ELAINE REGINA (IDN)
STUDENT, RMIT UNIVERSITY
Elaine Regina is a junior designer & visual storyteller with a major interest in speculative projects, especially those that incorporate sustainable systems for future living. Initially starting out within the project management and marketing field, she recently joined RMIT School of Design Master of Design Innovation and Technology to pursue her passion in technology and futures. Upon graduation, she hopes to use design as a medium to solve current world issues.
TALK: 'SYMBIOME' (2019)
Symbiome is a breakthrough architectural concept using both biodesign and biomimicry as an approach to promote Mangrove regeneration in the megacity of Jakarta, Indonesia. Its purpose; to raise awareness on, and address Jakarta’s main environmental concerns: floodings, city sinking and water pollution. The building’s architecture works as an artificial bio-system protecting the city from sea floods and rising sea levels. Replicating the role of a natural mangrove forest, it organically desalinates and filters seawater, and provides a substitute to city groundwater consumption. If implemented at scale, Symbiome could help restore Jakarta’s marine biodiversity and ecosystem whilst proposing a new model for urban sustainable living.
The Symbiome concept was originally developed in 2019 by a partnership between RMIT School of Design Master of Design Innovation and Technology (MDIT) and School of Fashion and Textiles Bachelor of Design (Fashion) (Honours) students under the supervision of RMIT School of Design Industry Fellow and Lecturer Dr Ollie Cotsaftis and material scientist and artist JJ Hastings. Symbiome was then presented at both Parsons School of Design and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, USA—where it was named a finalist of the 2019 Biodesign Challenge.
The design team wishes to acknowledge Vaibhav Bansal, graphic designer and RMIT School of Design MDIT former student for his help with brand development and communication design.
