“This time, we come not to learn about nature so that we might circumvent or control her, but to learn from nature, so that we might fit in, at last, and for good, on the Earth from which we sprang.”
-Janine Benyus, a biologist and author of Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.
Biomimicry in architecture, also referred to as “innovation inspired by nature,” is the process of drawing ideas for new goods and concepts from how nature resolves challenging situations.
New ideas and inventions often come from wanting to learn and copy the amazing things we see in nature.
From the ancient invention of the wheel inspired by rolling stones to the design of airplanes influenced by birds, humanity has consistently turned to nature for inspiration.
Nature is “lazy and intelligent,” according to Sigrid 6, a Princeton engineering professor who studies biomimicry. Nature is outstanding at converting trash into food—a vital tool for balancing ecosystems that architecture has mostly overlooked throughout its history.
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Biomimicry in Architecture: Nature as a Teacher
Through trial and error, nature has spent millions of years honing its creations. In several sectors, including materials science and architecture, this strategy has produced amazing achievements.
Let’s take a fascinating example from the animal kingdom: the graceful Kingfisher bird. With its sleek form, this bird effortlessly pierces the water’s surface, leaving hardly a ripple. This ingenious design has kindled inspiration, leading to the evolution of high-speed trains that glide with minimized noise and heightened efficiency. And that’s not all – consider the lotus leaf, which adeptly repels water. This remarkable trait has spurred the innovation of self-cleaning surfaces within our very buildings.
Buildings inspired by termite mounds are designed to optimize temperature regulation without excessive energy consumption.
The lessons nature teaches us to go beyond functionality; and foster a deeper appreciation for the intricate balance and efficiency found in natural systems.
Biomimicry in Architecture
Biomimicry in Architecture is frequently referred to as a distinct and technological approach to copying nature in the creation of various architectural ideas. Because nature is a long-lasting system, the structure inspired by nature can be robust while also being sustainable. The structures are intended to emulate natural functions. Because nature knows no limitations, design inspired by nature knows no bounds as well.
Biomimicry in architecture can form our structure in three ways: function like nature, look like nature, and use nature as elements. Architecture is a journey towards sensitive, nature-inspired design. Nature-inspired design generates more sustainable constructed environments while learning from nature and how it works.
According to Janine Benyus, a biologist and author of Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.
There are three sorts of biomimicry in architecture:
- imitating form and structure
- duplicating a process, such as photosynthesis in a leaf, and
- mimicking at an ecosystem level, such as developing a nature-inspired city.
Examples of Biomimicry in Architecture
Al Bahar Towards Responsive Facade
A project where the past meets the future, tradition intertwines with innovation, and architecture comes alive. In the extreme climate of Abu Dhabi, two towers can automatically adjust their facade based on the sun’s position.
Designed by AEDAS Architects in 2008, they responded to a significant challenge: How do you design a sustainable skyscraper in a country where temperature can reach 45 degrees Celsius?
Inspired by biomimicry in architecture, the architects turned to nature, observing how pupils adjust to light and how flowers respond to the sun. They also turned to the past, studying the mashrabiya, a lattice screen that has been used in Islamic architecture for centuries. This screen diffuses sunlight, keeping buildings cool without obstructing the view or natural light. But how do you design a facade that moves with the sun?
The answer is origami using computer-controlled screens, the facade unfolds like an umbrella, directly responding to sunlight. Solar rays can heat window surfaces to nearly 90 degrees Celsius or 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The screens protect the glass by decreasing glare and allowing diffused light in. The result is a 50% reduction in air conditioning demands and less need for artificial lighting.
The Eden Project
This building located in England weighs as little as the air it contains. This marvel is the Eden project by Grimshaw Architects. Their vision was clear: to construct the world’s largest greenhouse, one that could house an entire rainforest. But every grand vision needs the perfect location.
A quarry nearing the end of its life. However, this unique spot presented its own set of challenges. The quarry was still active, so the topography and the foundation line kept changing. Sometimes as much as ten meters a week. Using bubbles as a solution, they envisioned a series of soap bubbles resting against the quarry side. The beauty of a sphere is its adaptability. Depending on where the ground is, you can adjust the base of the sphere.
This flexibility meant they could accommodate the changing landscape with minimal alterations to their design but they still had one more problem the idea of using air-inflated pillows of a material called ETFE, a material that is about 1% of the weight of a glass and steel structure. So, the final weight of the building is no more than the weight of air outside it. Not only it is much more economical, but it’s also environmentally far more efficient. Proving once again, how biomimicry in architecture can be fundamental to solving architectural challenges.
Cavernous House And Restaurant In Yamaguchi, Japan
Inspiration from creatures like ants and worms to design intricate underground houses. Junya Ishigami, a renowned Japanese architect, brought this concept to life in his home and restaurant project in Yamaguchi. The designs emulate worm tunnels while merging the feel of wineries with ancient cave habitats. However, the creation of this masterpiece was not as straightforward as it seems. Instead of directly excavating the earth, Ishigami employed a unique technique.
They drilled holes into the ground, filled them with concrete, and once set the earth was removed, leaving behind a reinforced concrete structure that appears as if it was carved out of the terrain itself. The layout is straightforward: a small restaurant and a private apartment for two chefs.
The restaurant is located to the north while the residence is on the southern side. Three courtyards act as connectors, allowing easy movement between the two spaces. The project took seven years of planning. Facing challenges like soil collapse and manual labor errors. and although the original plan was to expose the concrete, the beauty of the soil-covered pillars was so captivating that they left a mud layer that gave the current final look. This building challenges conventional design norms and invites us to reimagine the possibilities of architectural expression.
Conclusion
When biomimicry merges with biophilic design, a whole new architectural landscape unfolds. This transformation challenges our role from dominators to collaborators in the natural world. These new methods of doing things demonstrate how we can coexist happily in our rapidly expanding cities.
When we lose touch with nature, it’s not good for our health or the planet. Whether architects, designers, or just regular people, we are at an important crossroads. Our choices today shape the world we hand over to tomorrow. By embracing biomimicry in architecture and biophilic design principles, we hold the power to create spaces that not only captivate with their aesthetics and functionality but also contribute to renewal and pay homage to the intricate web of life. Now is the time to connect with nature and add its smart and beautiful ideas to the things we build.
12_Above left a leopard sun on a termite mound Above right the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe is famously modelled after the same ventilation design principles as termites’_©phys.org
