Nature, they say, is the best teacher. This is true as nature always adapts and copes with the changing world by seeking the best solution. It is only natural that architects get inspired by nature to create sustainable and innovative buildings. Biomimicry in architecture or Biomimetic Architecture refers to buildings and products that mimic nature in its form or simulate processes inspired by nature. It is a scientific approach that examines nature?s solutions and applies them to human design, to achieve sustainable building design. It covers a wide range of topics related to materials, structural systems, design, and much more in the fields of architecture and engineering.

History

The influence of biomimicry can be traced back to the days of Da Vinci and his sketches for the flying machine; or when the Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi built a thinner and lighter dome for the Florence Cathedral, completed in 1436, by studying the strength of the eggshells. However, the most well-known instance of biomimicry occurred in 1948 when Swiss engineer George de Mestral was walking his dog when it came out of the burr-covered bushes. He created Velcro after looking closely at the burrs’ tiny hooks under a magnifying glass.

Nature-inspired architecture has come a long way from Mestral and can now be used to combat climate change, energy efficiency and biodiversity loss.

Biomimicry vs. Organic Architecture

It can be pretty easy to get confused between Biomimetic and Organic architecture. Biomimetic architecture aims to take inspiration from nature by mimicking its form, process or the entire ecosystem. For example, building a pavilion inspired by biological load-bearing structures that are made of chitin, cellulose, etc. (The BUGA Fibre Pavilion).

Organic architecture strives to create structures that blend with its environment by using natural elements, forms and materials. Most of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright were made with this intention, whose core principle was organic architecture.

Although both practices draw from nature and natural processes in their structures, biomimetic architecture focuses on eco-friendly construction, energy efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. Organic architecture deals with the aesthetics of the structure and how well it blends with its surroundings.

Types of Biomimicry in Architecture

There are three types of biomimicry in architecture.

Form level: Biomimicry at the form level aims to imitate the physical characteristics of nature by incorporating them into the form and fa?ade of the building, like designing aeroplanes by taking inspiration from the form of a bird flying.

Process level: Processes that mimic natural chemical, physical, or biological processes?like how plants photosynthesize to produce renewable energy?are referred to as emulating processes.

Ecosystem level: Ecosystem-level biomimicry studies the relationship between various organisms in an ecosystem and applies them to human interaction.

Examples from Around the World

Take a look at architectural biomimicry examples from around the world that use the best biomimetic practices.

Eastgate Centre, Zimbabwe: Eastgate Centre, designed by Mick Pearce, is a building that uses a ventilation system inspired by termite mounds. The system circulates cool air through underground ducts, mimicking the airflow in termite mounds. This eco-friendly system uses only 10% of energy, making it a comfortable indoor environment without air conditioning. The building also features rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and a green roof.

Biomimetic Office Building, Zurich: Exploration Architects in Zurich have designed the Biomimetic Office Building using the ability of the spook fish to focus images with an inbuilt mirror. The building, inspired by Anthurium, a rainforest plant known for collecting diffuse radiation, offers natural lighting at the desk. The biomimicry in architecture is evident in the design of the building, which combines elements from various species to create a unique and functional office space.

The Eden Project Biomes: The Eden Project, a botanical garden in Cornwall, UK, houses a diverse range of plants using ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), a lightweight, durable material that mimics the protective properties of plant leaves. The garden also uses passive ventilation systems inspired by termite mounds, capturing and storing solar energy to circulate fresh air throughout the building.

The Gherkin, London: The Gherkin, by Norman Foster, features a double-layer glass facade that resembles the Venus flower basket sponge, a deep-sea creature known for its lattice structure and strength. The structure, consisting of two layers of glass separated by a cavity, acts as insulation, reflecting sunlight and reducing solar gain. The unique shape also reduces wind resistance, making the building more energy-efficient and less prone to damage from high winds.

How Architects Can Make Biomimicry a Reality

Biomimicry and biophilia are green building techniques that architects and designers can use to create more sustainable and eco-friendly buildings. One way to incorporate nature into every project is by incorporating natural forms into the design, such as modelling columns after trees or using botanical motifs in wall coverings and textiles.

Another way to incorporate nature into projects is by studying the unique properties of each site, such as the surrounding terrain, sun path, climate, and flora and fauna. By collecting samples, architects can be inspired by nature and the site to create forms they would not have thought of. By understanding how nature solves problems, architects can create buildings that work in harmony with natural systems, such as the atmosphere of the planet and the human body.

Lastly, designers can seek out bio-based materials, such as soy- and hemp-based insulation, which can be engineered to meet specific needs and grown like crops rather than using energy-intensive industrial processes. By growing materials that do the things we need them to do, architects can help avoid and even reverse the climate crisis.

Taking it a step further: Living Architecture

Biomimicry is a subject with loosely defined borders. Dr. Rachel Armstrong, Professor of Experimental Architecture at the University of Newcastle, takes it to the next level by exploring the world of living architecture. According to her, living architecture is the design of structures and buildings that can change, grow, and adapt like natural ecosystems. Using living materials?such as microbial fuel cells, living walls, and bioluminescent algae?in living architecture can help produce electricity, and clean water, and enhance air quality. This technique also integrates concepts from synthetic biology and biotechnology to produce buildings that adapt to the changes in their surroundings and perform self-repair.

Sources

• https://parametric-architecture.com/nature-inspired-design-biomimicry-in-architecture/#:~:text=What%20is%20Biomimicry%20Architecture%3F,creating%20various%20designs%20in%20architecture.
• https://www.archdaily.com/954004/what-is-biomimetic-architecture
• https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/blog/top-10-biomimicry-examples-architecture
• https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a952-10-stunning-examples-of-biomimicry-in-architecture/
• https://www.theoverview.art/biomimicry-in-architecture-examples/
• https://www.ft.com/content/e2041a1e-0d32-11e6-b41f-0beb7e589515
• https://www.autodesk.com/design-make/articles/biomimicry-in-architecture