Natural phenomena provide an effective source of inspiration when solving architectural challenges, yet there’s an important distinction between imitating natural processes on an organism or behavioral level and considering ecosystem dynamics as a whole.
Benyus identified several main biomimicry dimensions, including Nature as Mentor, Model and Measure in his biomimicry model. All the buildings discussed here in this article reflect these themes in their construction; all but Council House 2 are inspired by plants or animals (with Council House 2 having more to do with soap bubbles than anything else). All these buildings reflect these biomimicry dimensions through building design inspired by Nature as a Mentor, Model or Measure.
Bird’s Nest Stadium
The Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing stands as an outstanding example of architectural innovation that incorporates biomimetic principles. Built for the 2008 Olympics and still in use today, its latticework of steel resembles that of a bird’s nest hence its name; designers took cues from nature at multiple levels including copying its geometry and forms while adding sustainability elements in addition to aesthetic considerations.
These include merging multiple functions into an elegant solution (like how twigs and branches interlock to form a treehouse), using low-energy processes (such as avoiding high pressures, temperatures or time for reactions) and matching form with function (selecting materials that are lightweight for specific uses).
Buildings around the world have taken note, too. Harare, Zimbabwe’s Eastgate Centre took inspiration from termite mounds to design an eco-friendly cooling system that also reduces air pollution.
The Humid Tropics Biome
The humid tropics are regions located near the Equator that experience year-round high temperatures and daily rainstorms that produce significant precipitation – perfect conditions for rainforest ecosystems.
These regions boast abundant biodiversity, making their ecosystem services invaluable to global environmental protection goals and climate and conservation goals.
Students enrolled in this module investigate natural phenomena that resemble building skins and propose ideas to incorporate these solutions into architectural design. Utilizing biomimicry theories as guides for their proposals, which will then be assessed over three stages.
Students then explore biological analogies that might provide potential solutions to their design problem. Students present these biological analogies through infographics and visuals before discussing their suitability within the context of their research problem. Finally, there will be a dialogue with their instructor as well as an interim review session.
The Qatar Cacti Building
Civil engineering utilizes biomimicry as a solution to some of its most challenging environmental issues, including coastal protection which requires taking a holistic approach in order to lessen erosion’s effect on infrastructure and natural resources.
One innovative technique in coastal protection involves mimicking the slope of sand dunes to diffuse wave energy gradually and reduce its impact on towns’ sea walls without needing high walls that would obstruct views and restrict accessibility.
Civil engineers utilizing biomimicry include Bangkok-based Aesthetics Architects GO Group who designed the Qatar Cacti Building using inspiration from cacti plants’ adaptability in a desert climate, solar shades that adjust depending on sunlight intensity, as well as energy saving technology such as sun shutters that open or close depending on solar intensity – making this building one of many biomimicry examples in civil engineering.
The Sahara Forest Project
Yara and Qafco created the Sahara Forest Project as a pilot facility to test and optimize environmental technologies that support restorative growth in deserts around the world. This showcases biomimicry’s application as a powerful means of creating innovative real world solutions and upgrading existing technologies.
Inspired by Namibian fog-basking beetles and ancient fog collection systems of Chile’s Atacama Desert, the Sahara Forest Project uses seawater greenhouse technology to transform deserts into vibrant green spaces. Collecting fog for collection then irrigating plants produces food and clean energy while simultaneously reversing natural water cycles to combat desertification.
Exploration Architecture, led by Michael Pawlyn of London-based architectural firm Exploration Architecture, draws inspiration from nature to design solutions that increase resource efficiency – a process known as biomimicry. Exploration Architecture’s Sahara Forest Project showcases how integrating various technologies can yield innovative and creative solutions capable of providing freshwater, oxygen and carbon neutral energy solutions in desert regions worldwide.
