Extract from Panarchistic Architecture [2018] by Melissa Sterry, PhD
Extract from Panarchistic Architecture [2018] by Melissa Sterry, PhD
Pyrophytic Architectural Genus
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Pyro-Evaders
Evolved to persist in wildland-urban-interface adjoining mixed and high-severity fire regimes, such as Yellowstone’s Lodgepole pine forests, pyro-evading architectures comprise functional traits selected to evade relatively infrequent, but high intensity wildfires.
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Pyro-Endurers
Evolved to persist in wildland-urban-interface adjoining low and mixed-severity fire regimes, such as Californian chaparral and oak forests, pyro-enduring architectures comprise functional traits selected to endure frequent, but relatively low intensity wildfires.
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Pyro-Resistors
Evolved to persist in wildland-urban-interface adjoining low and mixed-severity fire regimes, such as California’s Ponderosa pine forests, pyro-resisting architectures comprise functional traits selected to resist frequent, but relatively low intensity wildfires.
Pyroachetypal Components
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BIOroot™ System
Subsurface hybridised data sensing, processing, actuating, and storage network tracking biotic moisture levels, atmospheric humidity, below and above surface chemical and heat signatures, and other environmental information imperative to informing wildfire resilience and recovery actions.

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Pyri-CONE™
Autonomous information sensing, processing, and actuating component integrating an analogue ballistic propulsion system which distributes architectural and urban design, engineering, and construction data upon activation by chemical, heat, and other environmental signatures of wildfires.

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Retardant BIObark™
Exterior wall-plating system, which modelled on fire-retardant rhytidome, features tissues and furrows of which the design dissipates heat. Materially, whether biologically or synthetically cultivated, its molecular structure, in combination with its horizontal thickness, insulate against low to mixed intensity wildfires.

ArchiDNA™
Architectural specifications, including structural design, material assemblage, fixtures, and fittings which have been synthetically sequenced and stored in DNA.
ArchiDNA-cloning™
Process of architectural replication enabled by synthetic subsurface BIOroot™ System.
MaterialDNA™
Material specifications, including molecular composition and properties including density and strength, which have been synthetically sequenced and stored in DNA.
Structural-Abscission System™
Enabled by mechanical and/or morphological material response, a system that inhibits fire’s capacity to climb building exteriors by shedding of flammable parts. System activation may be seasonally cyclic and/or automated in response to wildfire’s presence.
Subsurface Shelter
Sub-surface shelter protected by a mineral-based re-enforced shell. Equipped with biosensors that register habitation and upon use activate independent oxygen-supply and emit a signal to regional emergency services.
Surface-level DNAta-Storage System™
Freestanding above ground DNA data storage system, which protected by Retardant BIObark™ is external to buildings.
Synthetic Pyriscence-Dispersed-Seeds
ArchiDNA™ storage system, which transportable, may be distributed at multiple spatial-temporal scales. Dispersal processes include gravity, ballistic propulsion, and wind. System exhibits dormancy until chemical and/or heat- activated mechanisms release data in response to wildfire’s passing.
Synthetic Serotinous Substance
Synthetic resin that affixes the exterior parts of a Pyri-CONE™. Upon its melting the cone initiates a mechanical response that that distributes its Synthetic Pyriscence-Dispersed-Seeds.
Synthetic DNA-Seed Bank
Storage facility for synthetically-modified DNA containing architectural and urban design blueprints and other data critical to post-fire rebuilding activities.
Citation: Melissa Sterry (2018) ‘Panarchistic Architecture: Building Wildland-Urban Interface Resilience to Wildfire through Design Thinking, Practice and Building Codes Modelled on Ecological Systems Theory’, PhD thesis, Advanced Virtual and Technological Architecture research group, University of Greenwich, London.
Images: Melissa Sterry © (2018 - 2019) Retardant BIObark™ prototype cladding system