The Living Ribbon

Project idea

A bird sanctuary that is being eaten up by, the concrete giants thirsting for more and more prime real estate at the marine drive, Kochi. The ribbon is a response to restore ecological balance and revive the declining bird's home and at the same time, satiate the human needs but at an improved level.

Project description

The project consists of three major layers-- the Airpath that shifts the typical human movement from ground level to the higher levels (functions as a pedestrian pathway, connection towards their residences as well as other commercial spaces), The Pods (Glass pods connected via steel frameworks, vibration dampeners etc and is multi-purpose such as cafes, educational spaces, study spaces, workspaces, etc, The sky sanctuary (trees, plants, and respective green to attract birds, restore oxygen levels and where humans are strictly restricted so as to not ruin the "bird sanctuary"). All of these stand on mycelium + carbon bamboo columns that mimic the mangrove patterns from Mangalavanam- the bird sanctuary.

Technical information

Main Structural System
Bio-engineered bamboo carbon composite frame → primary structural skeleton
Mycelium composite columns → vertical supports (self-healing concept)
Structural ribs → support the walkway and pods
Cantilever arms & tension cables → suspend the pods from the walkway
Ring-beam anchors & V-shaped struts → stabilize suspended elements
Walkway
Semi-transparent structural glass
Photovoltaic (PV) glass panels / Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) for energy generation
Glass balustrades/railings
Eco-Pods
Steel-glass or composite shell structure
Double-layer bio-glass envelope
Carbon-bamboo composite framing
Anti-sway dampers and wind bracing rods
Facade / Skin
Algae-infused bio-facade panels
Microfluidic algae channels
Fungal biofilm layers
Carbon-capturing glass panels
Landscape & Ecology Layer
Mycelium-reinforced planter modules
Bio-engineered mangrove planting systems
Integrated irrigation and misting systems
Smart Technology
Environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, air quality)
AI control system
AR navigation/display system
Drone monitoring systems

Documentation

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