REACHING SUSTAINABILITY BY IMITATING NATURE

ABSTRACT

Can cities behave like Nature...???

Sustainability has always been an aim for any development to ensure our existence on the Earth. In
early ages, finding shelter in caves and eating animals, sustained human life. Later agriculture and
shelter became essential feature to provide sustainability. Gradually our activities changed and the
changing “needs” transformed into “wants”. Endless wants exploited more and more resources to
fulfill our requirements. Each product was accompanied by its by-product or waste.
The paper attempts to study the efforts made to achieve nature like urban development, by
introducing the concept of biomimicry and evolving thoughts to act like nature, by producing
energy from renewable sources, optimization of transport system and services and efficient waste
disposal and treatment.

Janine.M. Benyus in 1997, created.field.of subject called Biomimicry (also known as biomimetics)
that combined.engineering and biology, which made.humans again look back into nature for
solutions.

Even.though Biomimicry is a rather new field of subject it is very likely to have a great impact on
our.society in the future, as a new way of.thinking bringing forward a sustainable solution
harmonizing with nature, as a result the,solutions in those projects they participate.in are moving
humanity closer,to Nature.

Through.biomimicry humans have.achieved miracles in Architecture.and Design. Buildings,have

achieved great efficiency in energy by application of biomimicry. Sustainability, (in the usage of
energy and resources) is a key for satisfying the human needs and comfort. Biomimetic approach
to design is seem to be an opportunity to bring nature work into design in a systematic way.

The study explores and analyses the process involved in achieving sustainable biomimetic,design
from the perspective,of 3 main parameters Aesthetics, efficiency and economic. The main aim is
define the research,to explore the different process involved and how it deals,with design factors of
projects.

1
INTRODUCTION

Nature is the most important part of life, without which a human cannot survive. The word Nature
is derived from the Latin word ‘Natura’ which means birth. What Nature can deliver? For
Example, Spider web which is the strongest fiber ever made in the world. Scientists tried to create
the strongest fiber which is still not as strong as spider silk and manufacturing of that fiber results
lots of energy usage, pollution, etc which spider can produce from the waste left out from the dead
insects. In the same way, Fire beetle which is capable of detecting fire from 80 m range. When
compared to the scale of detection, it is million times when compared to manmade technologies.
(Micheal Pawlyn,2011)

But the increased population and human scale have unknown consequences for the balance of
systems on the species and our own. As the population is being increased, the amount of usage of
resources is increased. For shelter and living propose humans started to cut-off trees which resulted
in deforestation and also excessive use and wastage of resources. Cities are growing day by day
and which results in the depletion of trees, forests (i.e. nature). Because of which so many animal
and plant species are under extinction. Over the past million years, so many species are extinct
because of humans which results in collapsing the systems of nature. (Climate change (IPCC),
2007)
Nature recycles and reuses most of the resources. In the same way, we should recycle and reuse the
materials and natural resources from nature. We can’t regulate everything happening surrounding
us, at least as a person with an architecture background, we should design the building which will
be cost-efficient, energy-efficient, resource-efficient and sustainable design. (Lehni,2001)
Everything in this world is evolving day by day and the process of evolution and resulting
adaptations have allowed life to sustain itself for a millennium. Architecture design has grown out
of the need for shelter and expression and today, the adaptations in building designs and building
technologies and strategies help us to achieve high levels of comfort in any climate.(Janine
M.Benyus, 1997)
Every organism in the world will grow, feed and reproduce. When the species first formed, they
might not be in a Sustainable with nature. Over the Last Million years, every living species
evolved in its way according to the climate, living conditions to achieve the best sustainable living.
While every living species is evolving to have a sustainable living system, Imitating natures ideas
helps in changing the potential of the rate of work, effectivity, comfort, Production etc.(Janine
M.Benyus, 1997) But the main question is that architects started inspiring from nature, but how
they are achieving the efficiency and sustainability? So the main question which we are a focus on
is
“What is the process involved in achieving Biomimetic Design?”

2
CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY:
Sustainable development is defined as

“Development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs ”
Built forms contribute to the impact of development on global ecosystems. It is therefore,
important to study the impact of built forms on the totality of the environment. One should take
care of it at various stages of development. Developments should be facilitated taking into
consideration the entirety of the systems; resource, energy and transport, waster etc. and
population of the Nation, along with the specific characteristics of the region being developed.
Sustainable development describes the fact that we receive what we need, from the nature; it also
talks about mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation of the toxic, greenhouse gases like CO: which
saves environment, and adaptation of the future context with climate change and other challenges.
Sustainable development, then, is afar sighted positive response to awareness that everything wc
need is received from nature, not a prescriptive formula just for our survival. In other words, the
goal of sustainable design is to find development solutions that warrant the well-being and
coexistence of constituent groups. Therefore, a conceptual approach to framework is to be
developed in order to meet the goal of well - being and coexistence in an effort to attain
sustainability. These relate to the environmental responsibilities, creating environmental
awareness, explaining the building ecosystem and designing sustainable built forms for future.
In early human history, the use of fire and desire for specific foods may have altered tjjc natural
composition of plant and animal communitics(Scholars, 2003).Bctwcen 8,000 and 10,000 years
ago. Agrarian communities emerged which depended largely on their environment and the
creation of a "structure of pcrmancnccfClaritc. l977)Since then whole globe is trying to achieve
sustainability to ensure their existence. But it seems harder we are trying to achieve sustainability
the tougher it is becoming to achieve it. There arc number of such planning and development
failures all over the world which challenge to handle the situation prevailing. Not to go any far to
recall our own cities and their problems will make picture clear. Starting from resources, such as
water, electricity, transport, social infrastructure and environmental quality etc. people are not
satisfied with the living conditions.
Thus in search of sustainability' wc need to take a pause and think, where actually our blind short
term solutions are leading us to. Wc need to go to our basics; basics of what actually we are, and
where we are heading towards.
The answer is wc are just a negligible contribution to nature, to which everything belongs. Wc
simply forgot our nest to which wc belong, and knowingly or unknowingly wc started damaging
our own home, our shelter, and our living conditions. We need to evolve a new concept so as to
develop better understanding of whole process.

3
 WHY BIOMIMICRY ?
Biomimicry looks to nature and natural systems for inspiration. After millions of years of
tinkering. Nature has worked out some effective processes. In nature, there is no such thing as
waste — anything left over from one animal or plant is food for another species. Inefficiency
doesn't last long in nature, existence of fittest is truth. Our experiences account only for few
thousands of years but that of nature is 4.5 billion years. Thus continuous process to achieve belter
and sustainable nature is what we have as an experience to leam.(Dr. Abraham George, 2011)
A very different approach to look at this (process of development in nature) is its simple example
of Homosapicn's development. At one point when it became difficult for our four footed ancestors
to survive, gradually modification took place and two limbs were made free to protect, to attack, to
hold, to construct etc. and like this nature was proving herself best or perfect again.
Relationship of human being with nature can be evidenced since ancient times. Rituals which they
used to perform were ecologically symbolic and related.

HOW IT WORKS
At very basic level
Observing nature and then connecting to existing technology or problem. Observing nature’s
any phenomenon and getting inspired by that, finally mimicking to attain product based on
same principles. Example Lotus paint, swimsuit etc.(Bcnyus J. M, 2002)

VENTILATION

TERMITE MOUND

“The ,natural habitat of termites is the mound that they build which just looks like a pile of dirt from
outside. These mounds can go up to 30m” diameter and also 10-15m in height. The structure of the
mound is- very complex which has an outer wall riddled with holes and lots of shafts or tunnels that
themselves lead to a series of chimneys that helps in ventilation”.The termites_live in a hemi-spherical
oval nest under the mound”

4
THERMOREGULATION

NEST OF HUMMING BIRDS

“The nest of humming bird that is built in warm and cold regions. The one in warm regions have a shallow
nest without a lining of feather that maintains a comparatively low temperature within the structure as
compared to outer temperature, whereas in case of the nest of humming bird in cold regions, the nest is
deep with thick walls lines with feathers. The feather lining keeps it warm in the inner part as compared to
the outside conditions. The absence of feather lining in the one in warm region keeps it cooler inside”

STRUCTURE

HONEY COMB

The structure of honey comb is such that it requires minimum amount of wax to store honey. The
hexagonal cells are arranged in such a way that each wall for two cells and hence the amount of
wax used in making a honeycomb is minimized with a good capacity of the honeycomb to hold the
honey. Such arrangements can be used for creating spaces for humans. Not only this will reduce
the cost of the construction, but also the area required and provide with large amount of usable
space

5
 LITERATURE REVIEW
The biomimetic approach to design is given as a important source of adaption to achieve the main three
parameters of building – Aesthetics, efficiency and economy. The main important question is that how
to integrate these parameters into buildings. Integrating all these factors in a sustainable, efficient is the
difficult part. The most promising source of inspiration for such design solutions is nature. Nature has
endless wealth of examples will give humans solutions to all their problems. These study is concerned
with some of the design solutions like thermoregulation, water management & drainage, Ventilation
and some of the structural systems. If we just started looking at the surroundings, we will experience
something new through nature. Architecture has a lot to get from nature. The systems in nature,
architecture in animal kingdom and the forms in nature are a great source of inspiration for architects to
build in an efficient and economic manner to achieve strength, comfortable living conditions and
aesthetic appeal. These books are also confined with some of the design solutions that are adapted and
imitated from nature.

Forms and structures found in nature are designed in a efficient manner. They use the minimum
amount and provide maximum space and structural strength. These natural forms and shapes area result
of adaption to the physical forces over a long period of time so that they respond to these forces in a
very efficient manner. The structure of honey comb is such that it requires minimum amount of wax to
store honey. The hexagonal cells are arranged in such a way that each wall for two cells and hence the
amount of wax used in making a honeycomb is minimized with a good capacity of the honeycomb to
hold the honey. Such arrangements can be used for creating spaces for humans. Not only this will
reduce the cost of the construction, but also the area required and provide with large amount of usable
space.

The achievements that some animals or birds are able to achieve in terms of services are remarkable
and have a lot of humans to learn and understand so that they can improve their living conditions and
reduce the energy spent in artificially creating comfortable habitable conditions.

In the similar manner, efficiency in maintaining temperature and ambient living conditions is shown by
termites in their mounds. Their efficiency in thermoregulation is considered the best one in nature.
They can achieve this thermoregulation by means of ventilation and reducing heat gain. Heat gain is
reduced by orienting the mound in such a way that minimum amount of sunlight falls on the mound.
Similar to the design of their mound as was seen in the eastgate building at Harare where the building
maintains temperature by means of ventilation and reduction of heat gain and increased heat loss
during the night. The concept is not very difficult to apply in designs today. This will not only reduce
the running cost of the building to a great extent but also save a lot of energy spent on thermoregulation
of the building.

6
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BASED ON BIOMIMICRY
CONCEPT
Together. with. dynamics of ,change, population pressure, and land speculation, the resultant built
form of Indian cities, today is complex, unstructured and chaotic. It no more reflects a rational
response and ambient to its environmental context. The situation is reaching a crises stage and a
sustainable and ecological ,relationship with built form is missing in coming settlements. Harmony
or environmental balance has no meaning in blindly coming up developments and production.
There is” complete disintegration and fragmentation at all levels: individual, social, physical, and
environmental, not only locally but at global scale. Thus while planning for any settlement or
urban development every individual, their activities, which includes their consumption of
resources/requirements to distribution of same till waste generation, are to be smoothly governed”.
Now the, whole process starting from utilization of resources to generation of waste depends on
the users. As many users are there, resources required and waste generation will also be in same,
proportion. Here resources which” are limited should define the size of population to which it can
serve.
“Size” here signifies the population, their requirements (based on their social and economic
activities), and the size of unwanted elements which will be produced. For existence of any “living
organism it is mandatory that what all it needs, should be present in its surroundings”. When
context comes over to human beings, their settlements, then the requirements are the resources
such as” water, energy', transport, economy, pollution free environment” etc. Straight away
question comes that, what “size” of population will require how much “size” or resources? The
primary step then becomes whether that context has” potential to fulfill their resource
requirement??? This can be better understood by terms carrying capacity and human load”.

7
 CASE STUDIES
Baha ‘I’ Temple (LOTUS TEMPLE)

Architect: Fariborz Sahba

Lotus flower is mimicked

BEHAVIOUR

In this project, the design itself should act as a temple for all religions. The challenge for the
architect, Fariborz Sahba was to have a concept that would be acceptable to the people of all
religions and also would fit into the Indian context. With some research, architect Faroborz Sahba
came up with the concept of lotus flower for his design because of its importance in Hindu religion
and also Buddhists. Lotus flower is choosed, as it is also the national flower of India”

 The challenge for the architect, Fariborz Sahba was to have a concept that would be acceptable to
the people of all religions and also would fit into the Indian context. (National spiritual assembly
of baha ‘I if India,2011)

 Biological Solution research

 With some research, architect Faroborz Sahba came up with the concept of lotus flower for his
design because of its importance in Hindu religion and also Buddhists. Lotus flower is choosed, as
it is also the national flower of India.(National spiritual assembly of baha ‘I of India,2011)

 Principle Application

 “Like the form, the structure of the temple too has been inspired from the nature. The structure of
the building is inspired from the shells.”
 The structure consists of 27 giant marble petals. The structure can be entered through nine bridges
which are running over the nine ponds leading the nine entrances.
 “The inner nine petals form nine entrances to the worship hall. These petals are separated at top
which slightly looks like a bud. The opening is covered with glass which allows natural light.”
 The shells of the inner petals are supported by 9 radial beams mainly resting on the arches.
(National spiritual assembly of baha ‘I if India,2011).

SUSTAINABLE OUTCOME

 Buildings, acts, as, a chimney

 -The dominant hall of the temple is planned to function as a chimney, with openings at top ,and
bottom (stack affect).The ensures a continous drought of cool air to, pass over the pools in
basement and hall.”

8
 Cool air (heavy) is” drawn from the bottom” openings and hot air (light) is emitted out from the
top.The process. is reversed in humid days.
 The natural” gradient of land is used in construction” of certain large basement at the level of
pools. “The floor of audit oorium is lowered by five steps so that they act as louvers for cool air
entrance.
 Two sets of exhaust fans complement this whole system.
 Calibri (Body)The ineer hall which acts as a whole skylight is copying the process of
photosynthesis just as a plant take in food to get energy, gives the idea to the building to take in
light and sublime for enlightment.

9
EASTGATE BUILDING ZIMBAWE

ARCHITECT : Architect mick Pearce

ORGANISM MIMICKED : A TERMITE MOUND

BEHAVIOUR

 “Termites in Zimbabwe build gigantic mounds inside of which they farm a fungus that is their
primary food source. The fungus must be kept at exactly 87 degrees F, while the temp. outside
range from 35 degree F at night to 104 degree F during the day.”
 The termite achieve this remarkable feat by cocstantly opening and closing a series of heating and
coolingvents throughout the mound over the course of the day.
 With a system of carefully adjusted convection currents,air is sucked in at the lower part of the
mound, down into enclousers with muddy walls,and up through the channel to the peak of the
termite mound.
 The termite constantly dig new vents and plug up old ones in order to regulates the temp.

SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES

 He east gate centre, largely made of concrete, ha a ventilation system which operated in a similar
way.
 Outside air that is drawn in is either warmed or cooled by the building mass depending on which is
hotter, the building concrete or the air. It is then vented into the buildings floors and offices before
existing via chimney at the top.
 The complex also consist of two buildings side by that are separated by an open,space that is
covered by glass and open to the local breezes. The $35 million building saved 10% on costs up-
front by not purchasing an air-conditioning system. Rents are less expensive in this building compared to nearby
buildings.

10
THE EDEN PROJECT

Architect: Nicolas Grimsha

BEHAVIOUR

 The thing they have concentrated on maximizing the size of Hexagon and to do that they have find
an alternative to glass, which is really limited In terms of its unit sizes. And in Nature there are lots
of examples of very efficient
 structures based on pressurized membranes. So, they came up with material alternative ETFE
which is high strength polymer. They have started putting that in 3 layers, welded it around the
edge and then inflated it. The interesting part in this material is that we can make In units which
will be roughly seven times the size of glass, and it is only 1% of the weight of double-glazing.
Through this they have factor of 100 saving. By integrating these, they have achieved so much
indirectly. Due to the less usage of steel, with less steel they are getting more sunlight in which
meant that they didn’t have to put as much extra heat in winter and with less overall weight in
superstructure there were big savings in the foundations. (sustainablebuild)

 SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES

 They have resolved the structure accordingly with respect to form. They used ETFE which will
allow natural light and it is too lightweight when compared to glass. By using ETFE material in
place of glass, they have achieved span 7 times when compared to the glass with steel structure.
(Stefin, 2011)

 They have already the created the form with respect to site through Soap Bubble. The Steel
Structure with ETFE panels used for large span and efficient lighting with the help of Pollen
Grains and Radiolaria.

At the end of the project they have worked out that the weight of superstructure is actually less
than the weight of air inside the building. Eden project is one of the good example showing how
the ideas of biology can lead to radical increase in resource efficiency delivering the same function
but only with a fraction of the resource input. (suatainablebuild)

11
 COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS

FINDINGS

 Its is seen that the orgaism is not fully mimicked in all cases.
 In case of lotuds temple only the form is mimicked but it is following the behavior as that of ant
mound
 In case of East gate building, the building only function likes an aunt mound so as to gain cooling
and protected overall buildingenergy
 It is seen that sustainable methods like adaptive cooling,temp. regulation, natural ventilation can
be adopted in our buildiom nature.ngs directly or indirectly.

12
 ANALYSIS

 It is not necessary to wholly mimic an organism .It can be possible that function of other organism
and form of another organism both can be worked together.
 Hence, biomimicry is followed but it is not essential that the behavior or process should also be
same as that of an organism.
 The purpose of applying biomimicry in a building is giveving us a sustainable outcome and this
can be gained by applying biomimicry at any level.
 In todays world where the connection B/W man and nature is lost. Climate change,extreme
whether conditions, water scarcity etc are happening.Biomimicry can be seen as an alternative
approach to sustainability.

CONCLUSION

Buildings are always judged on three main parameters – aesthetics, efficiency and economy. Most
of the buildings do not stand well in all the parameters stated. So, the question is that how can
these parameters can be integrated in a building. To achieve these parameters, we need innovative
thought process and efficient source of inspiration for design. The best source of inspirations for
design solutions is nature. Nature has endless source of examples where humans can learn and
improve their living conditions.

Forms and structures in nature are designed in a very efficient manner. They use minimum amount
of material and provide maximum space and structural strength. The natural forms and shapes are
result of adaptation to the physical forces over a long period of time, so that they respond to these
forces in a very efficient manner.

Imitating from nature and integrating into design just don’t give us the efficiency, process involved
in imitating and integrating takes the major part. Starting from the Site study, we will find pros and
cons. Sometimes we can neglect cons, they might be negligible part in context of design. But
sometimes cons are major part, which we have start our design in the process of resolving those
problems. This is where we will see the type of approach involved problem based or solution
based. In case of solution based, they will what should be their final factor which they should
achieve i.e. efficiency or aesthetics and process of design conceptualization starts in achieving the
desired solution. Architects might follow whatever process they want but finally if the parameters
they are trying to achieve are same, then they are going to face the same factors. Final design
product may not be same but the level of efficiency might be almost same.

13
8.2 METHODS TO ACHIEVE ENERGY CONSERVATION

1 Choices of materials and construction methods are important to reduce energy consumption of a
building through reduced solar heat gain or loss, thus reducing air-conditioning loads Choosing
materials with low embodied energy will help to reduce energy consumed through mining,
processing, manufacturing and transporting the materials For instance, aluminium has a very high
embodied energy because of the large amount of electricity consumed to mine the raw material
True low energy building design will consider this important aspect and take a broader life cycle
approach to energy assessment

2 Insulating the building envlope is the most important of all energy conservation measures
because it has the greatest impact on energy expenditure A well designed and installed insulation
can reduce the amount of heat lost through the building envelope by at least half. Draughts and
heat loss will be eliminated with an air-tightness strategy, where existing vents and chimneys will
be blocked, floors and ceilings will be insulated, and walls will be coated with modified plaster
Heat recovery in high temperature areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, will achieve optimum
energy efficiency through a mechanical ventilation unit that takes heat from these areas and uses it
elsewhere in the house

3 Designing for low energy Intensive transportation reduces emissions causing pollution by
affecting the amount of fuel used The reduction of energy consumption in buildings has little
impact on the national energy consumption if the urban and rural transportation systems waste
energy. An efficient community layout that places schools, shops, and other services close to
homes and business, making it easy to get places without driving and offering attractive bicycle
and walking paths, can greatly reduce vehicle miles travelled per household. This would in turn
reduce the amount of energy needed for transportation—while improving quality of life—even
before any expenditures are made for vehicles. Therefore the design of low energy houses should
be combined with an urban design that allows the use of public transportation and bicycles. If the
cities maximt/e public transportation, the use of bicycles and minimize the use of private cars the
result would be lower costs for energy and rood construction, less traffic jams and less air pollution

4 Use of passive energy design such as natural ventilation, landscaping by vegetation, use of water
bodies for evaporation and cooling, orientation of building, etc can help achieve themul and visual
comfort inside the building, so that there is significant reduction in energy consumption by
conventional air conditioning and artificial lightning in a building Architects and Designers can
achieve energy efficiency in buildings by studying the macro and micro climate of the site,
applying solar-passive and bioclimatic design feature and taking advantage of the natural resources
on site.

14
15
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 https://www.scribd.com/document/111921776/Form-Space-Order-Summary
 https://www.scipedia.com/public/Li_et_al_2013a
 http://www.researchgate.net/publication/259169709_A...
 http://web5.arch.cuhk.edu.hk/server1/staff1/bruce/arch1001/READING/Architecture_For
m%20Space%20and%20Order_Ch7.pdf
 http://www.scipedia.com/public/Li_et_al_2013a
 https://www.scribd.com/document/280634464/A-brief-analysis-of-spatial-constitution-
and-functional-organization-of-museum-architecture-A-case-study-on-museums-in-Hefei

16