TED Talks: Building Wonder Season 1 Episode 12 Mitchell Joachim: Don't Build Your Home, Grow It!

Mitchell Joachim: Don't Build Your Home, Grow It! is the twelfth episode of season one of the TV series, TED Talks: Building Wonder. In this episode, architect and urban designer Mitchell Joachim discusses the idea of growing homes instead of building them.

Joachim introduces the concept of biologically-based architecture, which involves using living organisms to create sustainable structures. He argues that the current methods of constructing homes are not only environmentally damaging but also insensitive to the natural environment. In contrast, biologically-based architecture uses the principles of nature to create structures that are more harmonious with the environment.

Joachim details several examples of biologically-based architecture that he has personally worked on or researched. He shows images of homes made with living materials such as trees as the foundation and bricks made from mushroom spores. He also discusses the idea of growing homes using biological processes such as bioreactors, which use algae to produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.

Joachim proposes that biologically-based architecture is not only more sustainable but also healthier for humans. He argues that the use of toxic materials in traditional construction can have negative impacts on human health, but biologically-based architecture uses natural materials that are beneficial to human health.

Throughout the episode, Joachim emphasizes the importance of designing structures that are in harmony with the environment. He argues that the future of architecture should not be about constructing buildings that dominate the landscape but about creating structures that allow for a symbiotic relationship with nature.

Finally, Joachim calls on viewers to embrace the concept of biologically-based architecture and to take steps towards creating a built environment that is truly sustainable. He suggests that individuals can start by growing their own food and encouraging green spaces in their communities.

Overall, Mitchell Joachim: Don't Build Your Home, Grow It! is an insightful and thought-provoking episode that challenges viewers to rethink the way we build our homes and cities. Joachim's ideas of biologically-based architecture offer a promising vision for a more sustainable and harmonious built environment.