Biomimicry Studies

1. A3.1 / Products
Reflecting Life’s Principles
John Longchamps | Biomimetic Design | MCAD | Summer 2015
Principle: Fitting Form to Function
Design: Paperclip
How the Principle is Reflected in the Design:
How this Principle Contributes to
the Sustainability of the Design
Paperclips are an example of fitting form to function that are difficult
to parallel in terms of sheer conceptual elegance and simplicity.
Every bit of material used in the design is for the purpose of
providing the function of clamping sheets of paper together. There
is no extraneous design detail whatsoever, and in that sense the
paperclip is an example of functional purity by way of fitting form to
function.
Since there are no extraneous design details or
more-than-necessary materials used, the paperclip represents an
excellent case study in optimized material utilization. The utility
derived from the smart use of a small amount of material presents
an excellent benchmark for how to do more with less.
image: www.ogdenphotographics.com

2. A3.1 / Products
Reflecting Life’s Principles
John Longchamps | Biomimetic Design | MCAD | Summer 2015
Principle: Shape Rather than Material
Design: Wind Turbines
How the Principle is Reflected in the Design:
How this Principle Contributes to
the Sustainability of the Design
The shape of the blades is what allows for the interfacing with the
wind to create force which is capitalized within the turbine.
This principle contributes to the sustainability of the design because
it allows for exploring various shapes and sizes for blades to yield
optimal translation of force. in other words, different shaped blades
have different efficiencies, and can bolster turbine efficacy on shape
alone.
image: www.ogdenphotographics.com
image: www.abb-conversations.com

3. A3.1 / Products
Reflecting Life’s Principles
John Longchamps | Biomimetic Design | MCAD | Summer 2015
Principle: Simple Common Building Blocks
Design: Railroad System (Tracks)
How the Principle is Reflected in the Design:
How this Principle Contributes to
the Sustainability of the Design
The modular and common nature of train tracks is what allows for
an extensive network of train lines to exist. The trains rely on
similarity in the tracks in order to move seamlessly from one station
to another. The common building blocks (rails) mean that trains
never have to change wheel-type - or go off-track,
The modular, simple, and common design of the train tracks allows
for cost and resource efficiencies when laying and repairing train
lines, and in this way contributes to sustainability.
image: www.ogdenphotographics.com
image: www.bloomberg.com