I became interested in Biomimicry in 2008. The possibilities of developing innovative concepts and products based in Biomimicry is immense. And this does not apply only to the Architecture / Construction fields but to many other areas. The research that is being done in Biomimicry is fascinating and it’s also progressing very quickly. But first lets look at what is Biomimicry.
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a new discipline that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example.
Biomimicry looks at nature as model, measure, and mentor.
Nature as model: Nature models are studied and then its forms, process, systems, and strategies are emulated to solve human problems.
Nature as measure: After 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature has learned what works and what lasts. Nature as measure is captured in Life’s Principles and is embedded in the evaluate step of the Biomimicry Design Spiral (see image below).
Nature as mentor: What can we learn from the natural world? Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing nature.
The Challenge to Biology Design Spiral – © 2009 Biomimicry Guild
The Biomimicry Guild and its collaborators have developed a practical design tool, called the Biomimicry Design Spiral, for using nature as model.
How does Biomimicry relate with Architecture?
The answer is simple. Biomimicry is a fantastic and under-explored tool for sustainable architectural design. Nature can teach us about forms, processes, systems, and strategies. By learning about how nature manages to solve its problems, great solutions can be explored for our built environment.
Architect Michael Pawlyn has been exploring biomimicry for some time. His book Biomimicry in Architecture demonstrates how biomimicry offers architects a whole new system to design by.
The Eden Project Biomes
How can architects build a new sustainable world inspired by biomimicry?
By learning from nature!
Isabel Barros
Featured image by STO Corp. Lotusan collage – © The Biomimicry Institute.
