International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 9, Issue 2, February 2018, pp. 644–660, Article ID: IJCIET_09_02_062

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=2
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

APPLICATION OF BIOMIMICRY IN BUILDING

DESIGN
Shanta Pragyan Dash
Faculty of Architecture, Manipal Academy of Higher Education,
Academic Block-2, MIT Campus, Manipal, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT
The study of application of biomimicry on building envelope and its response to
any building design challenge is the main structure of the research. It examines nature
as one of the basis for resolving these challenges. It continues to discuss the
application of possible strategies for establishment of an architectural configuration
compatible to its structure. The incorporation of biomimicry idea in architectural
design is believed to be more sustainable and efficient for reduction of energy usage
and operating cost consumption along with design renewal in the future. The idea of
inspiration from nature has developed the intention on this research to explore how
the concept could be applied to overcome the challenges through design strategies.
The paper concludes with the formulation of a design guideline with evident
biomimetic principles that could be applied to any building design with reference to
different contexts to achieve energy efficiency in building design.
Keywords: Biomimicry, Biomimetic principles, Building design, Design strategies,
Energy efficiency.
Cite this Article: Shanta Pragyan Dash, Application of Biomimicry in Building
Design, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 9(2), 2018,
pp. 644–660.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=2

1. INTRODUCTION
There are several technological approaches and solutions to maximize building efficiency
mostly which are termed as passive solutions to minimize the expense and impact of
technologies by implementing more natural approaches of allowing nature to do the work.
Biomimetic architecture represents a promising approach in this direction.
Biomimicry is an ideology that combines biology with architecture to achieve a complete
amalgamation of building and nature. It aims at studying the natural processes found in nature
and uses it for the welfare of mankind.

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

The research aims at identifying the possibilities of linking and applying biological
principles to explore the potential of emerging sciences for developing a design solution for a
striking architecture which is amiable with its surroundings and works to realize that what the
site desires.
It also aims to draw nature into the body of a building through light, sound and landscape
which will ultimately accomplish the architecture that connects the spirit of human soul and
nature.

1. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
1.1. Evolution of biomimicry: Inspired from nature:
The evolution of the concept of biomimicry appeared in early 1980s but was popularized by
Janine Benyus, a scientist and an author, who brought forth an innovative way in design
taking nature as key source of inspiration to solve any design challenge. In her book named
“Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature” published in 1997, she defined Biomimicry idea
as ”a new science which studies nature as a model and an inspiration from which one can
imitate its design and process to solve human problems”. The idea behind the concept is
emphasizing sustainability as a major objective of biomimicry which when applied to
building design in order to increase the strength of materials through self-healing and self-
assembling properties, could offer better solutions to increase the performance of building,
saving energy and cutting down material costs by eliminating wastes.
Biomimicry is often termed as an evolutionary process taking inspiration from nature to
generate systems and processes infinitely seeking a close fit to the ever changing environment
(Fig-1).

Figure 1 Concept of Biomimicry

The representation of the concept can be depicted as a spiral feedback process with organ
as the individual product and organisms as systems and processes which undergoes a
continuous refinement with an ultimate goal to achieve sustainability (Fig-2).

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

Figure 2 Biomimicry Design Spiral

From the understanding of process of Biomimicry, it can be presumed that any problem
created by human with respect to build environment can find its solution from nature and the
process can be imitated successfully aligned in response to the context.

1.2. APPROACHES TO BIOMIMICRY

There are basically two approaches to biomimicry which plays an integral part in design
process. Firstly, identifying human problems and looking into the ways through which other
organisms or eco-systems can resolve this problem which is termed as Design looking to
Biology (Top-Down Approach).
The basic idea is identifying similar issues in nature and how it has been resolved which
shall help the designers to effectively identify the initials goals and parameters for the design
(Fig-3).

Figure 3 Design to Biology (Top –Down Approach)

This kind of approach is an outcome of the designer’s knowledge and ideas that comes
from the design principles which results in the integration of nature’s strategies to finally
arrive at a solution to any design challenge.

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

Secondly, identifying a particular function or the behavior of an organism or ecosystem

and then transforming it to human design which is termed as Biology to Design (Bottom-Top
Approach)

In this case, the biological knowledge influences human design which is basically a collaborative
design process mainly relying on the knowledge of relevant biological research (Fig-4)

Figure 4 Biology to Design (Bottom- Top Approach)

In the perspective of these two approaches of biomimicry, architectural design can also be
categorized under three major levels, i.e. form (organism), process (behavior) and function
(eco-system). The organism level refers to an organism which may involve a part or whole
which can be mimicked. The behavioral level explains about the behavior or response of an
organism to a particular context. The eco-system level explains the mimicking the function of
an entire eco-system.
For the analysis of an organism or ecosystem, the key components which can be
mimicked are both the form and process. The application of all these levels are based on the
designers design program and the existing context where the design is going to be
implemented.

2. BIOMIMICRY IN ARCHITECTURE
2.1. HISTORIC EVOLUTION
In the field of architecture, the application of biomimicry mainly emphasizes on improving
the built environment through development of site work, construction and operation and
reduction in the environmental impacts like carbon emissions, wastes etc.

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

Figure 5 Historic Evolution of Bio-Mimic Concept

Examples of biomimicry in architecture can be seen through ages in different forms (Fig-
5).The concept was prior adopted as an ornamented elements which subsequently transformed
to functional, structural as well as aesthetic part of design.
There are extensive sources of knowledge and ideas from the history to refer and apply in
architectural design to allow the design to be more sustainable. Even if there are numerous
examples in past, but their applications differ based on the context and needs. Some solutions
offer flexibility in design whereas others give structural stability by integrating the ideas of
biomimicry in architectural components (Fig-6).

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

Figure 6 Architectural Components Inspired from Biomimicry

3. LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1. FACT FINDINGS THROUGH LITERATURE STUDY
There are many extensive researches conducted on Biomimicry but the exploration for
understanding the process primarily depends on the topic of enquiry. In architectural
perspective, literature study of biomimicry analyzing its application in design processes shall
be the concurrent investigation in the research process. This section of literature study
examines the published research works about the different perspectives of biomimicry and its
application in architectural design.

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

Table 1 Documentation of the Key Highlights in Biomimetic Research

The highlights of the research and the key facts based on the focus of the study in
summarized in Table-1. A literature study mapping is done to understand the basis of adopted
framework which explains the application of biomimicry in architectural design to achieve an
ultimate goal of sustainability (Fig.7).

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

Figure 7 Literature Study Mapping Based on Systems of Enquiry, Strategies, Tactics and Outcome

3.2. ANALYSIS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:

The applications of biomimicry needs to be defined with response to certain specific context
which can be further implemented in similar situations to resolve any design challenge. The
extensive study through literature and the research conducted on the practical application of
biomimicry can be carried forward by analyzing the response and functional system of
mimicry of any element or creature of nature which can serve as a base for application
pertaining to any such similar issues.
The outcome and results after the implementation of biomimetic process needs to be
traced and documented with an intensive analysis of its feasibility in design so that the same
can be carried forward to any other such similar situations.
The concept of eco-friendly is only applicable when there is a positive response of any
human intervention in environment in terms of materials, construction, process and function.
Biomimicry is about establishing this essential linkage without any harm to the natural
process.
To strengthen this linkage, further knowledge pertaining to the bio morphological
understanding of the natural systems needs to be strengthened through extensive research
work in this field.
The designers need to understand these natural processes and their impact on the
environment which shall serve as a major tool towards sustainable design solution. The
concept of biomimicry is not essentially a complete solution rather it gives an alternate
approach to tackle human issues affecting the environment. The research therefore, should
primarily focus on understanding these fundamental approaches to further incorporate it in
design process.

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

3.3. ANALYTICAL STUDY: Through case studies

To understand the role of building skin for reducing energy consumption through biomimetic
approach, an analytical study of different examples have been carried out to understand and
analyze the different techniques and strategies applied in building skin and how they have
responded successfully to achieve efficiency in building design (Table-2).
These examples have been taken into account with respect to the building typology, the
inspiration from nature considered, their application in design, how the problems got resolved
through its application as a design solution.

Table 2 Examples of Application of Biomimicry in Building Skin Design to Achieve Sustainability in

Design

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

3.4 SAMPLE ANALYSIS

After the intensive study of the applicability of biomimicry in building skin design, a detailed
analysis has been carried out to understand its feasibility in terms of achieving sustainable
design principles. These samples have been categorized under different parameters of
sustainability (Table-3)

Table 3 Samples Catagorised Undervarious Parameters of Sustainability

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

Graph 1 Showing the Level of Sustainability Achieved for Different Parameters

3.5. FINDINGS
Biomimicry is a successful ecological approach for energy efficient building envelopes. It is a
solution based approach which has successfully resolved many environmental issues through
architectural interventions in built environment (Graph-1).
There are very few examples of building projects where the processes have been truly
integrated at micro level. This aspect needs to be explored more to create a strong relationship
towards the integration of built form and its context for a sustainable built environment. There
has been a positive approach of focusing on contemporary sustainable design on the principles
of biomimicry. Feasibility in terms of cost, materials and energy needs to be established to
achieve efficiency in building design.

4. FIELD SURVEY & ANALYSIS

To get a better understanding and evaluate how the biomimetic approach in reality influence
architectural design and its impact on environment, economy and science thereby affects the
surrounding community and human life, a survey was conducted with the professionals.
These professionals were mainly related to sustainable and environmental architecture, civil
engineers and other specialists in engineering materials and technology. The following were
the key questions addressed:
The survey gives an evidence with clarity that majority of the stakeholders support the
idea of biomimicry and justified with their practical knowledge and projects that the process
had a real impact on the environment and the life of the building inhabitants. The impact of
biomimicry is mainly seen influencing the human behavior.

4.1. IDENTIFYING RESEARCH GAP

The study of the research on biomimicry brings a co-relationship between biomimicry
application in architectural systems and design process. There has been a positive impact in
the built environment by incorporating the ideas of natural processes to resolve environmental
issues.

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

The finding shows that amongst all the levels of biomimicry, only organism level is
majorly applied as a design tool to achieve architectural design solution. Applications of other
two levels i.e. behavioral level responding to the context and ecosystem level i.e. mimicking
the eco-system, needs to be explored.
Biomimicry is essentially a realization process so its impact can be realized and assessed
for continuous refinement to achieve sustainability in a design program.
There is a need to establish an essential link to connect the three levels of biomimicry
which together can serve to a better healthy environment for human survival.
The response to build environment is a phenomena which cannot be imitated in all
contexts. And hence, there is no standard design systems in architectural interventions
through biomimetic approach which can lead to achieve the goal of sustainable design in any
context.
There is a need to co-relate the three fundamental theories of sustainability i.e.
biomimicry, sustainable design and evidence based design. Even if there in an inter-
relationship between these three aspects but there need to have a strong theoretical evident
with prior research and findings which can be taken further for developing a design strategy
which can be implemented as a design solution to any particular contextual issues pertaining
to that climate and environment.
As a part of study and intensive research on finding various parameters to link these broad
aspects, the dissertation tries to establish this link and formulating certain guidelines and
recommendations which can be applied on the building skin which shall be a part of energy
management of the building system.

5. SYNTHESIS: ESTABLISHING A POTENTIAL OF APPLICATION OF

BIOMIMICRY IN BUILDING DESIGN
5.1 INTERLINKING BIOMIMICRY, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND
EVIDENCE BASED DESIGN
The ultimate goal of biomimicry in architectural design, as stated above, is to achieve
sustainability as an ultimate goal. As mentioned by Benyus about her Nine Golden rules of
Biomimicry, there is a need to link these key elements in terms of sustainability principles in
order to define clearly the objectives and their inter-relationships. The principles of
Biomimicry and Sustainable design is stated below (Fig- 8). An attempt of correlating and
interpreting both the principles have been shown (in Fig-9).
Before adopting the process of biomimicry in building design one needs to clearly
understand the opportunities and constraints and its feasibility as a design approach. The
summary of its opportunities and constraints has been listed below which can be taken further
to integrate as a part of design (Table-4).

5.2. INTERPRETATION WITH EVIDENCE BASED DESIGN:

The concept of evidence based design and biomimicry goes hand in hand. Both are developed
due to human problems which need to be addressed for environmental benefit in built
environment. So there is also an urge to correlate both these concepts to arrive at an agreed
solution which is the ultimate goal of both these processes in design solution (Fig- 33).

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 Application of Biomimicry in Building Design

6. FORMULATION OF DESIGN MATRIX

To summarize the study which can be further initiated for its application in design process,
there is a need to structure the study and the evident research worked on the biomimetic
principles. The approach shall be applicable on building skin which can resolve similar issues.
The fundamental idea behind the process shall be to understand the building design
requirements analyzing the energy efficient factors in terms of different parameters of
sustainability and to take the best possible inspirations from the nature understanding its
mechanisms and then adopting the process through which it can be implemented on that
similar context.
The following are the criteria need to be addressed in building skin design which shall
serve as a checklist to start with the idea of resolving these issues by mimicking inspirations
from nature (Fig- 11).
It also perceives the human interaction within the built spaces which satisfies the aspect of
social environment by creating their visual communication with external environment.
After identifying the best possible solutions to the existing problems within their built
environment (Fig-12), these criteria and inspirations are clubbed together to formulate the
design matrix (Table-5)
The understanding of the environmental issues and interpreting the best possible solutions
is the role of any designer to make the built environment sustainable.
In this regard, this design matrix shall be an evident tool to analyze the similar process
before accepting it as an essential solution in any particular context.
The idea of biomimicry is successful only if the factual interpretation of any design issue
can be addressed in a holistic way.

7. CONCLUSION
Like an organism depends on its own abilities to survive within the environment, the life of a
building is also dependent on its relationship and response to the surrounding environment.
Considering the design is developed due to its basic interaction with nature, it can be
conjectured that nature- inspired design approaches shall be carried out with more precision
and details by understanding its bio mimic phenomena. The study aimed at explaining an
alternative way to bring a harmony between nature, environment and architectural design. The
unexplored comprehensibility in the design process of architectural intervention utilizing
nature’s lessons can play an important role in creating a unique approach towards this
direction. Since building envelope contains a significant amount in terms of energy usage,
reviewing the fundamental issues in built environment and enhancing the flexibility in the
design of buildings in response to it, can provide the required ground for achieving energy
management systems integrated within the building skin and the energy consumption level
can also be reduced.

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[3] Radwan Gehan.A.N, Nouran Osama, 2016. Biomimicry, an approach for energy efficient
building skin design, Procedia Environmental Sciences 34.

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 Shanta Pragyan Dash

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