The Dusk of Design: Exploring Multidisciplinary Approaches and Evolutionary Biology in Architecture

The Dusk of Design explores the intersection of evolutionary theories and architectural design. Drawing inspiration from the concept of exaptation in biology, the book argues that natural selection, as the most successful designer on our planet, thrives on the diversity, variability, and redundancy of creative structures. By transferring these mechanisms to architectural design, the book contends that we can cultivate more resilient and sustainable architecture and cities in the face of environmental crises.

This book seeks to illuminate the profound potential of multidisciplinarity by examining case studies from architecture worldwide. By exploring how evolutionary theories can explain various architectural phenomena, it aims to inspire architects, designers, researchers, and students to adopt a holistic and transdisciplinary approach to their work.

The book provides a clear and concise overview of evolutionary principles, demonstrating their relevance to architecture.It will showcase a range of case studies that highlight the application of evolutionary theories in solving architectural challenges, such as adaptive reuse, sustainable urban planning, and resilient design in the face of climate change.

Ultimately, "The Dusk of Design" aims to bridge the gap between biology and architecture, presenting a fresh perspective on how we can create more innovative, sustainable, and resilient built environments.

Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez

PhD (Portsmouth), is a senior researcher at Auckland University of Technology. Previously postdoctoral researcher at the University of Porto. He was a member of the curatorial team of the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2021. He has more than ten years’ experience as a registered architect and urban designer and a chartered member of the Colegio de Arquitectos de Merida (Mexico). In addition, he was a co-founder of the IMPLAN-Merida (Municipal Institute of Urban Planning in Merida City). His research and professional experience include works in Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He focuses on research topics related to informality in the urban landscape, architectural exaptation, as well as studies on urban sustainability and resilience. Antonio has published several academic articles and books highlighting the impact of the transformation of the built environment at the streetscape level towards the diversity of temporary appropriation in cities.

Alessandro Melis

PhD (Florence) RIBA ARB AOU, is Full Professor of architecture innovation at the New York Institute of Technology. In 2019, he was appointed by the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage as the curator of the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Previously, at the University of Auckland, he was the head of the technology area and director of postgraduate engagement. In the period 2010-2013 he has been the Director of Brain City Lab at the university of Applied Arts Vienna, guest professor at the Anhalt University Dessau, and an honorary fellow at the Edinburgh School of Architecture. He has also been invited as a keynote speaker at the China Academy of Art, the MoMA New York, the University of Cambridge, TED, and the Italian Institute of Culture in London, and the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. His work was the object of several publications, including the recent monograph (Rome, 2020) edited by Giuseppe Fallacara, titled “Alessandro Melis, Utopic Real World.”

Paola Boarin

PhD (Ferrara), is Associate Professor of Architectural Technology and Sustainability at Te Pare School of Architecture and Planning of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where she is co-founder and Director of the Future Cities Research Centre. Paola’s research explores the intersections across architecture, technology and environment, focusing on sustainable and regenerative design, post-occupancy evaluation of buildings and neighbourhoods, and adaptive reuse. Paola is involved in transdisciplinary research groups and projects at national and international level focusing on the nexus across design, health and climate change impacts, and works closely with industry and governments. Paola is a member of the Executive and Steering Committees at the Association of Pacific Rim Universities’ Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Hub. Over her career, Paola has gained extensive international experience by collaborating closely on research and teaching activities in several universities in Europe, the USA and New Zealand, receiving two Young Researchers Awards from the University of Ferrara, the International Leadership Award from the U.S. Department of State, in addition to several recognitions for her teaching leadership at the University of Auckland.

Priscila Besen

PhD (Auckland), is a Lecturer in Sustainable and Regenerative Architecture at AUT's Huri Te Ao School of Future Environments. She leads the Architectural Ecologies stream and co-leads the Future Neighbourhoods Lab at AUT, focusing on creating healthy, resilient, and liveable built environments for a post-carbon future. With a Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism from UFSC, Brazil, she has worked in multi-unit residential architecture, urban design, and building environmental certification across Brazil, the USA, and New Zealand. A certified Passive House Consultant and former Board member of Passive House Institute New Zealand, she is also part of the Future Cities Research Centre at the University of Auckland. She co-leads an international research project across Aotearoa NZ and Chile on co-designing collective housing with Indigenous communities. Her award-winning research and practice integrate technical and socio-cultural aspects, including life-cycle thinking, sustainable urban design, co-design, building energy performance, post-occupancy evaluation, adaptive reuse and retrofit.