Biomimetic Architecture
Form, adaptivity, self-sustaining loops
In another life I might have been an architect. I love the idea of combining engineering and technical design with artistic sensibilities. AND the need to put it all into context and situatedness. AND the necessity of practical, purposeful use. AND the historical quasi-permanence of built public and private spaces. AND the challenge to find and use resources responsibly.
The problem of sustainable architecture appeals to my generalist search for an adequate Anthropocene anthropology.
Applications of biomimicry to architecture are thus a ripe field for study and research. This article from Art in Context is a gem, both pictorially and for the quality of information provided.
What Is Biomimicry Architecture?
Biomimicry architecture emerges as a discipline that bridges the gap between biology and architecture. At its core, it involves the study of nature’s models, systems, and elements to solve complex human problems. By observing and understanding the principles that organisms have developed over millennia, architects and designers create buildings that are sustainable, efficient, and innovative. This approach to architectural design seeks to not only emulate the form but also to understand and apply the underlying strategies that nature employs. This field of architecture looks beyond superficial aesthetic mimicry, delving into the application of natural strategies to building design.
I particularly like this analytical breakdown in terms of three categories of influence from biology to architecture (my emphasis):
Organism Level
At the organism level, biomimicry involves emulating specific biological forms from nature. Architects might incorporate shapes and structures seen in animals and plants into the design of buildings. For example, the structural efficiency of a honeycomb has inspired lightweight yet strong building materials.
Behavior Level
The behavior level of biomimicry examines how organisms act or react to achieve efficiency and adaptability. This might translate into architecture through adaptive building systems that respond to environmental changes, akin to how a sunflower tracks the sun to optimize photosynthesis.
Ecosystem Level
Finally, the ecosystem level looks at the complex interrelationships within ecosystems to inspire sustainable and self-sufficient designs. Architects may design buildings that mimic the cyclical energy and waste systems found in nature, leading to closed-loop processes that minimize environmental impact.
The article continues with a look at technical principles and materials, then concludes with a short list of famous design examples. Recommended.
Love this. New goal: biomimicry house. Why stop at solar?