This document discusses biomimicry and sustainable design principles inspired by nature. It provides examples of buildings and designs that have been inspired by natural organisms, behaviors, and ecosystems to solve human challenges. Some key points made include:
- Biomimicry can be applied at the organism, behavior, and ecosystem levels to inform building designs. Examples of biomimetic designs are provided.
- Sustainable design principles seen in nature include optimizing rather than maximizing resource use, using waste as a resource, and gathering/using energy efficiently.
- The document outlines a framework for sustainable design that involves site and climate analysis, flexible systems, renewable materials, and innovative energy and water systems.
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7. PRINCIPLESOF BIOMIMICRY
โข Nature runs on sunlight.
โข Nature uses only the energy it needs.
โข Nature fits form to function.
โข Nature recycles everything.
โข Nature rewards cooperation.
โข Nature banks on diversity.
โข Nature demands local expertise.
โข Nature curbs excesses from within.
โข Nature taps the power of limits
8. NATURE AS A MODEL
NATURE AS A MEASURE
NATURE AS A MENTOR
9. STEPS TO ADOPT BIOMIMCRY
Develop a design
brief of human
needs
Biologize the
question: ask from
natureโs perspective.
Look for
champions in
nature who solve
the challlenges
Find the
repeating
patterns and
processes
within nature
that achieve
success
Develop ideas
and solutions
based on the
natural model
Evaluate the
design against
Lifeโs Principles
16. Function mimicry at ECOSYSTEM LEVEL
Mithลซn Architects and GreenWorks Landscape
Architecture
Lloyd Crossing Project proposed for Portland,
Oregon.
17. "Sustainable development is development that
meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.โ
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
19. In order to tackle the issue of global climate change two approaches can be adopted:
MITIGATION
ADAPTATION
20. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FRAMEWORK
1. SITE & CLIMATE ANALYSIS: analysing site, orientation, exposure, climate,
topographical factors, local constraints and natural resources
2. FLEXIBLE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS: investigating structural characters,
permanence/temporariness, integration with building components, etc
3. RENEWABLE BUILDING MATERIALS: analysing efficiency of a material or a
product, size, standardization, structural adequacy, complexity,
appropriateness, cost, labour involved, plantation origin, method of growth,
embodied energy, recycled and reused content, toxicity, etc.
4. BUILDING ENVELOPE SYSTEMS: control of energy flows that enter (or leave)
an enclosed volume, including consideration of orientation, seasonal
variations, surrounding environment, function, and typology.
21. 5. MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEMS: construction and assembling methods to
facilitate substitution, repair, maintenance, diversified lifetime, etc.
6. RENEWABLE & NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SYSTEMS: integrating sources
of energy that do not reduce or exhaust their point of origin;
7. INNOVATIVE HVAC SYSTEMS: implementing strategies to provide thermo-
hygrometric and air quality comfort, exploiting mechanically regulated, hybrid,
or, preferably, totally passive techniques;
8. WATER COLLECTION & STORAGE SYSTEMS: adopting methods, system and
strategies to collect, store, distribute, use, recycle and re-use water.
22.
23. EXAMPLE- COUNCIL HOUSE 2
Architecture (CH2), Mick Pearce with DesignInc., 2005
Maximum Six Green Star
rating
24. โDIVERSIFY AND COOPERATE TO FULLY USE THE HABITATโ
Same amount of
foliage on the
building as original
state of site
Harvests
sunlight, cool
night air, water,
wind and rain
Use of natural
convection,
thermal mass,
ventilation
stacks and water
for cooling
26. โUSE WASTE AS RESOURCESโ
Recycled
Untreated
from old
housing
frames
Use waste as amenities
27. โGATHER AND USE ENERGY EFFICIENTLYโ
micro-turbine (co-generation)
lifts ๏ generate power in breaking
mode
solar hot water produced by 48
square metres of solar hot water
panels on roof, supplemented by gas
boiler
solar power (PV cells) : 3.5kW
energy ๏ used to power Western
timber shutters
Gas-fired
micro-
turbine
Electricity
Waste heat Used in A/C
plant
Heating hot
water;
cooling via
absorption
chiller
32. Water
โข 72% reduction in mains water consumption
compared to the existing Council House of similar
size
โข Multi-Water Reuse (MWR) sewer mining plant
โข Sprinkler water reclaim and rainwater collection
Waste
โข building waste during construction was recycled
(87%)
โข recycling carried through within building after
operations ๏ waste separation
โDONโT DRAW DOWN RESOURCESโ
34. Name of building Inspiration
Materials
used
Application in design Problem solved
Level of
Biomimicry
1.Eiffel Tower Thigh bone
Exposed
iron
๏ท The outward flares at base resemble
the upper curved portion of femur.
๏ท The internal wrought iron braces
closely follow design of original
trabeculae within femur.
๏ท Can withstand bending
and shearing effects
due to wind
๏ท Ventilation problem
solved
Organism level
2.Lโinstitute Du
Monte Arabe
Iris of eye
Steel, glass
&
Aluminium
Cladded with screens with automated lens to
control light
Controls the amount of
sunlight entering the
building, keeping it cool and
flooding room with natural
light.
Organism level
3.Waterloo
International
Terminal
Pangolin
Steel &
glass
The glass panel fixing that makes up the
structure mimic the flexible scale
arrangement of Pangolin.
Ability to move in response
to the imposed air pressure
forces when trains enter and
depart.
Organism level
4. Eastgate Centre,
Harare
Termite
mound
Concrete
๏ท The building is designed with a unique
ventilation system, which draws
outside air and cools or warms it
depending on temperature.
๏ท The central open space draws more air
with help of fans and is pushed up
through ducts located in the central
spine of the buildings,
Temperature remains
regulated all year around
without using conventional
air-conditioning or heating
systems.
Behaviour level
35. Name of building
Inspiratio
n
Materials
used
Application in design Problem solved
Level of
Biomimicry
5.Beijing
National Stadium
Birdโs nest
Steel,
ETFE
โCushion systemโ adopted where faรงade is
in-filled with translucent ETFE panels just
like a nest is insulated by small pieces of
material.
๏ท Protects spectators
from elements
๏ท Provides acoustic
insulation,
๏ท Reduces maintenance
cost
๏ท Reduces dead load,
๏ท Filters sun rays
Behaviour Level
6. Council House
2, Melbourne
Termite
mound
Concrete,
recycled
timber
๏ท CH2 uses ventilation strategy similar
to termite mould using natural
convention, ventilation stacks,
thermal mass, phase change material
and water for cooling
๏ท The faรงade is composed of dermis
and epidermis, which provides
microclimate
๏ท Ventilation stacks are implemented
on the north and south facades of the
building
๏ท The ceilings are wavy shaped to
optimise surface area to increase
thermal mass capacity
๏ท The west faรงade is covered with
system of timber louvers to optimize
the penetration of natural light and
views.
๏ท The epidermis provides
primary sun and glare
control while creating
a semi-closed micro-
environment.
๏ท The wavy design helps
it efficient collection
and channelling out of
heated air.
๏ท The vaulted ceiling also
allow more filtration of
natural light to the
deeper parts of the
space.
๏ท Shower towers provide
a reduction of 4-13
degrees C from the top
of the tower to the
bottom.
Behaviour level
36. Name of
building
Inspiration
Materials
used
Application in design Problem solved
Level of
Biomimicry
7. Sinosteel
International
Plaza
Bee hive
Concrete,
steel and
glass
The windows are designed in five different
sizes of hexagon, placed in an energy-
efficient configuration.
๏ท Minimum possible
energy used in the
form of conventional
energy.
๏ท The skin removes the
need for internal
structures
Organism level
8. Habitat 2020
Stomata of
leaves
Designed as
living skin
๏ท The exterior designs as living skin
which serves connection between
exterior and interior, like stomata on
leaf surface.
๏ท The surface automatically positions
itself according to the sunlight and let
it in
๏ท Surface absorbs water and converts
waste to biogas energy
๏ท Electricity not
required during day
๏ท Air and wind filtered
to provide clean air
and natural air
conditioned
๏ท Recycling of water air
and waste
Organism level
9. Rafflesia
House
Rafflesia
flower
Tensile
environment
ally friendly
fabric
๏ท The building sits on 12 columns to
allow other species to develop around
it, trying to change traditional
definitions of its characteristics.
๏ท Concave and convex internal walls to
regulate flow of air inside.
Effective air conditioning at
independent zones Behaviour level
10. National
Aquatics Centre,
Beijing
Water
bubbles
Steel,
ETFE
The surface is covered with membrane of lit
blue bubbles or pneumatic cushions made of
EFTE creating bubble effect
The bubbles collect solar
energy to heat swimming
pools.
Temperature regulation
Organism
level
37. Name of building Inspiration
Material
s used
Application in design Problem solved
Level of
Biomimicry
11. Swiss Re
Headquarters,
London
Glass sponge
Steel &
glass
๏ท Using a series of triangulations
on the exterior similar to those
of a glass sponge
๏ท The building ventilates air in a
similar fashion just like glass
sponge filters nutrients from the
water by sucking water from its
base and expelling it through the
holes at its top
๏ท Its aerodynamic, Glazed shape
minimizes wind loads and
maximizes natural light and
ventilation, reducing the building's
energy consumption
๏ท Triangulations on the exterior
similar to those of a glass sponge
makes the structure stiff enough to
resist lateral structural loads
without extra reinforcements.
Organism level
12.Treescraper
Tower of
Tomorrow
Growing of
tree
Steel &
glass
๏ท The southern faรงade would be
made of photovoltaic panels that
convert sunlight into electricity.
๏ท A combined heat-and-power
plant installed, to be fuelled by
natural gas, to supply the power
that the solar panels cannot.
๏ท It uses minimal construction
materials, while making maximum
use of the enclosed space.
๏ท All of the water in the building is
recycled.
๏ท All products, from building
materials to furnishings, could be
recycled or returned safely to the
earth
Behaviour level
13. Ministry of
Municipal and
Agriculture
Cactus plant
Steel &
glass
Sun shades on the windows can be
opened or closed to suit the prevailing
temperature , mimicking the activity of
the cactus which performs
transpiration at night rather than
during the day in order to retain water.
๏ท Temperature regulated.
๏ท Absorption and loss of heat
controlled.
Behaviour level
38. โขBuilding inspired by plants /flower:
๏ผSelf-sustainable
๏ผEnergy efficient
๏ผRecycling
๏ผAesthetically appealing
๏ผLow maintenance
โขBuilding inspired by organisms:
๏ผResistant to imposed forces
๏ผStructural stability
๏ผControlled entry of sunlight
๏ผRegulation of internal temperature
๏ผAesthetics
๏ผAcoustics
โขBuildings inspired by natural forms:
๏ผ Effective channelling of wind
๏ผ Increase thermal mass capacity
๏ผ Dynamic form
๏ผ Acoustics.
๏ผ Energy efficiency
40. INDUSTRIAL BUILDING DESIGN
โข Large & clear unobstructed areas
โข Proper lighting ( Natural and Artificial)
โข Ventilation
โข Acoustical treatment
โข Energy-efficiency
โข Triangulated exoskeleton or
frame inspired from glass
sponge, thigh bone ,beehive
etc. or
โข load distribution& long span
inspired by water lily or
dragon fly wings
โข Louvers, living skin which
can regulate entry of
daylight inspired from
stomata of leave or
โข Iris of eye
โข Cushion effect of Birds nest,
ventilation mechanism of
termite moulds,
โข Curved walls ceilings for
channelling air.
โข Cushion effect of Birds nest,
two layer skin( dermis and
epidermis) to act as sound
buffer or insulation
โข A system which utilises
resources available locally
with minimum embedded
energy and recycles to
maximum like growth of
tree or
โข emulate natural forms like
termite mound for passive
systems to reduce cost and
energy consumption.
41. CONCLUSION
To echo, listen, steward and immerse in nature
Biomimicry presents itself as a basis, a foundation of a new research methodology instead of
mere serendipity. Biomimicry has to be approached in a multi-disciplinary order of thought in
order to understand the principles of nature to achieve a holistic design solution.