An Introductory Lecture on Bionic Architecture for my M. Arch PPt

1. M-Arch 103
Contemporary Architecture: Trends &
Theories
BY- Ar. Manav Mahajan

2. Methodology
 Introduction
 Need for Biomimicry
 3 levels of bionic
 Modelling and pattern detection
 Approaches to bionic practices
 Process of biomimicry
 Categories of biomimicry

3. Introduction
 Bionic also called biometric or creative
biological engineering
 It is the collection of biological methods
and systems existing in nature used in
engineering and new technology.
 Beside bionic, the word of biomimix is
also proposed.
 This word first was invented and used in
1950 by Otto Schmitt when working on
an astronomer project in Right Peterson
aerial station in USA. They recognize
the bionic as the science of systems
based on living creatures.

4. Introduction
 There are lots of modeling by human from
nature during the history of life.
 But the first scientific projects in this
context were done by Leonardo Da Vinci.
He was trying to build a flying machine by
studying the birds while flying.
 Although he couldn’t success but his trying
were known as the first biometric studies
around the world.

5. Introduction
 Janine M. Benyus, a
scientific observer
from Montanna and an
americal writer coined
the term BIOMIMICRY
 She wrote the book “
Biomimicry: an
innovation inspired by
nature” in 1997

6. Need for BIO-mimicry
 Us
○ Linear
○ Centralized
○ Individualistic
○ Independent
○ Inflexible
○ Singular
 Nature
○ Interwined
○ Decentralized
○ Cooperative
○ Interdependent
○ Adaptive
○ Redundant
•“Us” vs “Nature” skill test paramenters

7. Our Reportcard
 Depleted natural resources
 Habitat loss
 Climate change
 Endangered/extinct species
 Persistent bioaccumulative toxins
 Dependence on petroleum
 Problems

8. Nature’s Reportcard
 Alternate resource generation
 Symbiotic growth
 Ability to stop the collapse of any system
 Recover or regeneration ability

9. 3 levels of Bionic
 Imitation from the natural producing methods
 Imitation from the mechanisms existed in nature
 Study of organized principles based on social
behavior and organisms.

10. Modeling and pattern
detection
 Patterns conclude a completed schema and responding
which has general pervasive aspects
 It is free of any temporal or spatial limitations
 The main feature of pattern is refusing to try and
performing the activity and using less time and energy.
 In a pattern detector’s or pattern maker’s point of view,
any phenomenon contains lessons and ideas to solve
half of the problem.
 Pattern detector thought’ knowing the structure and
parts and the way they are connected and their type of
connection with the external world and discipline which
cohesion all technologies in structure
 A pattern detector mind is full of same subjects as
universal structures, changing models, the life style of
ants and honey bees, stability and flexibility of tree
structures facing different strengths such as wind and
earthquake, the style of nest building on trees by birds.

11.  Modeling forms and structure of nature to design
buildings any invention was rooted from human
thought approached by unconscious source of
natural talent.
 Architectural from and operation of nature is the
process that we understand it as inceptions and
growth by instinct.
 One of the first usages of natural inceptions to
innovation in architecture is seen in the second half
of the nineteenth century. English experts for the
first time in 1846 successfully planted a type of
Lotus that the diameter of its leaves would reach to
2 meters. Paxton, the English descent architect,
after observing the strengths of this Lotus leaves
started to study circular shelving and radial
structure.
 The result of this research was the invention of a
new structure for light glass ceilings. The crystal
palace in London Global Exhibition in 1851 captured
the critics.

12. Approaches to bionic
practice

13. Design to Biology
 No new technological
advancements but
improvement made to
existing technology

14. Biology to Design
 A previously un-thought
system or technology that
can be adapted from the
work of nature.
A beehive inspired vertical
farm in London as a
community living project
cum farming solution

15. PRINCIPLES
NATURE BIONIC
 Runs on sunlight
 Uses only the energy it
needs
 Fits FORM to FUNCTION
 Recycles everything
 Rewards co-operation
 Banks on diversity
 Demands local expertise
 Curbs excesses within
 Taps the power of limits
 Climate responsive
 Use only the energy it
needs
 FORM and FUNCTION
fits well
 Nature as a model
 Nature as a measure
 Nature as a mentor
 Optimum use and
expense of energy
 Site responsive

16. Process of Biomimicry

17. Categories of Biomimicry
The scale of selection to the parametric
approach while deriving a pattern for the use
can be chosen at any tier:
 Organism
 Behaviour
 Ecosystem

29. Case Study

30. Seoul’s Floating Terminal
 Designed by a Belgian ecological
architect Vincent Callebaut
 His work is known for futuristic-like ecodistrict
designs that places an emphasis on
sustainability.
 Its an experimental landscape design that
aims to restore the natural environment in
Seoul, South Korea.

39. Case Study