SIMPLY COMPLEX Code PSC013 The human condition requires variation in order for it to survive. Cities also necessitate this disparity. A satellite image acknowledges that cities possess a fractal-like repetition from afar. But when we interact with the city we subconsciously acknowledge the inherent diversity. We have an identity within the city. The subconscious fear of the elements was embodied within our designs of the past. Today this is succeeded by our quest for abundant knowledge of the symbiont reward. Amphibious living? Why do we need to live with water? While 2/3 of our planet is covered by water the global population has increased to over 6 billion and many small countries are so densely populated that they will soon run out of land with which to support their people and their livelyhood. Some of these countries are so poor that they will never be able to do anything about it; consequently amplifying its poverty. With the most evil twist of irony, drought and flood damage mainly affect the poorest countries seriously hindering the struggle against their deficiency. Amphibious living will never be restricted to just one site, the necessity for a ubiquitous solution is obvious. How far can we follow the path laid down by nature? Ecology? Evolution is the most powerful process in nature; it creates and adapts anything, anywhere, but never anyhow. There is an underlying symmetry and is illustrated in fractal mathematics. The symmetry is based on a simple equation which produces very complex and beautiful patterns. Adrovanda vesiculosa is a species of aquatic plant who's roots have evolved into a hexagonal repetition which increases the surface area on the water, producing the necessary bouyancy to support it's weight. The water strider is an amphibious insect with four legs and an elongated body in a hexagonal formation. The centre of gravity is very low and in the centre of the body. Thus, water surface tension remains uninterrupted. Diatoms are microscopic organisms found in water. The geodesic dome is an imitation of their structure. The stellariasolaris is a bold indication of fractal ecology. With nature as our guide, universal proposals can be adapted to any environment. They will become the building blocks of our socio-economic system. Synergy? Has the technology required already been prepared? To prevent drag and the reduction of velocity, aircraft have several fuel tanks within the fuselage containing submersible pumps and float falves, which distribute the weight of fuel as it is consumed. If we are ever to inhabit the moon or mars, nasa are considering the inhabitation of low technology structures such as the fuel containers for their rockets. Fuel containers are air tight, have a natural bouyancy on any composition of land and are usually disgarded after their original purpose has been fulfilled. The hovercraft produces a downward emission of air, which generates an upward force, increasing the bouyancy of the machine. Extracting the technologies of other industries and adapting them to the cause, encourages practical solutions toward the sustainability of the future. Technology? How do we build with water? If we follow the structure of the adrovanda vesiculosa, by creating an extruded hexagonal repetition in plan, we will instigate the standardisation of elements and junctions while retaining the necessary stability required to manufacture habitable systems. If a hinged component is integrated into this foundation system the entire structure will be flexible enough to adapt to any topography. Enclosing the submersible pump and float valve in a watertight container, the structure will remain level and bouyant. As the wet suit traps water between the neoprene and the skin insulating the body from the cold water so too will the fabric of the habitable systems. Conditional? The habitat consits of: An extruded hexagonal space frame contains a geo-technic bubble providing bouyancy, a self-levelling system and the containment of grey-water for the recycling system above. The structure of the roof system is identical to the foundation system. Here, rainwater is collected rather than stored. Gravity takes the rainwater into the centre of the roof where it enters the double-leaf teflon walls. Water is retained within the walls when the external temperature exceeds the thermal comfort zone. Water has a greater thermal capacitance than air therefore heat radiates from the interior. The interior can also be cooled through a natural stack ventilation system extracting air through the roof. During cooler months the water is removed from the walls to form an air-gap thus insulating the internal space. Identity? The background images represent possible urban plans based on a fractal image. Each colour represents an independent building function. The base of the landscape is a perforated mesh; stable enough to carry a car, perforated enough to encourage the growth of vegetation. The landscape above the deck will appear typical but curious.