure of its limbs cannot become very big before they hit a hole and are stopped. Creating tiny holes also lessens the amount of material the organism must create, saving energy. True multi-functional design! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292a29;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292a29;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I found through my research was that the sea star is also an indicator species. The sea star is greatly affected by water quality because the pump untreated water directly into their bodies through their vascular system. Therefor, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;">mass die-offs of a population will indicate that toxins or contaminants have disturbed the water, such as an oil spill. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;">Lessons for natural resilience: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #292a29;">Create business structures that can survive, reproduce, and thrive after being severed from the main organization due to disturbance. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292a29;">Use material efficiently.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292a29;">When a system is vulnerable to one particular type of stress, look for structural or built-in ways to arrest that disturbance before it is allowed to grow too large.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292a29;">Create barriers to yourself and your environment. Create filters or similar structures that provide a buffer for you from the elements so that you have a chance to react before it is too late to respond. Or, create test subjects to test the elements for you.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">References:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.asknature.org/strategy/7766025228ecd836d440f23c9abd4662">http://www.asknature.org/strategy/7766025228ecd836d440f23c9abd4662</a> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.asknature.org/strategy/fd3f0f7a35b9d82aa7328af1881fafbf">http://www.asknature.org/strategy/fd3f0f7a35b9d82aa7328af1881fafbf</a> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f4f9f0; color: #292a29; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-72033377676230003262012-03-20T09:41:00.000-05:002012-03-22T14:11:54.062-05:00What I've been doing for the last month...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Future Basement</td></tr>
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I haven't been posting much about biomimicry lately, for a good reason. I've been spending all my spare time working on a pricing and construction set for my basement build out. It's been really fun to dive back into the world of architecture, design, and even CAD and I'm excited to transform the concrete dungeon to a fun entertainment space for my family. We'll likely start construction in a month and I'll post photos of things I find interesting, but for now back to biomimicry!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-22735295740454809312012-03-06T12:14:00.000-06:002012-03-06T12:17:25.275-06:00How do you recreate Africa in Orlando?<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/w6yzCti7Lp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-geYvHFtxlYg/T1ZHMNPk0FI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Nj8oKW8c-U8/s512/IMG_0513.JPG" /></a><br />
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I recently returned from my first trip to <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/?CMP=KNC-WDW12_Q2RAC_CST_GO|G|4121310.RR.AM.B3501.04" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">Disney World</a> in Orlando, Florida for the first time in over twenty years and I'm exhausted, but my kids had a great time. At 2 and 4, they were rather overwhelmed, but my 2 year old son really took to <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">Animal Kingdom</a>, which was the one I was most looking forward to as well. And it got me thinking - how did the designers really make it possible that the flora and fauna that is adapted to an African climate can survive in a former swamp like Orlando? I would have thought that the two climates would be too different, but as I sat outside of my room at the Animal Kingdom at night with a constructed savanna outside my balcony, they somehow did it. </div>
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Africa is so large that it encompasses the majority of biomes on the planet, from arid desert to tropical rain forest, and the animals at Animal Kingdom are from a variety of African climates, from the savanna to the forest to the swamps. But the Disney experience is only possible, of course, with heavy management and density. It is a zoo on steroids and it could not exist without heavy management - tigers sit atop a constructed hill just above gazelles, separated by a carefully concealed electrical fence. Fish swim in ponds so densely they are rarely 6" from another. Alligators climb on each other for sunny perches. And from my balcony, I would see managers driving in food for the zebras and giraffes to eat because they are too densely packed to survive by grazing.</div>
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But in it's own way, it's lovely. Although a true African safari is still on my "bucket list", it is far off in my future. And the ability to travel a few hours from my parent's home in south Florida and see large, magnificent animals is an experience I'm glad to have had - and to expose my children to. On a 25-minute safari, I saw all of this as well as termite mounds which I thought were just for show but supposedly they are real because certain animals feed off of them. And the Lion King show was fantastic! Seriously - FANTASTIC.</div>
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I'm not sure how much I learned about the world by coming here, but my kids had a good time seeing exotic animals and being outside all day. And they now love to hear me read about different animals from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Animal-Encyclopedia-Dk-Reference/dp/0756602270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331057546&sr=8-1">First Animal Encyclopedia</a> I bought there, so it was worth it. </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-59671760173194816022012-02-09T12:46:00.001-06:002012-02-26T19:41:42.315-06:00So the groundhog got me thinking......how do animals adapt to freezing Chicago winters? <br />
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Humans seal ourselves off in conditioned homes and cars, burning a lot of fossil fuel energy to do so. But animals don't have that option. So how do they do it? I decided to revisit my grade school classes and relearn what I've forgotten. And maybe there is something we can learn for design.<br />
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<b>Groundhogs</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1BLQj9LLyg/TzP9dgZ1BWI/AAAAAAAAAak/UJ1IvI-ie1w/s1600/groundhog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1BLQj9LLyg/TzP9dgZ1BWI/AAAAAAAAAak/UJ1IvI-ie1w/s320/groundhog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: <a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/wallpaper/groundhog_image.html">National Geographic Society</a> </td></tr>
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Groundhog Day got me think, of course, about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog">groundhogs</a>. As I learned in grade school, they do in fact <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernate">hibernate</a> from approximately October to March, but toward the end of hibernation (oh, say February 2nd or so?), they enter various stages of arousal to test the temperature and scope out new territory before entering into a semi-hibernated state like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpor">torpor</a>. The purpose of hibernation, of course, is to conserve calories when food is scarce, so the animal's metabolic rate slows and the body cools, respiration and heart rate are depressed. Groundhogs enter into obligate hibernation, where they are aroused by internal mechanisms and usually unable to be aroused due to external stimluli. Other animals enter into facultative hibernation, or semi-hibernation, where they are able to be aroused but the purpose is the same: conserve energy when it is scarce. <br />
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As is common in nature, this is caused by a chemical reaction. The mechanism that causes this state, dubbed the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation_induction_trigger">hibernation inducement trigger (HIT)</a>, as a chemical process is not yet fully understood. In mice, studies show the mechanism to be a type of adrenalin that stimulated fat cells to induce dormancy. It is triggered as a response to (usually) lower ambient temperature and time of year, among other individual body characteristics of the animal such as fat levels and hair type. The animals pack on enough fat before hibernation to survive the winter, both in terms of insulation and calorically, and they enter into a deep sleep state that suppresses their metabolic rate to conserve energy that would have otherwise been spent to keep them warm. Groundhogs designate separate "winter burrows" for this purpose, dug just below the frost line (42" below grade in Chicago), where temperatures remain constant and above freezing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6f6cxjF5Ro4/TzP9AcAdhgI/AAAAAAAAAac/wXMjkZvlLrI/s1600/five+enterens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6f6cxjF5Ro4/TzP9AcAdhgI/AAAAAAAAAac/wXMjkZvlLrI/s320/five+enterens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: <a href="http://brooklyn.eva.bailey/">Brooklyn.Eva.Bailey</a> </td></tr>
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<b>So what can we as humans learn from the groundhog? </b><br />
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I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to sleep 6 months out of the year, but the idea of entering into a <i>state of dormancy to conserve energy</i> is something we practice but can can do more. <br />
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<ul>
<li>We now have <i>programmable thermostats</i> that can drastically decrease the temperature of rooms when unoccupied, such as the first floor or basement of your home when you are asleep upstairs. You just need to remember to set them.</li>
<li><i>Building operations phasing</i>. Sections of a building, or even entire buildings, can be rendered dormant when not in use, leaving only crucial functions such as dehumidification or heating to maintain above freezing temperatures, intact. This can be used in existing buildings. </li>
<li>In a <i>business resilience </i>context, protocols could be set in place that automatically shut down operations or product lines in locations where resources are temporarily scarce with protocols for their reinstatement when resources come back online. </li>
<li>The hibernation inducement trigger as a chemical response has design applications that include extended life for organ transplants, less stress to the body during surgery, and suspended animation for interstellar space travel. The sky's the limit!
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What about <i>building underground</i>? Burrowing down multiple stories and building undergound cities is something out of science fiction for a reason - it is cost prohibitive, interferes with water tables, and is not feasible for areas with high density populations. But perhaps we can take these lessons and apply them to our existing context.<br />
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<ul>
<li>The steady state temperature below the frost line is used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_heat_pump"><i>geothermal heat pump systems</i></a> to cycle water through a building and more passively heat and cool structures.
Wouldn't it be cool if our basement concrete floor slabs incorporated geothermal technology by cycling water through the slab, which is already below the frost line, through the building to partially heat and cool the building? </li>
<li>During the energy crisis of the 1970s, <i>underground housing</i> started to become popular. In it's way, it's genius. The earth above acts as insulation and a wind break, thereby saving energy in a completely passive way. The issue with underground housing is density - it just isn't feasible in more populated areas. But the concepts of <i>hyper insulation </i>and <i>curved structures to deflect wind </i>can be emulated in building form and performance design and are directly applicable to cold climates.</li>
<li>In areas where building partially underground is feasible, the earth removed from the excavation can be reused at the sides of the building as a <i>berm</i>, directing cold winter air up and over the building passively.</li>
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Up next...learning from insects to survive the winter...specifically, honeybees. So much to learn! I welcome your comments, thoughts, and ideas. <br />
<br />
Amy<br />
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<b>Resources:</b><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog</a>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernate">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernate</a>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpor">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpor</a>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estivation">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estivation</a>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation_induction_trigger">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation_induction_trigger</a>
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<a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8668-the-groundhog-wakes-but-why-did-he-hibernate.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8668-the-groundhog-wakes-but-why-did-he-hibernate.html</a>
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<a href="http://brooklynavabailey.blogspot.com/2011/02/groundhog-report.html">http://brooklynavabailey.blogspot.com/2011/02/groundhog-report.html</a> (photo)<br />
<a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/wallpaper/groundhog_image.html">http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/wallpaper/groundhog_image.html</a> (photo)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-49949546966723661892012-02-01T15:49:00.001-06:002012-02-01T15:49:39.875-06:00Thinking about Niches - a Spanish Biomimicry iSite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkR6__bQGF8/Tymt53cO35I/AAAAAAAAAaM/Vyg9uq_LKzk/s1600/2012_spain_niche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkR6__bQGF8/Tymt53cO35I/AAAAAAAAAaM/Vyg9uq_LKzk/s400/2012_spain_niche.jpg" width="370" /></a></div>
In Spain for our latest BProfessional intensive, we had an iSite where we picked an organism and looked to find it's niche - how it fits in with its environment. The location of our retreat was a hilly area with lots of clay, falling rocks, and erosion. And even without a lot of water - the area was almost considered a desert - plants were there to stabilize some of the soil. There were quite a few plants with really gnarly roots that seemed to zigzag down the slope in such a way that I thought it could be a stabilization mechanism, much like how we spread our feet and place them parallel to the slope to stabilize ourselves on a steep slope. I can't find any mention of this form in the literature I've referenced, but I'm sticking with my observation until proven wrong. So when looking at the contextual limiting factors for this Rosemary bush, it would seem that its ability to thrive in unstable soil with poor nutrients and not a lot of water allowed it to carve out a niche where other organisms aren't able to survive. And the zigzag form is one that I find interesting. This tool for natural observation is one that I find useful when trying to understand the contextual factors that influence an organism's ability to survive and be resilient against adverse conditions.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814568810932448901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-57046927824838443142012-01-19T15:31:00.001-06:002012-01-19T15:32:12.656-06:00Upcoming Biomimicry Seminar in Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m5WvTiAHx60/TxiKqXqAWqI/AAAAAAAADaE/oue_q6niAWE/s1600/CCGT-300x104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m5WvTiAHx60/TxiKqXqAWqI/AAAAAAAADaE/oue_q6niAWE/s1600/CCGT-300x104.jpg" /></a></div>
I am pres<span style="font-family: inherit;">enting a seminar on Biomimicry as a design innovation strategy at the Chicago Center for Green Technology Thursday, April 12th at 6pm, with </span>Lindsay James (BProfessional 2013 Candidate and Sustainability Strategist at InterfaceFLOR)<span style="font-family: inherit;">. The course is a professional service and free, but registration is required. Hope to see you there!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.chicagogreentech.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1091080&eventId=434210&EventViewMode=EventDetails"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Biomimicry: Naturally Inspired Design Innovation</span></a></h1>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">SPEAKER: Amy Coffman Phillips, Liquid Triangle Sustainability; </span><span style="background-color: white;">and Lindsay James, InterfaceFLOR</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature to solve human problems, is emerging as a powerful tool for creating sustainable design and systemic transformation. Applied at a variety of scales, from individual products to buildings and organizations, biomimicry bring nature’s 3.8 billion years of innovation experience to the table. Our discussion will examine this quickly evolving practice, review what it is, how it is being applied and its powerful potential for the future. AIA/CES: 2LU</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.chicagogreentech.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1091080">Click here for the full course catalog</a> - lots of fun programs!</span></span>Amy Coffman Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006404447304673779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-31387587479200596112012-01-19T14:05:00.002-06:002012-01-19T14:05:56.111-06:00Biomimicry in Architecture, and in My LifeI just got back from my fourth <a href="http://www.biomimicry.net/ProfessionalPathways/upcoming_courses/index.html">BProfessional </a>intensive in Almaria, Spain, and as always, it was a transformative experience. While there I had the pleasure of meeting and learning from <a href="http://www.exploration-architecture.com/section.php?xSec=15">Michael Pawlyn</a>, British architect and founder of Exploration Architecture, a firm focused exclusively on sustainable projects that take inspiration from nature. His book<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Biomimicry-Architecture-Michael-Pawlyn/dp/1859463754/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327003246&sr=8-1"> "Biomimicry in Architecture"</a> is a gorgeous treatise on embodying natural forms and processes into the built environment, and for those of you who haven't seen this TED talk, I highly recommend it. <br />
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In this TED talk and in our session, he eloquently describes what drew me to biomimicry in the first place, that it is a positive way of thinking and talking about sustainable design. It doesn't focus on incremental changes, but on complete paradigm shifts that change your perspective. He says that biomimicry is about "synergies, and abundance, and optimizing" and "sets people's souls ablaze." I couldn't agree more. I had the same feeling after my first BProfessional intensive that I did after reading "<a href="http://www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm">Cradle to Cradle</a>" by William McDonough - it was a paradigm shift in the way we look at fitting in with this world. <br />
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The idea of mimicking the interactions between mature ecosystems, as shown in<a href="http://www.theableproject.org.uk/produce/sustainable-fish"> Grahm Wiles' "Cardboard to Caviar" project</a> and the <a href="http://saharaforestproject.com/#/">Sahara Forest Project</a>, is particularly appealing to me. Mr. Pawlyn talks about competition as a sign of an immature ecosystem where in mature ecosystems, symbiotic relationships are the standard. To me, that's radical thinking in our capitalist environment where everyone, it seems, is out for themselves. But we aren't going to change the world to be more sustainable within the competitive power structures that exist today. We need a paradigm shift. The following became our mantra for the week:<br />
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<i>Go fast = go alone<br />Go far = go together</i></blockquote>
I hope to embody this meme everyday in my work and life. It goes against the normal business grain, so this won't be an easy challenge to live up to. But it is necessary to accomplish great things. We need networks. We need collaborators. We need to work together. Biomimicry, for me, is so much more than mimicking forms and processes into design. It's about reconnecting with the natural world and embodying the ethics of sustainability within my work and life. It's about reconnecting with the genius of the place I live in and learning from life around me. And it's about setting lofty goals and living my life trying to achieve them. <br />
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As always, the BProfessional intensive retreats are intense sessions of visioning and transformation and I feel so fortunate to be on this path. <br />
<br />Amy Coffman Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006404447304673779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-22853318382091979622011-12-20T13:48:00.000-06:002011-12-20T13:48:56.832-06:00Drawing of a Nautilus Shell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUSyd7u0N7Y/TvDmFWnvMXI/AAAAAAAAAo0/M0tDE7hWAsA/s1600/nautilus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUSyd7u0N7Y/TvDmFWnvMXI/AAAAAAAAAo0/M0tDE7hWAsA/s320/nautilus.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>Abstracting a natural object and graphically depicting it as an architectural object. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-70028694382112554962011-11-22T13:50:00.000-06:002011-11-22T13:50:39.560-06:00Thanks, Wikipedia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Support_Wikipedia/en"><img alt="Support Wikipedia" border="0" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Fundraising_2009-horizontal-thanks-en.png" /></a></div><br />
Wikipedia is a free resource I use every day and my work would be so much more complicated without having this one place to look up scientific topics, read their synopsis and follow their links. It is a non-profit entity and looking for donor support. I encourage you to support their mission.<br />
<br />
<table class="quote" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="color: #b2b7f2; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 40px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: left;" valign="top" width="20">“</td><td style="font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 4px;" valign="top">Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet has free access to the sum of all human knowledge.</td><td style="color: #b2b7f2; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 40px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="20">”</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="padding-right: 30px;"><div style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em; text-align: right;"><cite style="font-style: normal;">—Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia</cite></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-65879341356952318382011-11-15T13:41:00.004-06:002011-12-27T10:02:35.003-06:00On Biomimicry in Buildings: A Work in Progress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKHZGMH9Kvc/TsLA8rTyOII/AAAAAAAAAos/N_P50di2OrY/s1600/three_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKHZGMH9Kvc/TsLA8rTyOII/AAAAAAAAAos/N_P50di2OrY/s320/three_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missing photo credit. File no longer found.</td></tr>
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The integration of biomimicry into the built environment is a work in progress and I am continually looking for models that explore its potential. Below are my thoughts as of now and I am hoping to continue this discussion for years to come.<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Biomimicry and Living Buildings.</b> I have heard that the <a href="https://ilbi.org/lbc">Living Building </a>Challenge was inspired by biomimicry, but I don't know this for a fact. Even if it weren't, many of its principles are the same: building performance tied to regional characteristics (life's principle to be locally attuned & responsive), limits to growth (integrate growth with development), zero impact (material/energy efficiency), and integrating beauty. I can think of many building products and a few examples of partial systems integration (the living waste water treatment eco-machine at the <a href="http://www.eomega.org/omega/about/ocsl/">Omega Center</a> or various products, as quick examples), but I can think of only one building (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastgate_Centre,_Harare">Eastgate Center</a> in Zimbabwe) where it has been integrated on both a metophorical as well as performance basis. I am constantly searching for more examples of building integrated biomimicry and would welcome any suggestions that come my way.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Nature as Measure. </b> Similar to the zero impact prerequisite set by the Living Buildings Challenge, using the inherent ecosystem services of a site as a measure to benchmark the ecological performance of a particular building is very powerful. If a site was formally prairie that absorbed and held <i>x</i> gallons of water, <i>y</i> number of species, and <i>z</i> tons of biomass, designers can strive to create buildings that strive to meet or exceed this threshold. I especially like the <a href="http://welikia.org/">Mannahatta Project</a> as an example because as a virtual ecological restoration of the island of Manhattan, it holds the genius of the original place as a benchmark by which the ecological performance of a site. Are there similar efforts in other regions of the world?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Biomimicry in Existing Buildings.</b> I've started having conversations about biomimicry in existing buildings with architects all across the country. This is a potentially amazing solution space that is relevant to all major developed cities across the globe. Beyond integrating biomimicry inspired products into interior fit-outs, how can we begin to emulate life in existing structures? How does nature reuse materials? How does nature adapt to changing conditions? How can our buildings evolve to survive? And what are natural models that can help guide our search? This is usually discussed in a metaphorical sense, but I am continually looking for tangible manefestations of this on individual existing buildings. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Systems Interaction. </b> Finally (for now), there are many parallels to how the components of an ecosystem interact and how the components of a building interact. Systems are systems and I know there are exciting lessons to be learned in this space. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is just the beginning and I welcome any and all thoughts from interested parties.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Interesting References (courtesy of Dayna Baumeister)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.d3space.org/competitions/">http://www.d3space.org/competitions/</a> (previous competitions, natural systems)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://biomimetic-architecture.com/">http://biomimetic-architecture.com</a></span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-30027796022543924902011-11-01T10:17:00.002-05:002011-11-01T10:17:55.068-05:00Upcoming Events!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Come hear about Biomimicry at the next <a href="http://www.foresightdesign.org/events/detail.php?id=1715">Foresight Green Drinks</a> in Chicago! </b><br />
November 16th at 5:30pm (panel starts around 6:30)! I'll be on a panel with Lindsay James of InterfaceFLOR and Colin Rohlfing of HOK, facilitated by Peter Nicholson - all <a href="http://www.biomimicrychicago.net/">Biomimicry Chicago</a> core group members! <br />
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<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature to solve human design problems, is emerging as a powerful tool for creating more sustainable solutions. Applied at a variety of scales, from individual products to buildings to organizations, biomimcry brings nature's 3.8 billion years of innovation experience to the design table. </i></span><i>This month's panel examines this quickly evolving practice, reviewing what it is, how it is being applied, the tangible advancements it has already produced, and the powerful potential for the future. Of specific interest to designers, architects, entrepreneurs, biologists, and related others, the conversation will be wide ranging and inspiring to anyone with a concern for a more vibrant and resilient future. Come learn more about this exciting field, and the new emerging network, <a href="http://biomimicrychicago.blogspot.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #00599c; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Biomimicry Chicago</a>.</i></div><div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;">And if you are out in the Northeast Illinois region, check out a </span><a href="http://www.aianei.org/news_events/ViewEvent.php?eventid=1455" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">CEU level presentation</a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><b> I'll be giving on Biomimicry for the AIA NEI Committee on the Environment. </b> November 10th at Wight & Co in Darien, IL. </span></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">N</span>ature is inherently sustainable and has been for over 3.8 billion years.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">While we have been designing our world on a mass scale for approximately 200 years, our evolutionary elders have found a way to fit in on this planet for millennia.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Perhaps they have something to teach us?</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">The emerging practice of biomimicry brings nature’s problem solving solutions to the design table by studying the processes, products, and performance of life on earth and translating their lessons into the language of design.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-15917738499206753052011-10-11T23:40:00.001-05:002011-10-11T23:40:23.770-05:00Pecha Kucha this Thursday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ryerson Woods Pecha Kucha this Thursday! Lindsay James and I are talking biomimicry. Check out this invite for more information.</div>Amy Coffman Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006404447304673779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5306770162548748222.post-81807287650463629002011-10-05T10:16:00.000-05:002011-10-05T10:16:54.917-05:00PechaKucha on Green Design!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">I will be speaking at a Pecha Kucha with Lindsay James, BPCP Candidate and Director of Sustainability at InterfaceFLOR in Chicago <b>next Thursday, October 13th at 7:30pm</b>. Come learn about biomimicry in this fast-paced forum - 20 slides x 20 seconds each! Press release after the cut:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zocaWN3gNMQ/Tox0NeB-FvI/AAAAAAAAAlM/IKZggXgwVas/s1600/pechakucha+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zocaWN3gNMQ/Tox0NeB-FvI/AAAAAAAAAlM/IKZggXgwVas/s320/pechakucha+logo.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">Friends of Ryerson Woods is pleased to announce</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h4>A Mini Lecture Series on Green Design</h4><h4><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Inspired by the Japanese PechaKucha</b></span></h4><div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">LAKE COUNTY, IL, October 3,2011 – Friends of Ryerson Woods will host an unusual and fascinating event inspired by the Japanese PechaKucha trend on <b>Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.</b><span> </span>This one-night-only, mini lecture series will explore the exciting work in green design currently happening in our region.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inspired by the PechaKucha (Japanese for "chit chat") <span> </span>trend that is generating buzz in hundreds of cities around the world, this evening will feature 10 exciting and dynamic speakers from a variety of fields whose work in the greater Chicago area involves environmentally conscious design. The idea is simple: 20 images x 20 seconds. <span> </span>Because no speaker will have more than 6.6 minutes, presentations will be fast-paced and dynamic, creating an atmosphere of excitement and possibility. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Presentations will include designs for the Bloomingdale Trail (Chicago’s version of New York City’s “High Line”), Prairie Crossing Charter School’s bold new vision for a curriculum integrated with nature, the elegant simplicity of Strand Design’s “unique objects for sustainable living,” and the styles of Frei Design’s Annie Novotney—the Chicago Reader’s Best Fashion Designer in Chicago 2011. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText2"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText2"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Designers and artists participating in <i>PechaKucha</i>:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Christina Bader</span></b><span> </span><span>of Farr Associates, the firm described by the New York Times as, “the most prominent of the city’s growing cadre of ecologically sensitive architects”<span> </span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Ted and Sharon Burdett</span></b><span> of Strand Design, who </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">create </span><span style="background: white;">locally made and beautifully designed products </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">from salvaged lumber, urban lumber, locally manufactured materials and re-purposed materials</span></span><b><span><o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Crystal Grover</span></b><span> of Windows by Indo</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white;">, which </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">centers its remarkable window installations around found objects in an attempt to rejuvenate the character of the old and worn</span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Sage Morgan-Hubbard</span></b><span>, </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">independent teaching artist, activist, poet, performer and consultant, currently working with Young Chicago Authors’<span> </span>Youth Poetry Slam, "Louder Than a Bomb"</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Hana Ishikawa</span></b><span> of Site Design, who designs dazzling and sustainable urban landscapes such as </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">Mary Bartelme Park, a new iconic park in the West Loop with many innovative features new to Chicago</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Amy Coffman Phillips </span></b><span>of Liquid Triangle Sustainability, an expert on “biomimicry,” or design that draws innovative solutions from nature, and <b>Lindsay James</b> of InterfaceFLOR, who studies ways to harness the </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">economic system to improve our natural systems </span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Jenny Kendler and Molly Schafer</span></b><span> of the Endangered Species Print Project</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white;">, where </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">100% of the proceeds from ESPP's limited-edition prints support the critically endangered species they depict—and editions are limited to the species' remaining population count</span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Annie Novotny</span></b><span> of Frei Design, award-winning </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">clothing designer, performance artist, and educator at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago</span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Beth White </span></b></span><b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and <span class="apple-style-span">Diane Davis</span></span></b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> of the Trust for Public Land, working to c</span><span style="background: white;">onvert an under-used freight railroad embankment into a multi-use trail and linear park</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span>Nigel Whittington</span></b><span> of Prairie Crossing Charter School, a public school working to transform children through academic discovery and interaction with natural, ecological, and community resources<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal">The Mini Lectures event is part of the <b><span style="color: #00b050;">GREEN DESIGN</span></b> series of public programs at Ryerson Woods.<span> </span>The series seeks to promote a broader understanding of sustainable design and art-making practices across many disciplines. Programs include lectures, workshops, art exhibitions, building tours, and film screenings that will run throughout 2011. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The event will take place in the Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, a Plantinum LEED-certified building designed by architect Bill Sturm.<span> </span>The Welcome Center employs a number of sustainable strategies, from materials choices to the use of natural light, geothermal heating and cooling, and recycled rainwater—in short, the perfect place to host an event devoted to green design in Chicago.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><u>Key Information<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>WHAT:</b><span> </span>Mini Lecture Series on Green Design<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>WHEN:</b><span> </span>Thursday, <b>October 13, 2011</b>, from <b>7:30pm-9:00pm. <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>WHERE:</b><span> </span><b>The Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods.</b><span> </span>Ryerson Woods is located on Riverwoods Road, between Half Day Road (Route 22) and Deerfield Road near Deerfield.<span> </span>Follow signs for Brushwood once you enter the front gate.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>COST:</b><span> </span>$10.<span> </span>No registration required.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>FOR MORE INFORMATION:</b> Call Ryerson Woods at 847.968.3321 or visit us on the web at <a href="http://www.ryersonwoods.org/">www.ryersonwoods.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></div><h1><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ryerson Woods <o:p></o:p></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal">Ryerson Woods is an oasis of 556 acres of magnificent woodlands in the heart of densely populated Lake County. <span> </span>Set in Deerfield, Ryerson Woods is one of Illinois’ premiere natural and architecturally significant areas.<span> </span>A Lake County Forest Preserve, it is listed as a Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places and is also part of the Illinois Nature Preserve System, a designation given only to the most ecologically significant natural areas in the state.<span> </span>Over 100,000 people visit Ryerson Woods each year to attend an education program, walk, bird watch and enjoy the quiet of nature. <o:p></o:p></div><h1><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friends of Ryerson Woods<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Through innovative arts programs presented against a backdrop of stately woods where pre-settlement flora and fauna still linger, Friends of Ryerson Woods seeks to build an environmentally literate constituency.<span> </span>Friends of Ryerson Woods is a not-for-profit organization that uses the unique setting of Ryerson Woods to catalyze people’s understanding, life-long appreciation, and behavior in support of nature.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
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