BIOMIMICRY

Nature as a Model, Measure, and Mentor

What is Biomimicry? “ Biomimicry is basically taking a design challenge and then finding an
ecosystem that’s already solved that challenge and literally trying to emulate
what you learn. “
Biomimicry originates from two Greek words -Janine Benyus

Bios Mimesis Biomimicry

(life) (Imitate)

Biomimicry or biomimetics is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of
solving complex human problems which can be applied to improve the way the built environment is
designed, through site work, construction, and daily operations, and to reduce the impact it has upon the
natural environment through numerous strategies of reducing carbon emissions, waste and more.
What is Biomimetic Architecture?
• Biomimetic architecture is a contemporary philosophy of architecture that seeks solutions for
sustainability in nature, not by replicating the natural forms, but by understanding the rules governing
those forms.
• It is a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainable design that follows a set of principles rather than stylistic
codes.
• It is part of a larger movement known as biomimicry, which is the examination of nature, its models,
systems, and processes for the purpose of gaining inspiration in order to solve man-made problems.
Egyptian civilization
the columns Of the temples were
inspired by the lotus plant,
sacred plant for the Egyptians
6th – 9th Century
6th Century
Greek and Roman
Column capitals
- Corinthian and
Composite were
inspired by
Acanthus plant
Gothic Style Fan Vaults
Le Corbusier
are supported by columns and Frank Lloyd Wright
enclosed by stained glass - is cleansing function of
inspired from the tree's shape. likened the columns in the kidneys in the design of
Johnson Wax building to the washrooms for the
History
water lilies inbuilt Olivetti
Headquarters project
19th Century
12th Century 20th Century
Art Nouveau & Antonio Gaudi Eero Saarinen
The Sagrada Familia church 1882 – nature’s functional The TWA terminal at John F Kennedy
form to answer a Airport, New York - used biomorphic
structural problem. forms to capture the poetry of flight.
columns that modeled
the branching canopies
of trees to solve statics
problems in supporting
the vault.
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Application of Biomimicry in Building Design
 THREE LEVELS OF BIOMIMICRY

ORGANISM BEHAVIOUR ECOSYSTEM

(Mimicry of a specified (Mimicry of how an organism
(Mimicry of an ecosystem)
Organism) behaves or relates to its larger
context)
1. ORGANISM LEVEL

• Species of living organisms have typically been evolving for millions of years.
• Those organisms that remain on Earth now have the survival mechanisms that have
withstood and adapted to constant changes over time.
• On the organism level, the architecture looks to the organism itself, applying its form
and/or functions to a building.
• Functions and responses to a larger context have to be kept in mind too, as organisms
are a part of an ecosystem.
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2. Behavioral LEVEL
• Buildings mimic how an organism behaves or relates to its larger context.
• On the level of the ecosystem, a building mimics the natural process and cycle of the greater
environment. Not the organism itself that is mimicked, but its behavior.
• Behavior level mimicry requires ethical decisions to be made about the suitability of what is being
mimicked for the human context.
• Not all organisms exhibit behaviors that are suitable for humans to mimic
• The danger exists that models of consumption or exploitation could be justified on the basis of
how another species behaves.
• For example, mimicking the building behavior (and outcome of that) of termites might be
appropriate for the creation of passively regulated thermally comfortable buildings.
• But, mimicking the social structure of termite colonies would not be suitable however if
universal human rights are valued.
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THE QATAR CACTI BUILDING
• Uses the cactus’s relationship to its environment as a model for building in the desert.
• The functional processes silently at work are inspired by the way cacti sustain themselves in a dry, scorching climate.
• Sun shades on the windows open and close in response to heat, just as the cactus undergoes transpiration at night
rather than during the day to retain water.
• The project reaches out to the ecosystem level in its adjoining botanical dome whose wastewater
management system follows processes that conserve water and has minimum waste outputs.

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2. Ecosystem LEVEL
• Building mimics the natural process and cycle of the greater environment.

• Ecosystem principles follow that ecosystems

(1) are dependent on contemporary sunlight;
(2) optimize the system rather than its components;
(3) are attuned to and dependent on local conditions;
(4) are diverse in components, relationships and information;
(5) create conditions favorable to sustained life; and
(6) adapt and evolve at different levels and at different rates.
Essentially, this means that a number of components and processes make up an
ecosystem and they must work with each other rather than against in order for the
ecosystem to run smoothly.

ADVANTAGE

Potential positive effects on overall environmental performance.

• Operates at both metaphoric level and at a practical functional level.
• METAPHORIC LEVEL - general ecosystem principles (based on how most ecosystems work)
are able to be applied by designers with little specific ecological knowledge.
• FUNCTIONAL LEVEL - in-depth understanding of ecology drives the design of a built
environment that is able to participate in the major biogeochemical material cycles
of the planet .
THE SAHARA FOREST PROJECT
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 LAVASA
• 8000-acre city planned for a region of India subject to monsoon flooding.
• Site’s original ecosystem was a moist deciduous forest before it had become an arid landscape.
• In response to the season flooding, the building foundations were designed to store water like the former trees did.
• City rooftops mimic the banyan fig leaf looking to its drip-tip system that allows water to run off while simultaneously
cleaning its surface.
• The strategy to move excess water through channels is borrowed from local harvester ants, which use multi- path
channels to divert water away from their nests.

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 DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO BIOMIMICRY

1. Defining a human need or design problem and looking to the ways other organisms or ecosystems solve
this, design looking into biology.

DESIGN BIOLOGY
2. Identifying a particular characteristic, behavior or function in an organism or ecosystem and translating
that into human designs, referred to as biology influencing design.

BIOLOGY DESIGN
1.DESIGN LOOKING INTO BIOLOGY
BIONIC CAR
• The approach where designers look to the living world for BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER
solutions requires designers to identify problems and • In looking to create a large
biologists to then match these to organisms that have volume, small wheel base
car, the design for the car
solved similar issues. was based on the boxfish
• Biological analogues are matched with human identified (ostracion meleagris), a
surprisingly aerodynamic
design problems but the issue of how buildings relate to fish given its box like shape.
each other and the ecosystems they are part of is not • The chassis and structure
examined. of the car are also
biomimetic, having been
DISADVANTAGE: designed using a
• Designers are able to research potential biomimetic computer modeling
method based upon how
solutions without an in depth scientific understanding or trees are able to grow in a
even collaboration with a biologist or ecologist if they are way that minimizes stress
able to observe organisms or ecosystems or are able to concentrations.
• The resulting structure looks
access available biological research. almost skeletal, as material is
• With a limited scientific understanding however, translation allocated only to the places
of such biological knowledge to a human design setting where it is most needed
has the potential to remain at a shallow level.
2. BIOLOGY INFLUENCING DESIGN

When biological knowledge influences human

design, the collaborative design process is initially
dependant on people having knowledge of relevant
biological or ecological research rather than on
determined human design problems.

ADVANTAGE:

Biology may influence humans in ways that might be

outside a predetermined design problem, resulting in
previously unthought-of technologies or systems or
even approaches to design solutions.

DISADVANTAGE:

Biological research must be conducted and then

identified as relevant to a design context. LOTUSAN PAINT
Biologists and ecologists must therefore be able to BY STO
recognize the potential of their research in the The scientific analysis of the lotus flower emerging clean from swampy
waters, which led to many design innovations like Sto’s Lotusan paint
creation of novel applications. which enables buildings to be self cleaning.
INDUSTRIAL EXAMPLES
OF BIOMIMICRY
GARDENS BY THE BAY

The Singapore Gardens by the Bay which located in Marina Bay is a main project in delivering the Singapore Government’s vision of
transforming Singapore into a ‘City in a Garden’. Architect Wilkinson Eyre was called upon to design this center piece of ambition.

The focal point of Gardens by the Bay is the 2 conservatories which are The Flower Dome and The Cloud Forest. They are the 2 largest
climate-controlled glasshouses in the world. The Flower Dome consists of a cool dry conservatory while The Cloud Forest has a cool moist
conservatory. (Rus. M , 2012) Each of them has its own character but both explorethe horticulture of those environments most likely to be
affected by climate change.

The Cloud Forest highlights the relationship between plants and the planet, showing how thewarming of the cool tropical cloud forests will
threaten biodiversity. (Rus. M , 2012) The purpose of this project is to communicate to the Singapore community the urgency and importance
of environment sustainability with its linked message of its value of biodiversity conservation arose from the need to expand the footprint of the
city.
The environmental diagram showing sustainability cycles that incorporates
the water, energy and materials cycles.
LOTUS TEMPLE, NEW DELHI Expressionism and Symbolism in Biomimicry
The Lotus Temple situated in New Delhi, India, popularly known as the Lotus Temple due to its flowerlike
shape, is a Bahai Community House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. The building was
completed in 1986 and now serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent. The worship house was
designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba.
Light in Interiors
• The whole superstructure is planned so as to function as a skylight.
• The internal dome is spherical and decorated after the inmost portion of the lotus flower.
• Light enters the hall in the same way as it passes through the inner folds of the lotus petals.
• The central part of the temple is held by nine open petals where each of which is utilised as a skylight.
• The interior dome, therefore, is sort of a bud consisting of twenty seven petals, and light-weight filters
through these inner folds and is subtle throughout the hall.
Cooling methods adopted:
• Building as a chimney
• The dominant hall of the temple is planned to
function as a chimney, with openings at top
and bottom (stack affect) This ensures a
continuous drought of cool air to pass over the
pools in basement and hall
• Cool air (heavy) is drawn from the bottom
openings and hot air (light) is emitted out from
the top.
• This 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 auditorium is lowered by five steps
so that they act as louvers for cool air entrance
• Two sets of exhaust fans complement this
whole system.
• The first of dome cools the concrete shell and
therefore prevents transference of heat.
• The second set chimneys air from the
auditorium to the cold basement for cooling
and recycles it back.
BEIJING NATIONAL STADIUM
INSPIRATION: BIRD’S NEST
Drawing from the structural strength and
beauty of natural objects is a growing trend as
architects and designers today have become
increasingly interested in the efficient use of
energy and materials. Beijing national
stadium, designed by Swiss architects Herzog
and de Meuron, is an excellent example of
the use of these bio-metric principles in
modern architecture. As implied by
its nickname a “birds nest”, the stadium rises
out of the landscape in the shape of a giant
upturned bird’s nest. The seemingly random
pattern of the steel structural members as the
twigs is actually governed by advanced
geometrical rules to ensure a compact and
optimum design, the seating bowl was
established first, with the outer facade
wrapping around it. The design ensures that
all spectators are as close as possible to the
action and have a clear sightline.
DESIGN CHALLENGES

1. TO PROVIDE THERMAL COMFORT IN THE

STADIUM

• The exterior shell – inflated cushions as a filler Just

as a birds stuff the spaces between the woven
twigs of their nests with a soft filler, the spaces in
the structure of the stadium are filled with
inflated ETFE cushions.
• On the roof, the cushions will be mounted on
the outside of the structure to make the roof
completely weatherproof.
• Whilst the rain is collected for rainwater
recuperation the sunlight filters through the
translucent roof providing the lawn with
essential UV– Radiation.
• On the facade, the inflated cushions will be
mounted on the inside of the structure where
necessary, e.g. to provide wind protection.
2) PROVIDE BEST POSSIBLE SPECTOR VIEW FROM ALL
DIRECTIONS
Sightlines and spectator Viewing: The almost circular
footprint optimizes the viewing and atmosphere by
bringing all the spectators as close to the action as
possible. The stands are designed without
any interruption to evoke the image of
the bowl. This evenly constructed shape serves to
focus attention on the spectators and the events
on the field. The human crowd forms the
architecture.

3) COMPLEX STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Since the entire structure is constructed of steel and
concrete with a combined weight of around 50,000
tonnes. Hence, computer simulation, synchronized
control, and structure monitoring techniques
were all used to ensure accurate operation,
unloading and timely observations. All
these provided for a structure that mutually
supported each other and converged into a grid-like
formation-almost like a bird’s nest with its interwoven
twigs. To form a structure largely dominated by large
spans and digital screens.
4. EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE
Due to the fact that Beijing is located in an earthquake
zone, it was imperative to be able to withstand the earth’s
movement. By building the stadium in two separate parts,
including a steel lattice structure and a concrete bowl
separated by 50ft, the designers were able to create a
structure flexible enough to handle the considerable
seismic activity. The bird’s nest is prepared to withstand an
earthquake of up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale.
The Stadium is the centrepiece of the Olympic Green, on an irregular quadrangle of approximately
20.4ha. The terrain is relatively flat, with ground elevations ranging from 42m to 47m, highest at the
south-west corner and lowest at the north-east corner. The position was chosen so that there would
be a gradual rise in level from the city road in the north-east, forming a gentle slope up to
the stadium plinth. The plinth connects to the main concourse, level 1 of the stadium.

The temporary seats, which are mainly to the rear of the top tier, have the least-favourable views
and are located in zones that can be converted to other revenue- generating use in the legacy
mode.
The steel structure is painted light grey, contrasting with the red- painted external concrete wall of
the bowl, which is clearly visible through the façade. This creates a variety of impressive visual
effects, particularly when lit at night.
NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTER, BEIJING

The National Aquatic Center, also known as a water cube, was another
spectacular project created to host the 2008 Olympics. The structure
was inspired by cells and the natural formation of soap bubbles. The
unique geometry of the bubbles was used repetitively to build a
structure that appeared organic and random. The continuous skin of
the structure was created with ETFE (Ethyl tetrafluoroethylene) due to its
lightweight and great insulation. The cladding allows the entry of more
light as compared to glass and even traps 20% of solar energy, which is
used to heat the pools.
Council House 2, Melbourne

The office building was designed using strategies from a termite mound.
The system used by termites to control and maintain the temperature in
the mound was replicated in the building through natural convection,
thermal mass, water cooling, and ventilation stacks. The façade of the
structure takes inspiration from the skin system i.e. the epidermis (outer
skin) and dermis (inner skin). The dermis acts as an outside zone and
houses stairs, ducts, lifts, etc. while the inner line defines the fire
compartment. The bark façade of the structure also assists with natural
ventilation of the wet systems.
Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin

Designed by Santiago
Calatrava, the
dynamic feature of
the museum is the
Quadracci Pavilion.
The pavilion contains
the Burke Brise Soleil,
which is a movable
sunscreen resembling
the wings of a bird
due to its opening
and closing
mechanism.
Eiffel Tower
The iron structure
elicits inspiration from
the femur i.e. the thigh
bone. The internal iron
braces represent the
trabecula within the
femur whereas the
outward flares at the
base of the tower
resemble the curved
portion at the top of
the bone. The features
similar to the bone
help the structure
withstand shear winds
and provide structural
stability.
Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris

The adaptive façade of the structure mimics the iris of the

eye. The cladding of the structure acts as an automated
eye that dilates based on the conditions during the day,
while the kinetic façade on the south maintains thermal
exposure. This helps control the entry of light into interior
spaces and maintains thermal comfort.
Eastgate Center,
Zimbabwe
Designed by Mick
Pearce in
collaboration with
Arup engineers, the
center is a shopping
mall and office
building that makes
use of natural cooling
with sophistication.
Inspired by the
natural cooling
system of termites, the
air enters the building
at the lower floors
and escapes through
the chimneys. The
natural system helps
reduce energy
consumption by 10%
when compared to a
standard building.
ARCHITECT MICHAEL PAWLYN

BIOMIMICRY- INTERPRETATION
Adapts ideas from natural organisms that have
evolved responses to resource- constrained
environments.

APPROACH
•Self sustained, light weight structures.
• Used of light weight material.
•Use of various by-products as building material.
THE EDEN PROJECT (ENGLAND)
• Largest botanical garden in the world
• Combines ecology, horticulture, science,
art and architecture.
• The challenge for this project was to design
buildings that provide the environment to
create different microclimates.
GEODISC DOMES AS BIOMES
INSPIRATIONAL APPROACH
• Organism used as an approach to biomimicry
in architecture.
• Dragon fly wing – An element to interpret organism
• The hexagonal pattern of biomes reflects to
the hexagonal impression of dragonfly wing.
• Spare heat used to heat the nearby buildings

RETURNED AIR
NATURAL WATER
HEATED CONVERTED INTO
ALLOWED TO WATER HEATED ELECTRICITY
BROUGHT BACK
APPROACH PERCOLATE INTO UPTO 150 deg
TO SURFACE THROUGH HEAT
HOT ROCKS EXCHANGERS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Uninterrupted ground space needed on ever changing
ground surface of clay pit.
• Need for self sustained stable structure.
• light weight structure.
• Need for a self maintained and cleaning
structure.
• Need of maximum sunlight for greenhouse effect.

•light weight structure.

•Need for a self maintained

and cleaning structure.

•Need of maximum sunlight

for greenhouse effect.
WEB LIKE STRUCTURE
WHICH CAN STAND BY
ITSELF
FORM
•Nature inspired the supremely efficient structural
form.
•Dragonfly wing used as interpretation for hexagonal form.
•Geodesic dome considered to be the best self sustaining
form.
•The hexagonal pattern of biomes reflects to the hexagonal
impression of dragonfly wing.
•One of the lightest structures
•a building that is largely self-heating using passive solar
design principles.

STRUCTURE
•Dome shaped Hexagon membrane - considered to be the
most stable geometric shape
•Use of Geodesic dome shaped membrane.
•Light weight steel framing-
•weight of structure <the air
contained in structure
•ETFE membrane having weight less than glass and more
light.
Light weight less use More light Less energy Weight less than that of
structure of steel structure consumption contained air inside structure
ARCHITECT EUGENE TSUI

• Eugene Tsui is an architect based in California.

• Tsui is perhaps the first architect/designer in history to
profoundly study, analyze and implement the workings of
natural phenomena, through an interdisciplinary
approach, as a basis for design at all scales including
construction materials and methods.
• Tsui specializes in nature-influenced architecture, preferring
shapes and forms
inspired by living creatures and natural constructions to
standard rectilinear designs.
OJA DEL SOL YEN
• Oja Del Sol Yen in California is the
residence of the Tsui Family, Designed
by Eugene Tsui.
• It implements the evolutionary practices
of nature as a synthesis of a billion years
of evolution applied to immediate
needs and circumstances of form,
function and purpose.
FORM
• The form is abstracted form the morphology of Tardigrade, which are a minor phyla of
microscopic invertebrates also named water bears.
• They have 4 pairs of stumpy legs but are most closely related to certain worms.
• They can survive extreme of droughts and temperature even down to absolute zero and
live for almost a century

Tsui draws the geometry of the

Tardigrades carapace (shell) –
elliptical in plan with upper
parabolic and lower catenary
curves in section.
•The roof comprises of a series of sprayed concrete parabolic arches supported on stressed wooden frames.
It can with stand extreme shocks such as earthquakes.

STRUCTURE
• The structural system is of recycled
Styrofoam and cement blocks reinforced The upper floor level
with steel and light weight concrete. trusses are modeled
• The continuous ellipse wall forms an after a seagull's bone
extremely durable shell. ( Lateral rigidity) marrow to create an
. overhead truss system,
minimizing material
usage and making it
light weight and
strong.
REYES HOUSE
The Reyes House is residence in Oakland deigned by Eugene Tsui. The
building is dynamic and responds the changing environment to maintain
interior conditions.

FORM
• The solarium is roofed with a pair of 6mt long translucent fiber glass wings
like those of dragonfly.
• They open and close responding to the exterior environment to create a
comfortable microclimate.
• From the outside, the structure stimulates a giant insect/fly flapping its
wings.
•The solarium is a glass, wood and stone structure
shaped into a truncated cone with winged roof the
opens and closes with the turn of a crank.
•The conical structure is interpreted from Barnacle,
organism that fixes itself to the rocks on the sea shores.
•The conical structure can resist and dissipate the
overturning forces.

•The dragonfly wing structure consist of primary rigid elements at

periphery and secondary cross bracings at the interior.

•Curvilinear forms that are used are much more resistant because of
their resistance to tangential forces and they also use less materials.

COEXISTANCE WITH NATURAL FORCES

• The conical shape from the Barnacle is one of the strongest shapes found in nature and can resist shocks.
Thus, the Reyes House has efficient resistance to earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes.
• The overturning forces are avoided due to its shape, lowering the center of gravity.