BIO ARCHITECTURE: NATURE INSPIRED DESIGN

AS ENVIRONMENT SENSITIVE APPROACH TOOL

CHAPTER 1
DETAILED SYNOPSIS

INTRODUCTION
Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing nature based not only on what can be extracted from the
natural world, but also on what can be learned from it. Therefore, architects, designers and engineers have
returned to their natural and biological roots to investigate and seek out solutions in design and
performance- based problems within architecture. So architects are interested in biomimicry not only to
find new ways of building, but also to find new sources of inspiration for aesthetic expression. In many
cases, the results are buildings that are highly efficient, more durable and require less energy or fewer
materials by using their language with nature to perform the adapted design concept. Well-known eco
design was an attempt to preserve the resources (i.e. renewable or non-renewable resources) and to find
ecological solutions by emulating nature’s forms, processes and

ecosystems to solve problems in architecture. Consequently, biomimicry is often described as a tool to

increase the sustainability of human designed products, materials and the built environment. So this
research is focused on biomimicry as a potential approach that helps integrate ecological sustainability to
design by understanding the natural processes to reach a proposed methodological study which
contributes in clarifying the three-dimensional relationship between biomimicry, ecological design solution
and sustainability which is most appropriate for architecture.

1.2 AIM

To understand biomimicry and its importance towards promoting sustainable architecture.

1.3. OBJECTIVE

To achieve the aim, the following research objective will be completed:

1. Identify problems created by the industrial revolution to our planet

and why sustainable architecture is needed in today’s age.

2. Research the effectiveness biomimicry has had on evolving

technologies and architectural functions.
3. Analyse if biomimicry can inspire architecture to work harmoniously
with the environment through analysis of a practical example

4. Identify the future improvements biomimicry can make to

architectural design.

1.4. NEED OF STUDY

Nature has all responses to the architectural solutions we humans are still searching for with bionics as a
field of study architects and engineers can develop architecture and materials that fit their setting and that
respond to changes in climate as a living in an arctic region does with the excess of fur it has on its body
for insulation or which a chameleon does when it changes its colour once it senses danger.

1.5. SCOPE OF STUDY

The selection of the topic was to study nature, its existence and especially how it adapts itself to extreme
harsh conditions and evolve accordingly. Nature over the years has found ways to exist in any type of
environment be it a cold region or extremely hot climate. Learning from nature for better architectural
solution is the key for survival and better environment. Looking at nature for better solutions for adapting
to different climatic conditions can help us find answers to solutions which the human race has always
looked for.

1.6. METHODOLOGY

n order to achieve the aims of this research, the methodology of it has relied on qualitative method through
collecting data about the historical background of biomimicry and the theoretical basis of different levels
and design approaches of biomimicry, analysing and interpreting data by observing how to use eco
solutions as a tool to achieve sustainability in architecture. As well as using the correlational analysis to
determine the strength of the relationship between biomimicry, ecological design solution and sustainability
which is most applicable for architecture by using supporting evidence through an analytical approach of
two case studies to clarify more the three-dimensional relationship between biomimicry, ecological design
solutions and sustainability. This topic will lead to a detail study of nature and bionics and how it can be
translated in architecture and how architecture can become a living entity.