Inside Flows
Inside flows is an open source platform which analyses projects that use flows as a method to aid in the design process. “Flows” is the movement of energy, mass or information over time. By analysing systems of flows it encourages a new way of design thinking; inspiring designers to consider a sustainable approach to valuable resources and make sometimes unlikely connections in processes. The projects collected can be anything from furniture, buildings, artistic interventions to large scale urban systems.
Dutch Architecture firm Superuse Studios (formally 2012 Architecten) launched Insideflows as part of an educational programme for INSIDE, Master of Interior Architecture in the Royal Academy of Art in the Hague. The platform allows external users to be part of the network and publish relevant projects to the collection.
‘Buildings and products that integrate flows consciously are adapted to the reality of their surroundings and reflect the identity of place and users. This way, designing with flows often has social, economic and/or environmental benefits.’- INSIDE
At Insideflows there are 3 groups and 14 sub categories which can be used to analyse projects. These include –
-Physical Flows (Users/Traffic/Water)
-Energy Flows (Light/Sound)
-Value Flows (Data/Money/Culture)
Simple changes in flows processes can make a great impact to both the environment and the social implications of design. An example project from the platform is GRO-Holland, which uses an organic cycle of using leftover coffee residue to grow mushrooms, which are sold back to cafes. By closing cycles of flows (in this instance organic material) a new network has mutual benefit for the economy, whilst making a new community of producers.
Gro-Holland – using coffee residue you can grow your own mushrooms.
Material flow analysis diagram – from insideflows
Further information can be found at –
THE SISTER PLATFORM OF INSIDEFLOWS- www.cyclifier.org
INTERVIEW – Jan Jongert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi4MS-a1DA0
MAGAZINE – http://issuu.com/enterinside/docs/insideflows?e=4765422/2436274
BOOK – SUPERUSE: Constructing New Architecture by Shortcutting Material Flows.