Biomimicry in Architecture
Biomimicry is defined as “learning from and then emulating nature’s forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs”. It takes inspiration from the natural aspects of our environment that have survived 3.8 billion years and attempts to replicate it into architectural structures and solve human problems sustainably. Architects use this method to design structures that work in collaboration with nature rather than working against its forces.
Nature's unique features enable architects to create buildings that adapt to their surroundings and minimize waste. They imitate these abilities from the living organisms they take inspiration from. From the Eden project that mimics the efficiency of the honeycomb geometry, to the Lotus Temple’s flower form promotes harmony between people and nature.
Architects have been inspired by the beauty and efficiency of nature's shapes and structures to design sustainable and aesthetically pleasing buildings. They study the biological features by observing and learning from the various ways plants and animals solve problems in structure and in function. Architects analyze broad aspects such as how leaves capture light or how bones use minimal materials for maximum strength. They use these observations and incorporate them into their sustainable designs. Nicholas Grimshaw captures these features in the geometry of the honeycomb and soap bubble structure of Cornwall’s ‘Eden project’. The botanical garden consists of steel framework and the durable, transparent plastic replaces glass for the mesmerising domes. This concept is also adapted in the Lotus Temple in New Delhi. Fariborz Sabha was inspired by the beauty of a blooming lotus flower and incorporates the design using 27 marble “petals” arranged in clusters to bring a sense of openness and light. These buildings highlight how by using nature's valuable geometry, architects can design strong, efficient and majestic structures.
Although structural inspiration is important, architects learn how living organisms adapt to their environments. They use these strategies and techniques to improve the efficiency of their designs. They study how organisms adapt to extreme conditions rather than just copying the shapes. Such as how termites maintain their cool temperatures in blazing climates or how certain plants repel debris and water. Architects use this knowledge to respond to environmental challenges. In the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe, Mick Peace, used the knowledge he gained from studying the natural regulation of internal temperatures in termites, which used ventilation channels and applied the principle to his design. In the shopping centre the need for air conditioning is reduced, which significantly decreases the consumption of energy, while still allowing people to enjoy comfortable conditions. The concept of self cleaning buildings is inspired by the lotus leaf, whose micro-textured surface repels water and dirt. Architects use tools such as computational modeling and materials science to help convert these concepts into practical buildings. These designs mimic aesthetics while blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment with its sustainably efficient nature. It demonstrates that architects can design structures that mark a crucial step towards sustainable architecture by observing, understanding and adapting nature's solving techniques.
Biomimicry also inspires architects to design entire buildings and communities as living systems. Nature operates in connected cycles where waste from one process transforms into a resource for another, energy travels efficiently and ecosystems preserve their equilibrium over time. Architects apply these learnings to create closed-looped, regenerative buildings and urban spaces that reduce environmental damage and encourage biodiversity. For instance, a lot of contemporary green buildings use green roofs,rainwater collection and greywater recycling to replicate natural soil and water cycles. Similarly, urban designers take inspiration from food webs and symbiotic relationships. They use this to build societies where energy, materials and services can be shared efficiently, reducing waste while improving sustainability. In an attempt to enhance sustainability at a systemic level, the Biomimicry Institute stresses that cities and buildings must operate like ecosystems rather than isolated unit.This method encourages architects to think further than just structures and to design environments that contribute to the health of their surroundings rather than simply reducing harm. By incorporating ecosystem-level biomimicry, architecture could grow to be rejuvenating, resilient, and fully interwoven with the environment. Such designs prove that others can learn from nature not only in shapes or functions but in how entire systems operate, creating urban settings that thrive in harmony with the natural world.
Biomimicry thus illustrates the potential for architecture to evolve by learning self-evidently from nature to achieve efficient and effective design solutions. Architects can build designs not conflicting with nature by learning from natural wonders and processes and taking a cue from nature's way of functioning and thriving in harmony with their environment. Biomimicry illustrates the potential of innovation by nature, from termite mounds and natural processes to honeycombs and lotus leaves. Architects can build designs to reduce their negative impacts on nature while enhancing the lives of people by becoming aware and understanding and changing natural processes and ways to their favor. Finally, biomimicry thereby proves nature to be a crucial learning ground and teacher for mankind to lead the way to a bright and innovative architectural future where nature and structures coexist in harmony with each other
CITATIONS
https://greenfuturedaily.com/biomimicry-architecture-sustainable-design/
https://www.theoverview.art/biomimicry-in-architecture-examples/
https://theorangeryblog.com/architecture-guides/biomimicry-architecture-examples
https://ecolution.co.za/2023/08/18/biomimicry-in-green-building-design-south-africa/
https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/biomimicry-sustainable-architecture-guide
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomimetic_architecture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastgate_Centre%2C_Harare
https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/architecture/sustainable-archiqtectural-design/biomimicry/
https://www.thedecorjournalindia.com/biomimicry-in-architecture-learning-from-natures-best-builders
https://material360.co/blog/biomimicry-in-architecture