Pointline Marshes Project . PREX

Interesting example of experimentation taking place by Alan Berger and others at MIT and the GSD. The work involves examining different wetland configurations and how they effect the flow of water to maximize the cleansing effectiveness of the vegetation. The forms and experiments are beautiful and intriguing, it is great to see hydraulic experiments taking place through physical models. Berger describes natural systems as functioning through inefficiency, I would disagree with this. Our narrow view typically pegs the idea of efficiency around a single attribute, such as water flow. Berger is designing systems that trend toward maximum efficiency across a range of attributes which is how natural systems function. Water flow may not be at maximum efficiency but the composite system is at maximum efficiency resulting in greater ecological fitness. Great images and videos at MIT news page and an interesting post on mammoth.



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