Dezeen Magazine

Patternity by Frank Minnaërt

Patternity is the title of a research project by Sydney-based architect Frank Minnaërt, which explores the potential for transferring characteristics found in the epithelia membranes of living organisms to the field of architecture.

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A model called Patternity_ds42 (below) will be on display as part of the Australian exhibition Abundant at the Venice Architecture Biennale this September.

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Here's an explanation from Minnaërt:

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Patternity describes a research process investigating the topological properties of epithelia. In living organisms, these membranes constitute reactive borders between two environments and have specific functions: movement, exchange, selective permeability, mechanical and chemical protection.

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By considering the ability of these membranes to generate types of multifunctional and relational patterns, the objective is to evaluate what could then be transposed into the field of architecture.

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Based on the ambivalent functions, organisational modes, regeneration processes, spatial deformations and continuous transformations of a particular epithelium, Patternity_ds42 has been generated as a physical test model, through an adaptive replication of its components.

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