BioInspired! So What? Now What!

Two years since Superstorm Sandy, the world is a different place. Everyone is talking about "resilient coastal cities", but what does that really mean? What can we learn from inherently sustainable and resilient natural systems? And how can we apply nature's adaptive strategies to our urban harbors?

THE CHALLENGE
How would nature design resilient breakwaters, supporting human and ecological services and functions?

PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Design charrette of a local breakwater on Governor's Island
Work with an interdisciplinary team of professionals: designers, biologists, architects, engineers and planners (all backgrounds welcome)
Final designs will be presented to the NY Harbor School 

OBJECTIVES
Introduction to the science, philosophy and practice of Biomimicry and the 6 Biomimicry Principles.   

WHEN     Monday, November 17th from 10AM to 5PM

WHERE   Pershing Hall, Governor's Island

COST      $60 per person, $40 for first 10 registrants

LEAD INSTRUCTOR : DR. ANAMARIJA FRANKIC
Dr. Frankic is founder and director of the Green Harbors Project®. She is a Biomimicry Educational Fellow, and a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Zadar. Her background in biology, ecology, limnology and marine science guide her interdisciplinary work in coastal and watershed ecosystem stewardship and restoration. Anamarija founded the LivingLabs® program where students and local communities can ‘learn and teach by doing’ biomimicry, applying nature’s wisdom to be healthy, wealthy and resilient.

ABOUT THE DESIGN CHARETTE
Each participant will be placed on a diverse 5 person team, based on your background and experience. Volunteers from BiomimicryNYC and Biomimicry New England will be assigned to each team in order to provide guidance through the research phase and biomimicry design process.

WORKSHOP PARTNER : THE NY HARBOR SCHOOL
Located in the heart of New York Harbor, Harbor School's mission is to provide a college-preparatory education built upon New York City’s maritime experience that instills in students the ethics of environmental stewardship and the skills associated with careers on the water.

Thanks to Adiel Gavish at Biomimicry NYC for the pointer!