INTRODUCTION TO BIOMIMICRY

Biomimicry - An Introduction
The conscious emulation of nature by turning towards it as a mentor can be called as Biomimicry.Biomimcry as the name suggests, indicates the mimicking of the biological designs, processes & laws to the design of human systems. Biomimicry (from bios meaning life, and mimesis meaning to imitate) is a new science that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example. The core idea is that nature has already solved many of the problems humans are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth. All organism, plants, animals, fungi, algae, and bacteria must grow, maintain, feed, and reproduce to ensure their short-term and long-term sustainability. The same can be said for humans. But the way industrial humans have gone about meeting their needs is quite different from the way other organisms survive, and therein lies the root of our sustainability crisis. However, the characteristics displayed by natural systems evolving, adaptive and sustainable are the exact same characteristics that have to be striven for, in our human systems today. Application of Biomimicry to Civil Engineering Bio-Civil The structures of biological systems such as the beehives, termite nests, the cell membrane, spider webs or other organelles-are available to humankind. The nature is always available as both an inspirational model as well as a view of the progress of biomaterials and a means to break away from stagnant patterns and realize the expanded possibilities afforded by technology and bios-centered thinking. The structural patterns found in the living organisms has revealed the intriguing facts that their application in the designing of our buildings will definitely help us achieve economy and disaster resistant building construction.
11

APPLICATION OF BIOMIMICRY TO ARCHITECTURE BIO-ARCHITECTURE Rob Beug has defined bio-architecture as an investigation into the potential for biological organisms to influence architecture. Every living organism on Earth represents a perfectly functioning system, well adapted to the environment as a result of the millions of years of evolution. The last two centuries, however, have seen a deterioration of this relationship between architecture and nature. Today, buildings are usually looked at as isolated machines, and nature is largely ignored. To a large extent, this alienation from the natural world was made possible by technological advancements brought on by the industrial revolution. The mechanical systems that allowed this comfort also allowed buildings to be divorced from their environment, as buildings no longer needed to be designed to maximize sun and wind, or use local materials. Unfortunately some very serious repercussions of this approach are now becoming apparent. Environmental crisis, suggests a number of measures to be taken for achieving heating energy and water economy, garbage recycling and more efficient elimination of auto exhaust gas pollutants. In particular, it proposes to cover unused surfaces in the city courtyards, facades and roofs with vegetation. The choices architects make in designing buildings have a big impact on the health and sustainability of our planet. When one begins to look at how life forms function and adapt, it becomes clear that if an organism is to survive, it must fit within the natural cycles of life. In nature, everything is interdependent and being constantly recycled. Buildings must fit in with these natural cycles as well.

BIOMIMICRY IN ARCHITECTURE BIO-ARCHITECTURE

12

INTRODUCTION TO BIO-ARCHITECTURE As stated by Rob Beug Bio-architecture is explained as: An investigation into the potential for biological organisms to The art and science of designing and erecting buildings, which are, Buildings and other large structures that are similar to plants or A style and method of design and construction. Orderly arrangement of parts in an organic way; structure: the bio-

influence architecture. conceptualized as living organisms. animals in form or function.

architecture Given the current global environmental imperatives, it is essential to develop a philosophical approach in which buildings are seen less as isolated machines and more like organic systems. Recognizing this relationship and building on it, has the potential to inform an architecture that not only produces more ecologically sound buildings, but also can create rich, meaningful and pleasurable spaces. BIOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE: PARALLELS AND INSPIRATIONS A relationship between biology and architecture may seem like a strange concept at first thought, but in fact there are many parallels between buildings and life forms. Living organisms have evolved over millennia in a competitive system that forces them to optimize their functionality and efficiency that are very important issues, especially when the environmental imperatives of today are considered. Life forms are often very beautiful and fascinating and as architecture is also an art, there are obvious relationships here as well. These relationships are categorized into two main types:

Aesthetics: Associations, which deal with the look or outward appearance. Functional: Associations dealing with how things work, energy and waste systems.

13

AESTHETIC ASSOCIATIONS This section will look at associations between the appearance of buildings and that of living organisms. Architects in their buildings have used visual features of life forms such as colors, symmetry, patterns and shapes. The diversity of shapes, colors and patterns in living organisms is utterly immense. Even though much of living matter is profoundly beautiful, there is a functional basis to everything. This can range from patterns that camouflage the organisms to avoid being eaten, to bright colors that attract other creatures for mating or pollination. Forms evolve to meet environmental conditions, maximizing the ability of the organism to survive and reproduce. The beauty of the natural world has been a source of inspiration to architects and builders for thousands of years. Egyptian temples were adorned with plant shaped columns, arranged informations to mimic forest canopies. The ancient Greeks corinthian column was a celebration of nature with its leaf like elements, while the spirals of the ionic column bring to mind the graceful shape of sea shells.

This spiral minaret from the Great Mosque of Samarra (842) in present day Iraq seems to be clearly inspired by the spiral shape of a seashell. Unusual buildings arouse curiosity in people. However, organic forms also seem to always be

14

popular with the general public. Curving, flowing shapes are found in all living organisms. These organic shapes are part of our innate conception of beauty. Using life forms as a source of decorative inspiration can be quite appealing, and even useful in the sense that it can attract people to the building, and thus potentially make it more successful and / or profitable. Elements that are strictly decorative are not the only way to accomplish this and do not represent the best value. Delving deeper into natural systems, to find the underlying structural and functional principles, could provide for a more meaningful and even greater visual appeal than decoration alone. Every element in a living organism has a purpose; beauty is the result of good design, not the goal of it. The same principle is applied to architecture. FUNCTIONAL ASSOCIATIONS This section will look at some well-established analogies between biological forms and buildings, particularly in relationship to animals. It is shown how well the functions of the organisms can be mimicked to emanate efficient functional system in our buildings. ENERGY AND WASTE SYSTEMS Buildings, like animals, input food (energy) and expel waste materials. Building waste, in the form of combustion emissions or garbage from operations or construction, often can not be broken down by natural means. This creates an imbalance in the global system, and is ultimately unsustainable over the long term. The solutions to this problem are complex but ultimately very simple - buildings must fit within the global balance of life. Energy inputs must come from sustainable sources, and waste must be recyclable, either by natural or by technological means. The Design section will highlight many methods by which this can be achieved. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS Animal circulatory systems are often likened to water or air distribution systems in buildings. Just as many mammals and insects have heat exchangers in their

15

circulatory systems, similar systems exist for buildings, which can greatly reduce heat lost through exhaust air or combustion gases. VENTILATION SYSTEMS The ventilation systems are compared to the respiratory system of the living organisms. Buildings must perform a similar function of warming and filtering outside oxygen as required. Natural ventilation, if properly designed like by using atriums filled with plants and water can not only provide pleasurable and relaxing spaces, they provide pure, humid air which can be used to condition other spaces within the building, reduce energy consumption and makes the place comfortable. Building envelopes In buildings the outer walls could be compared to skin. Currently, most building skins function only to isolate interior from exterior, however many of the more sophisticated systems employed by animals to stay warm or cool can be applied to buildings. Ventilated cavity skins work by placing a second layer of glass on the outside of the usual window or exterior wall. This airspace, traps solar radiations just like a polar bears black skin or fur do. This heat can be used for heating and reversibly, to cool the building by opening vents at the top to create a stack effect and draw cool air into the building.

16

The Telus building retrofit in Vancouver by Peter Busby includes a new second skin with a ventilated cavity over the existing building facade.

MOVEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE Most buildings today are static entities, however adding operable elements, which respond to environmental conditions, has great potential to increase energy efficiency. Studying how muscles work could provide valuable clues to make buildings more responsive and therefore efficient.The capacity for movement would have many advantages for buildings. These could include: Solar Tracking - maximizing solar exposure throughout the day Adjustable Louvers - to tune the building to seasonal changes Shutter systems - to keep heat in or out. Wind Catchers - to either capture wind for use in ventilation, mechanical energy or electrical generation. The Venezuelan pavilion from Expo 2000 Fruito Vivas and Otto Frei has external panels, which open and close much like a flower.

17

Norman Fosters retrofit of the Reichstag in Berlin incorporates a rotating shading device in the new glass dome. In some ways, it mimics the heliotropism of plants like sunflowers as they move with the sun.

REFERENCES:

Gyorgy Doczi,(1994) The Power of Limits.Shambhala Publishing Inc., London http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/ninaaa/

www.nautilus-bio-civil.com.htm www.Bio-Architecture - ENG.htm www.biomimicry.htm

18