Beyond Nature and Artifice: Synthesising Structural AirWebs through AI

This study, inspired by Tomas Saraceno, embarked on an interdisciplinary quest to blend art, science, and architecture, creating spatial structures that reflect nature’s complex designs. Aiming to redefine interdisciplinary boundaries, this research draws from the intricate patterns of plant frames and spider webs, utilising 3D printing to materialise these forms. The first outcome of this research is an artistic installation conceived as a manifesto in a broader methodological approach that unfolds through multiple stages. This endeavour aims to bridge the organic with the artificial and to initiate a dialogue that pushes the limits of creativity, ecological awareness, and architectural innovation. The prototype phase involved cataloguing natural structures for their morphological complexity and employing AI to simulate spider web weaving, resulting in 15 distinct structural morphemes. These morphemes, digitally woven and then physically constructed into a large-scale AirWeb, signify a deep engagement between the natural world, AI, and human creativity. This bio-inspired project significantly contributes to architecture, sustainability, and ecological awareness by creating immersive installations that encourage viewers to reconsider the relationship between art, science, and nature. Ultimately, it seeks to inspire future endeavours that blend artistic and scientific methodologies for sustainable and innovative design solutions.