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 Gothic Style Fan Vaults
Le Corbusier
the columns Of the temples were are supported by columns and enclosed Frank Lloyd Wright
inspired by the lotus plant, sacred plant by stained glass - is inspired from the cleansing function of
tree's shape. likened the columns in the Johnson kidneys in the design of the
for the Egyptians
Wax building to water lilies washrooms for the inbuilt
Olivetti Headquarters

History
project
6th – 9th Century 19th Century

6th Century 12th Century 20th Century

Greek and Roman Art Nouveau & Antonio Gaudi Eero Saarinen
The Sagrada Familia church 1882 – nature’s functional The TWA terminal at John F Kennedy
Column capitals - form to answer a structural Airport, New York - used biomorphic forms
Corinthian and problem. to capture the poetry of flight.
Composite were columns that modeled the
inspired by Acanthus branching canopies of trees
plant 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
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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 BIOLOG
Y
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.

BIOLOG DESIGN
Y
1.DESIGN LOOKING INTO BIOLOGY
BIONIC CAR
• The approach where designers look to the living world for solutions BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER
requires designers to identify problems and biologists to then match • In looking to create a large
these to organisms that have solved similar issues. volume, small wheel base car,
the design for the car was based
• Biological analogues are matched with human identified design on the boxfish (ostracion
problems but the issue of how buildings relate to each other and the meleagris), a surprisingly
aerodynamic fish given its box
ecosystems they are part of is not examined. like shape.
• The chassis and structure of the
DISADVANTAGE:
car are also biomimetic,
• Designers are able to research potential biomimetic solutions without having been designed using a
an in depth scientific understanding or even collaboration with a computer modeling method
biologist or ecologist if they are able to observe organisms or based upon how trees are able
to grow in a way that
ecosystems or are able to access available biological research. minimizes stress
• With a limited scientific understanding however, translation of such concentrations.
biological knowledge to a human design setting has the potential to • The resulting structure looks
almost skeletal, as material is
remain at a shallow level.
allocated only to the places where
it is most needed
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. Biologists and ecologists
must therefore be able to recognize the potential of their LOTUSAN
research in the creation of novel applications. PAINT BY STO
The scientific analysis of the lotus flower emerging clean from swampy waters,
which led to many design innovations like Sto’s Lotusan paint 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 explore the 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 the warming 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 DELHIExpressionism 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 ELECTRICITY
BROUGHT BACK
APPROACH PERCOLATE HEATED THROUGH HEAT
INTO HOT TO SURFACE
UPTO 150 deg EXCHANGERS
ROCKS
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 contained air
structure of steel structure consumption 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 with steel and light The upper floor level
weight concrete. trusses are modeled after
• The continuous ellipse wall forms an extremely a seagull's bone marrow
durable shell. ( Lateral rigidity) 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.